Through the work of county-based local emergency planning committees (LEPCs), in partnership with the rail industry and Oregon's regional hazmat team program, the Hazmat by Rail program funds preparedness efforts such as tabletop exercises, rail-specific hazmat training, commodity flow studies, and purchasing rail response equipment. Click here to find out if your community has an LEPC or rail response plan.
2021 Hazmat by Rail Equipment Distribution Initiative
The Hazmat by Rail Equipment Distribution Initiative is an opportunity for Oregon’s fire agencies to increase equipment capabilities to respond to rail incidents involving the release of hazardous materials. For this initiative, fire agencies can request quantities from a prescribed list of equipment. If the fire agency is awarded equipment, the OSFM will procure and ship the equipment to the fire agency. Once received, the equipment will become the property of the fire agency.
To qualify for this initiative, fire agencies must have a rail in their jurisdiction or provide mutual aid to neighboring fire agencies with rail. Priority for the initiative will be high-risk communities identified in the 2020 Hazmat by Rail annual report to the Oregon Legislature (fire agencies located in Multnomah, Lane, Deschutes, and Klamath counties). Secondary preference will be assigned to agencies with Class 1 railroads.
The application period closed on March 15, 2021. For questions, please contact the program coordinator.
HazMat by Rail Equipment List
Class I Rail Line Map
Training
The OSFM created several levels of hazmat rail training from basic to advanced. These training opportunities were made and are provided with support from our rail partners and talented instructors within the Regional Hazardous Materials Response Teams.
The first level of training is provided to local fire agencies as a brief overview (approx. 3 hours) of basic hazmat rail response and preparedness.
The second level is a hazmat rail emergency response operations course which includes hands-on practice with response and mitigation tactics to be used by firefighters on rail incidents.
The final, most advanced course is designed for Oregon's Regional Hazardous Materials Response Teams. It provides technical expertise as a tank car specialist (TCS) and covers the technical and job-specific functions of a hazmat team member during a hazmat rail incident. Having team members with this level of expertise boosts Oregon's capability to respond to these incidents to protect people, their property, and the environment.
To request training for your fire agency or organization, please email Training Specialist
Richard.Heuchert@osfm.oregon.gov.
Training Courses