FRA's Proposed Rulemaking to Clarify Emergency Preparedness Requirements

A notice of proposed rulemaking, from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), would clarify some requirements of current emergency preparedness standards for passenger trains. The agency reports the rulemaking also would address issues that have come about since the standard were developed in 1998. The proposed rulemaking would:

• ensure that personnel who communicate with first responders receive continuous training, and are inspected and tested on those skills;
• specify  efficiency testing and inspection requirements for railroad employees;
• limit FRA's need to approve administrative changes to approved emergency preparedness plans;
• clarify that railroads must develop procedures in their preparedness plans for safe evacuation of passengers with disabilities.

Public comments can be submitted until Aug. 27, 2012. For more information, visit FRA's website.