ASKRAIL KEY FACTS

  • AskRail gives 2.3M+ first responders instant freight rail hazmat info.
  • It’s integrated with key emergency systems for wide access.
  • Thousands of first responders are trained annually through programs like SERTC.

For decades, freight railroads and first responders have shared a commitment to community safety. Each year, railroads partner with government and industry to train first responders for safe, rapid hazmat incident response.

In 2023 alone, freight railroads trained roughly 20,000 first responders in local communities nationwide. In addition, the industry will train 2,000 first responders at the Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC) in Pueblo, Colorado. The industry’s hazmat response training facility was recently updated with new and enhanced scenario planning and training.

To support emergency responders, Class I railroads, Amtrak, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Railinc, and AAR launched the AskRail app in 2014. The app gives first responders instant access to accurate data on hazardous materials in railcars. This access helps them make informed decisions during emergencies.

Today, more than 2.3 million first responders have access to AskRail.

AAR and the rail industry conducted a critical risk assessment to evaluate AskRail’s performance and identify improvements. The review revealed the need for a centralized, universal approach. This finding led to a decision to provide AskRail data directly to both professional and volunteer firefighters. This expansion improves access, ensures reliable communication, and streamlines information sharing for efficient emergency response.

CHEMTREC & CANUTEC

When responding to any type of hazmat incident, all professional hazmat-certified first responders are trained to use the CHEMTREC (in the U.S.) and CANUTEC (in Canada) 24/7 call centers. They assist in managing the incident. CHEMTREC and CANUTEC now have full access to AskRail data. This better supports first responders at the scene of a rail emergency.

Emergency Call Centers

82% of U.S. fire departments are predominantly volunteer, safeguarding nearly 30% of the population (source: NFPA). Unfortunately, many volunteer firefighters lack hazmat training and may not be familiar with CHEMTREC or CANUTEC. Instead, their training emphasizes contacting Emergency Communications Centers (ECC) during emergencies. Railroads are actively integrating AskRail into ECCs to enhance coverage and information access. ECCs, with constant staffing and backup power, ensure that every first responder at a rail emergency receives necessary information for an effective response.

  • Before: Once approved, individual first responders downloaded AskRail to their mobile device. This was a challenge because not all firefighters have a firehouse email to sign up, internet access in the field may be limited and new phones would require an update or re-download.
  • Now: Local dispatchers (aka Emergency Communications Centers) integrate AskRail data into incident response comms with first responders arriving at the scene of the incident. This approach enhances continuity of access and information, ensures reliability of communications streams and streamlines communications for more efficient response.

Example Features

  • Use a simple railcar ID search to see whether a railcar on a train is carrying hazmat and to view contents of entire train.
  • View a map of nearby railroad mileposts, grade crossing locations, schools, hospitals and more and follow instructions for where to establish isolation zones.
  • Access the DOT Emergency Response Guide and find emergency contact information for all Class I railroads, and Amtrak and available shortlines.

How to Request

For security reasons, only qualified emergency responders who have completed rail emergency training sponsored by one of the Class I freight railroads or at SERTC can download and use the restricted features in the AskRail app. In addition, railroads can offer the app to known emergency responders along their routes. The industry encourages state and local Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs) to integrate AskRail into operations.

Resources