Note: This training exercise was postponed until Saturday, December 2, 2023*
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that a rail safety training drill will occur on Saturday, October 21, 2023, between 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Hartford. The emergency response drill is being coordinated in partnership with the Connecticut Southern Railroad (CSO), Hartford Fire Department, Hartford Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police as part of ongoing safety training and practice to achieve the highest level of safety along Connecticut’s freight rail lines.
The training exercise will occur in the CSO railyard along 440 Windsor Street, rain or shine. The drill is in response to recent freight incidents across the United States and is a component of ongoing safety training at the CTDOT and its freight operators. 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.
“The U.S. has recently seen several high-profile freight rail incidents,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “CTDOT is conducting this safety training so our rail staff and first responders can be prepared in the unlikely case of an incident here in our state. We are sharing this information ahead of time to prevent unnecessary public concern, as this training will mimic a real-life scenario.”
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.