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From March 31 to April 12, the Alaska Railroad Corp. (ARRC) will provide free emergency response training sessions in 10 communities.

The "2008 Alaska Railroad Emergency Response Whistle Stop Tour" will stop in Seward, Whittier, Palmer, Meadow Lakes, Talkeetna, Healy, Clear AFS, Nenana, Fairbanks and Anchorage. The tour will target emergency responders, but also offer rail safety tips to the general public.

Firefighters, rescue technicians, medics and other front-line personnel will attend classroom courses on hazardous materials and receive train accident response training via hands-on equipment exercises and accident scenario drills. The tour also will feature a public "fair" with presentations on how to avoid or mitigate situations ranging from wildfires and natural disasters, to crime and railroad hazards.

Tour sponsors include the Alaska departments of Environmental Conservation and Health & Social Services, and Operation Lifesaver.

"These face-to-face forums allow for a true partnering with local emergency organizations," said ARRC Environmental Services and Emergency Response Manager Marc Peterson in a prepared statement. "At the same time, the traveling train provides a venue to reach everyday citizens with tools that can save lives and property."