Norfolk Southern Whistle-Stop Train Delivers Safety Training to Emergency Responders in Georgia, Carolinas, and Virginia

PRNewswire/ -- A special train will travel to Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia Sept. 15-19 to provide emergency preparedness training to first responders as part of the 2008 Norfolk Southern TRANSCAER Whistle-Stop Tour.

TRANSCAER (Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response) is a nationwide program that assists communities in preparing for and responding to a possible hazardous material transportation incident.

"The Whistle-Stop Tour brings emergency preparedness training to response organizations and educates communities near major rail routes about rail equipment, chemical transportation, and the importance of planning for potential hazardous material transportation emergencies," said Chuck Wehrmeister, Norfolk Southern's vice president safety and environmental.

The tour kicks off in Austell, Ga., and makes stops in Greenville, S.C., Charlotte, N.C., Greensboro, N.C., and Roanoke, Va. More than 1,200 emergency responders are expected to participate in the training programs taught by chemical and rail transportation experts.

At each location, state and local emergency planning committees, emergency responders, and government officials can participate in hands-on drills and training sessions. Railroad training tank cars, specialized emergency response vehicles, and over-the-road tank trucks will be on display. More than 250 participants are expected at each stop.

This is the ninth TRANSCAER train Norfolk Southern has sponsored since 1994. More information, including local contacts, tour times, and program information, is available at www.transcaer.org. TRANSCAER members include volunteer representatives from the chemical manufacturing, transportation and distribution industries, and government. TRANSCAER sponsors include the Association of American Railroads, American Chemistry Council, The Chlorine Institute, Chemical Educational Foundation, CHEMTREC(R), National Tank Truck Carriers Inc., U.S. Department of Energy (Environmental Management Office), and the Renewable Fuels Association.

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Isakson, Chambliss Announce Over $600,000 in Funding for Georgia’s First Responders

U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) today announced $609,226.88 in Fiscal Year 2007 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP) awards for Georgia.

The funding is provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency at the Department of Homeland Security.

“This funding will go a long way to help ensure that Georgia’s first responders have the resources necessary to protect families and communities across the state,” said Isakson.

“Local firefighters and emergency workers provide our first defense to natural disasters, accidents and terrorist attacks,” Chambliss said. “It is because these brave men and women are often the first on the scene of any incident that we must continue to ensure they have the tools and training they need to do their jobs safely and efficiently. I look forward to continuing to work with local fire departments and emergency responders across the state to ensure they have the resources they need.”

CEDAP provides smaller communities and rural areas with technology and equipment, together with training and technical assistance, to help enhance first responder capabilities throughout the nation. CEDAP provides resources such as communications interoperability equipment, information sharing technology, chemical detection devices, sensors, personal protective equipment and rescue tools and training in how to use the equipment, devices and technology.

The Georgia grants are listed below:

Alto Police Department – Alto, Ga. - $11,794 for Law Enforcement
Athens-Clarke County Police Department – Athens, Ga. - $11,500 for Law Enforcement
Bartow County Emergency Management Agency – Cartersville, Ga. - $30,935.80 for Emergency Management
Berlin Police Department – Berlin, Ga. - $38,764.62 for Law Enforcement
Calhoun Police Department – Calhoun, Ga. - $8,499 for Law Enforcement
Canton Police Department – Canton, Ga. - $26,900 for Law Enforcement
Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services – Canton, Ga. - $15,300 for Fire Department
Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office – Canton, Ga. - $11,794 for Law Enforcement
City of Climax Police Department – Climax, Ga. - $38,764.62 for Law Enforcement
City of Hinesville Police Department – Hinesville, Ga. - $11,794 for Law Enforcement
Colquitt Police Department – Colquitt, Ga. - $11,500 for Law Enforcement
Cordele Police Department – Cordele, Ga. - $11,500 for Law Enforcement
Douglas County Emergency Management Agency – Douglasville, Ga. - $24,175 for Emergency Management
Dublin Police Department – Dublin, Ga. - $8,499 for Law Enforcement
Early County Sheriff’s Office – Blakely, Ga. - $24, 175 for Law Enforcement
Euharlee Police Department – Euharlee, Ga. - $11,794 for Law Enforcement
Georgia Ports Authority – Savannah, Ga. - $8,499 for Law Enforcement
Georgia Tech Police Department – Atlanta, Ga. - $32,274.90 for Law Enforcement
Henry County Police Department – McDonough, Ga. - $24,175 for Law Enforcement
Hickory Flat Fire Department, Inc. – Canton, Ga. - $12,936.15 for Fire Department
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office – Louisville, Ga. - $3,717 for Law Enforcement
Kingsland Police Department – Kingsland, Ga. - $11,500 for Law Enforcement
LaGrange Police Department – LaGrange, Ga. - $11,794 for Law Enforcement
Laurens County Fire Department – Dublin, Ga. - $30,935.80 for Fire Department
Laurens County Sheriff’s Office – Dublin, Ga. - $8,499 for Law Enforcement
Leesburg Police Department – Leesburg, Ga. - $11,794 for Law Enforcement
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Lincolnton, Ga. - $12,936.15 for Law Enforcement
Morgan County Sheriff’s Office – Madison, Ga. - $11,500 for Law Enforcement
Norcross Police Department – Norcross, Ga. - $12,000 for Law Enforcement
Perry Police Department – Perry, Ga. - $11,794 for Law Enforcement
St. Marys Fire Department – St. Marys, Ga. - $12,919.94 for Fire Department
St. Marys Police Department – St. Marys, Ga. - $11,794 for Law Enforcement
Summerville Fire Department – Summerville, Ga. - $32,274.90 for Fire Department
Taylor County Sheriff’s Office – Butler, Ga. - $11,500 for Law Enforcement
Union County Emergency Management Agency - Blairsville, Ga. - $11,794 for Emergency Management
Woodstock Police Department – Woodstock, Ga. - $26,900 for Law Enforcement