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BNSF Railway Co.’s grade crossing safety team is preparing to launch an emergency responder course that will be offered to cities throughout the country. The course is designed to educate firefighters, paramedics and other local emergency personnel about safe ways to respond to an incident on or near a railroad.

The course will include four hours of classroom training and an optional two hours of on-site instruction to teach students about rail cars and locomotives, and conduct a mock drill.

Three years ago, team members began developing a student and instructor’s manual, and updating a PowerPoint presentation for the course. The team is awaiting approval from Operation Lifesaver to begin offering the course nationwide.

In January, team members held the first class in Memphis, Tenn., designed to teach safety trainers how to present the course to local responders. Attended by trainers from Canadian National Railway Co., Canadian Pacific Railway, CSX Transportation, Kansas City Southern and Amtrak, the two-day class included classroom presentations and hands-on courses using various rolling stock.