The Prairie Regional TransCAER® Committee hosted a TransCAER event in Edmonton, AB from August 07-10th, 2012. The event was held at CN’s Walker yard with 194 individuals attending. Local First Responders (career and volunteer), Government agencies, local Shippers / Loaders and CN Mechanical personnel participated in 1.5 hour “hands-on” training sessions that were scheduled at various times throughout each day. The training included CCPX911 and a CN locomotive. Seven members of the Edmonton Police Service Tactical Operations unit attended as well.

TransCAER, which stands for Transportation Community Awareness Emergency Response, is focussed on the transportation of dangerous goods by rail, but the overall program is originated by the chemical producers. Attendees benefited from this unique training and take away a good working knowledge of what it is like to work in a railway environment and the training and procedures that railways perform to ensure the safe transportation of dangerous goods.

DOW (Fort Saskatchewan) and Quantum Murray, a local Transportation Emergency Response Service Provider (TERSP), had response units on-site for the attendees to view response equipment used in emergencies.

This event could not have taken place without the commitment, dedication and professionalism from the following companies and associations demonstrating their full support and commitment of this valuable training program:

CN Rail, CP Rail, ERCO Worldwide, DOW, INEOS and the RAC Dangerous Goods Team.

The PRTC,will be hosting more events in Alberta and BC throughout August and September. Dates and locations are as follows: Lethbridge, AB (August 23-25th), Cranbrook, BC (Sept 07-08th) and Calgary, AB (Sept 15-27th).

Please contact Curtis Myson, TDG Specialist at curtism@railcan.ca or 780.619.2763 for more information.