Local responders prepare for rail incidents

Last Updated on April 29, 2025 by Cass County Communication Network

LOGANSPORT, IN – Responders from multiple area departments came together to participate in a “Command and Control of Train Derailments” course on Saturday, April 26, 2025. The course, funded thru an Indiana Department of Homeland Security Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant, was hosted by the Cass County Emergency Management Agency and conducted by Hazard3

This course helps prepare command staff, hazardous materials responders, and emergency management personnel to conduct a risk-based response to a train derailment.

The course focused on managing the first operational period of the emergency response and development of an incident action plan (IAP) including determining incident priorities, selecting incident objectives, response strategies, and tactical considerations.
Key tactical considerations were reviewed to help prepare responders to conduct reconnaissance, establish control zones, implement public protective actions (shelter-in-place or evacuation), fire control, and incident termination.

Course Topics also included Understanding derailments, Incident management, Working with the railroad, Establishing incident priorities and objectives, Selecting strategy and tactics, Recon and incident analysis, Using AskRail, Establishing control zones, Implementing Public protective actions, Wide area monitoring, Tabletop scenarios and Incident termination.

Given the large amount of rail traffic that passes thru Cass County on a daily basis, responders see great importance for preparing for such emergencies.

Participating agencies included EMA, Cass County Fire District 1, New Waverly Fire Department, Young America Vol. Fire Dept, White County Emergency Management Agency, Tippecanoe County Emergency Management and Porter County Emergency Management Agency.

SOURCE: News release from Cass County Emergency Management Agency