Skip to main content
Home
police car, first responders, fire truck

Emergency responders are a critical rail safety partner. Whether responding to incidents or preventing them, emergency responders must stay alert whenever the roadway crosses train tracks, and always expect a train at any railroad track, at any time and in any direction.

Know what to do near railroad tracks. Collisions between trains and vehicles or pedestrians occur approximately every three hours in the U.S.

Always expect a train at any railroad track, at any time and in any direction.

First Responder Training
Trains always have the right of way and cannot stop quickly. Train tracks are considered live, active tracks until there is confirmation from the railroad company that train traffic has been stopped.
Railroad companies need to be notified immediately of emergencies on railroad tracks. Locate the blue and white emergency notification sign, and call the number provided for help.

Emergency responders and dispatchers - be aware that each crossing has a blue and white ENS sign with a specific 800 number and crossing identification number.

 

Watch our 30-second PSA
a police officer next to a car near a railroad crossing

OFFICERS AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS ARE NOT IMMUNE TO INCIDENTS INVOLVING A TRAIN.

Since 1877, more than 200 officers have died as a result of a collision with a train.

Since 2012, nine emergency response personnel have been injured in collisions with trains.

Source: Federal Railroad Administration
a fire truck near a train car

YOUR SAFETY FIRST

Always expect a train—on any track, at any time, in either direction.

As you perform your daily duties, you may become complacent about the tracks, warning devices, and the possibility of approaching trains.

When responding to the scene of a collision or other emergency, avoid becoming focused on the call and distracted from the hazards along the route.