COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine announced Wednesday that Norfolk Southern has agreed to his idea of creating a first responder training center to improve and expand firefighter training as well as expand Norfolk Southern’s Operation Awareness and Response (OAR) program. 

What You Need To Know

  •  Gov. DeWine and Norfolk Southern are collaborating on a first responder training center in Ohio

  •  The center will provide free training for first responders across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia

  •  The location has yet to be decided but will have input from community leaders

  • Norfolk Southern will also be expanding its OAR program that connect first responders with information and training in nearby communities

The new training center will be focused on providing free training for first responders across the region, including Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

It’s also expected to strengthen coordination between railroads and first responders during emergency situations. 

The location of the center is yet to be decided but will have input from community leaders.

Until a location is identified, classes will be offered beginning March 22 at Norfolk Southern’s Moorman Yard in Bellevue, Ohio. 

“These commitments are the direct result of my conversations with Governor DeWine and other leaders, all to better support our first responders and their communities. First responders are often immediately on the scene of a rail incident and we want to ensure they have the knowledge and tools to work safely and effectively to protect the health and safety of their fellow citizens,” Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan H. Shaw said.

Norfolk Southern will also be expanding its OAR program that was created to connect first responders with information and training in Norfolk Southern communities. 

There are 12 scheduled stops for the program in 2023, and four of them will be in Ohio.

Hands-on training will take place on the program’s safety train that included a dedicated locomotive, specially equipped classrooms, and several tank cars. 

Training will also include the AskRail mobile app that allows first responders to look up commodity and response information on rail shipment from a smartphone. 

“These commitments are the direct result of my conversations with Governor DeWine and other leaders, all to better support our first responders and their communities. First responders are often immediately on the scene of a rail incident and we want to ensure they have the knowledge and tools to work safely and effectively to protect the health and safety of their fellow citizens,” Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan H. Shaw said.