A train derailment could happen at any time in Washington County, causing hazardous materials to spill and harm communities.

Washington County Emergency Management is hosting a Rail Car Incident Response for Crude, Ethanol, and Other Flammable Liquids training course to educate emergency responders. The U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration will be bringing a railroad tank car to Marr Park in Ainsworth to educate responders on how to assess the scene of a rail car accident, and understand the resources needed to remediate the situation including how the railroad plays a critical role in the response.

Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator Marissa Reisen shares why the course is important, “Well we do have railroads that come right through the middle of the county and they are hauling all kinds of nasty stuff. And in the last 5-10 years there’s been quite a bit of railcar incidents. There was one just a few weeks ago in Wapello County, luckily it was just a coal train and not hazardous materials at all. But the reality of it is that they happen and we need to have our responders trained to deal with it in an effective, appropriate way to keep themselves safe and to keep the town safe.”

The day-long course is free to attend and a lunch will be served. Reisen encourages firefighters and first responders from Washington and surrounding counties to attend on Saturday September 15th. Those interested can register at Eventbrite.com through the event’s Facebook page or contact Reisen at 319-653-7794 or mreisen@co.washington.ia.us.