New Mexico Rail Runner Express hosts 3-Day Hands-On Emergency Training

Emergency Responders from Belen to Santa Fe gather in Albuquerque for valuable Railway Training

(Albuquerque, NM - October 18 2007)- Nationwide safety statistics show that a train collides with a vehicle or a person - on average - about once every two hours. With a commitment to end such occurrences here in New Mexico, and to prepare for any future incidents, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express is hosting a three-day Hands-on Emergency Training next week for all emergency responders in the Rail Runner corridor between Belen and Santa Fe, including responders from the Pueblos.

“This is the largest training we’ve done to date”, says Lawrence Rael, Executive Director for the Mid-Region Council of Governments. “This training teaches responders everything from how to exercise correct safety practices at a railway incident – to proper evacuation of train passengers.”

The Training will include presentations from staff representing the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, Amtrak, and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company. Each day, responders will get morning classroom time, and finish up with hands-on training with Rail Runner trains.

Rail Runner Hands-On Emergency Training

Tuesday, October 23rd from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Mid-Region Council of Governments at 809 Copper Avenue NW

Wednesday, October 24th from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Alvarado Transportation Center at 100 1st Street SW

Thursday, October 25th from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Alvarado Transportation Center at 100 1st Street SW

PLEASE NOTE: Each of the days will cover the same material as they are scheduled to accommodate as many shifts in the various departments as possible. Individual responders need only attend one of the three training days.

On Friday, all emergency response personnel are invited and encouraged to attend a special day of training offered by the National Transit Institute on the subject of Terrorist Activity.

Terrorist Activity Recognition and Reaction Training

Friday, October 26th from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Mid-Region Council of Governments at 809 Copper Avenue NW
 

Contacts: 

• Augusta Meyers, MRCOG Communications Mgr. 505-239-8612, ameyers@mrcog-nm.gov
• S.U. Mahesh, NM Department of Transportation (505) 490-0976

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