Resources

NS Railroad Emergency Response Planning Guide

The Norfolk Southern Emergency Response Planning Guide has been developed by Norfolk Southern Railway Company (Norfolk Southern) to assist local emergency response organizations in their efforts to plan for and respond to railway related incidents or emergencies. It is also designed to be utilized as a reference resource, and hand-out to supplement training programs presented by Norfolk Southern to the emergency response community.

Because this Guide is designed to augment the local response plan(s), it is purposely brief to cover only the key information that would be needed by planners and response organizations if an incident involving Norfolk Southern should occur. The Guide is subdivided into four main sections, addressing Prevention, Preparedness, Response, and Recognition & Identification. Appendices are included which contain other pertinent railroad information.

Download

NS HazMat Traffic Request Form

Data on the common types of hazardous materials being transported through local communities are useful for local emergency planners in developing effective and realistic emergency response plans. To request information specific to your jurisdiction send an email request to NS at HMTraffic@nscorp.com. The request must include a written request on official department letterhead and the completed NS HazMat Traffic Form Request.

AAR Field Guide To Tank Cars

Field Guide to Tank Cars is intended to be used by emergency responders and others involved with railroad tank cars.  It provides information on the types, safety systems, stenciling, and markings of tank cars utilized to transport regulated (hazardous materials/dangerous goods) and non-regulated commodities.

NS HM-1 Hazardous Materials Instruction for Rail

These rules govern all employees of Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) and its railroad subsidiaries. One of the industry’s primary focuses is the safe transportation of hazardous materials. Compliance with the HM-1 HazMat Rules is required to handle hazmat shipments safely and efficiently in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations

DOT Emergency Response Guide

The Emergency Response Guidebook contains general emergency response information for hazardous materials. To use the guides (orange bordered pages), you must know either the DOT 4-digit identification number (yellow bordered pages), the proper shipping name (blue bordered pages), or the placard affixed to the car.  The Emergency Response Guidebook also
contains initial isolation and protective action distances (green bordered pages) for some commodities.

This guidebook will assist responders in making initial decisions upon arriving at the scene of a dangerous goods incident.  It should not be considered as a substitute for emergency response training, knowledge or sound judgment.  The 2012 ERG does not address all possible circumstances that may be associated with a dangerous goods incident. It is primarily designed for use at a dangerous goods incident occurring on a highway or railroad.

PHMSA - Commodity Preparedness and Incident Management Reference Sheet – Petroleum Crude Oil

Developed in conjunction with experts from the hazmat emergency response community, railroads and industry, this document provides emergency response organizations with a standard incident management framework based on pre-incident planning and preparedness principles and best practices. The reference sheet covers transportation safety and precautions, hazard assessment and risk, rail safety procedures, logistics, and the tools, equipment and resources necessary to prepare for and respond to crude oil rail transportation incidents.

PHMSA - Lessons Learned Report on Crude Oil by Rail Emergency Response

In May 2014, in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, PHMSA hosted a “Lessons Learned” Roundtable forum that consisted of a panel of fire chiefs and emergency management officials from some of the jurisdictions that experienced a crude oil or ethanol rail transportation incident. The purpose of this forum was to share firsthand knowledge about their experiences responding to and managing these significant rail incidents.

NFPA / Fire Protection Research Foundation – High Hazard Flammable Trains (HHFT) On-Scene Incident Commander Field Guide

This Guide (July 2016) provides tactical guidance and information for the On-Scene Incident Commander responsible for the management of bulk flammable liquid emergencies involving High Hazard Flammable Trains (HHFT), with a focus upon petroleum crude oil and ethanol. The application and use of a risk-based response (RBR) methodology for both planning and response purposes are critical success factors in the successful management of a HHFT incident.

Chronology of DOT Actions on Safe Transportation of Flammable Liquids By Rail

PHMSA and FRA are committed to immediate and long-term solutions to prevent derailments involving flammable liquids and, in the event of a derailment, the consequences such an incident could have on individuals and communities. The PHMSA/FRA action plan includes unannounced spot inspections, sampling, and monitoring the movement and classification of crude oil within and out of oil fields throughout the U.S. In addition, we are engaging all stakeholders involved in shipping crude oil and other flammable liquids by rail to find common solutions to operational issues.