Tennessee Valley First Responders receive free railway hazmat training

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Fire Department participates in many training’s throughout the year. Today, they got a special experience. They had a training with Norfolk Southern on their Railway Hazmat Training.

Jeff DeGraff, a Norfolk Southern Spokesman, says, “Here in Chattanooga, this is a railroad town and for Norfolk Southern a very important hub. So, you see a lot of trains coming through here. Freight Railroads can carry just about anything that you can think of. From everyday supplies that you find in your house to chemicals that are used in manufacturing and some of those chemicals can be rather dangerous.”

Chattanooga Fire Department was not the only group participating.

First Responders from all around the region had a chance to participate in the hands on training.

They learned how to deal with hazardous materials and other potentially dangerous items

“We want to make sure that the community feels safe, confident and comfortable knowing that trains move through Chattanooga and the rest of the region. We have gone out of our way to make sure that everyone is prepared”, adds DeGraff.

The Chattanooga Fire Department had a first hand experience this weekend when firefighters had to extinguish a fire inside of a standing rail car that was full of coal.

Courtesy: Chattanooga Fire Department

Chattanooga Fire Department’s Chief of Operations, Rick Boatwright says,”This is something that we work with all of the industries in Chattanooga and Norfolk Southern being one of them. Since there are so many products that travel through our area.”

Norfolk Southern hosts these free training’s every few years.