Domestic Preparedness Journal has published an article providing a high level overview of how hazardous materials (hazmat) are shipped by rail and what goes into preparing and responding to a hazmat-related train derailment, offering helpful guidance for emergency managers and other stakeholders that deal with dangerous chemicals.

Of special note is the importance of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s Emergency Response Guidebook, which provides the guidelines for how the initial response to a hazmat transportation incident should be handled. Emergency responders can also request access to AskRail, a mobile app that allows railroad companies to provide “immediate access to accurate, timely data about what type of hazardous materials a railcar is carrying.” This article emphasizes how much planning and preparation goes into regularly transporting hazardous materials by rail. Members with assets located near rail lines should consider engaging with these stakeholders and building partnerships to conduct preparedness activities, such as trainings or tabletop exercises, to increase resilience and mitigate impacts of potential future derailments. Read more at Domestic Preparedness Journal.