The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that a rail safety training drill will occur on Saturday, October 19, 2024, between 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Old Saybrook. This exercise will test the emergency response for train crews, dispatchers, and first responders called to handle a passenger train emergency. The emergency response drill being held in partnership with the FBI, Connecticut State Police, Old Saybrook Emergency Management Service, Amtrak, and CTrail operators as part of ongoing training to ensure the highest level of safety along the rail line.
The training drill will consist of calls to on-duty emergency first responders dispatched to the scene and radio communication between all participants. The training will occur near the vicinity of the Old Saybrook Station, 455 Boston Post Rd.
The routine drill is required by the Federal Railroad Administration and is a component of ongoing safety training at the CTDOT. It is designed to reinforce and fine-tune emergency response protocols of train crews, dispatchers, first responders, and others, as well as the coordination and real-life application of communication and chain-of-command incident management protocols.
“This exercise is an important part of continuous training that train crews and first responders undertake to be prepared for any emergency response situation,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “While the public may hear or see emergency response efforts near the Old Saybrook Station, please know this is just a simulation. We are alerting the public ahead of time to prevent concern or worry.”
The drill supplements the extensive and ongoing training for all involved groups. After the simulation concludes, participants will meet to share their observations and discuss insights learned from the exercise.
CTDOT asks the media and members of the public to refrain from attempting to be onsite for the training exercise. First responders, volunteers, train personnel, and participants must fully focus on the training exercise.