Local firefighters and first responders recently showed up at CN’s Harrison Yard in Memphis, Tenn. But they weren’t responding to an emergency. Instead, they were invited to the yard to learn more about safety protocols, emergency preparedness, and how they can work together with CN to keep its employees, facilities and the community safe in case any incidents arise.
The Harrison Yard safety training and tour for 12 Memphis Fire Department members was organized by Greg “Spinner” Vaughan, CN Dangerous Goods Officer based in Memphis, and focused on fostering relationships and proactive planning.
“It’s all about protecting and saving the lives of our crews, first responders and the communities we serve. We’re always looking for opportunities to connect and reinforce our partnership with the public, and we ensure CN employees have a safe work environment,” said Vaughan.
“Our Dangerous Goods officers are CN ambassadors and dedicated to safety at all times. Our team builds and bolsters relationships with all the communities we pass through. It’s being a good neighbor and making sure everyone is informed and prepared,” said CN Dangerous Goods Director Anthony Ippolito.
This was one of hundreds of first responder trainings and public events that the CN Dangerous Goods team coordinates every year to ensure the safety of its employees and communities along its network. The team also supports incident management best practices, regulatory compliance related to the safe transport of dangerous goods, and other emergency preparedness and prevention programs.
Harrison Yard—with nearly 400 employees and 1,300 railcars processed daily—is the second largest CN yard in the U.S. During the recent training, first responders received a hands-on tour of two locomotives, fuel storage areas and the on-site rail car and locomotive repair shops. They also learned the ins and outs of a rail yard, including how the refueling and used oil recovery operations work, and procedures related to locomotive and crew safety.
“The tour provided a real-world appreciation for the scope and scale of our operations,” says Vaughan, who has worked at CN for 10 years and is a former firefighter. “Taking time for advance preparation and planning helps improve response times and builds first responders’ knowledge. Should a CN employee ever need to call 911, the yard visits ensure first responders know where to go, what to expect and how to provide help.”
CN was also the first Class 1 railroad to offer active incident training facilities, to provide hands-on exercises and equipment to simulate emergencies like derailments. The facilities are at CN’s Training Campuses in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Homewood, Ill.
More information is available here.
