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Safety

Union Pacific Railroad Conducts Crude-by-Rail Safety Training Course for Emergency Responders from Eight States

Omaha, Neb., May 21, 2015

Union Pacific Railroad conducted training for 39 emergency response personnel from eight states May 13 - 15. The training focused on sharpening the emergency responders' skills to better prepare them in the unlikely event of a crude-by-rail incident in or near their respective communities.

Union Pacific proactively reaches out to fire departments as well as other emergency responders along its lines to offer comprehensive training to first responders in communities where the railroad operates. The company annually trains approximately 2,500 local, state and federal first-responders on ways to minimize the impact of a potential derailment. Union Pacific has trained nearly 38,000 public responders and almost 7,500 private responders (shippers and contractors) since 2003. This includes classroom and hands-on training. In 2015, the railroad has trained 119 emergency responders specifically on crude-by-rail transportation.

The recently completed training covered a variety of safety subjects, including identification of tank car types that transport crude; tank car fittings; tank car construction; chemical and physical properties of the different types of crude oil; and crude oil response precautions. Participants received hands-on experience in assessing tank car damage; making certain on-site repairs; controlling the release of crude oil from damaged rail cars; and crude oil fire suppression techniques.

Class members participated in a simulated crude oil fire. The simulation helped students understand how the railroad would work with them in an emergency, and how to work safely while on railroad property.

The three-day, 24-hour courses were held at the Association of American Railroads' Transportation Technology Center near Pueblo, Colorado. Union Pacific paid for all attendees' expenses, with no cost to communities or organizations.

Emergency response personnel from the following organizations attended the course:

  • California:
    • Lodi Fire Department, Lodi
    • Ventura County Fire Department, Moorpark
    • Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection, Empire
    • Sacramento Fire Department, Sacramento
    • Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Gaviota
    • Woodbridge Fire Department, Woodbridge
  • Colorado:
    • Aurora Fire Department, Aurora
    • Gypsum Fire Protection District, Gypsum
    • Greater Eagle Fire District, Eagle
  • Illinois:
    • Dixon Fire Department, Dixon
    • Cahokia Volunteer Fire Department, Cahokia
    • Berwyn Fire Department, Berwyn
    • Mt. Vernon Fire Department, Mt. Vernon
    • Broadview Fire Department, Broadview
    • Dixon Rural Fire Protection District, Dixon
    • Grant Park Fire District, Grant Park
  • Louisiana:
    • Plaquemine Fire Department, Plaquemine
    • Bossier Parish Fire District 7, Plan Dealing
    • Pointe Coupee Fire District 4, Livonia
  • Nebraska:
    • Bellevue Fire Department, Bellevue
  • Oregon:
    • Harrisburg Fire and Rescue, Eugene
    • Hood River Fire Department, Hood River
    • Klamath County Fire District 1, Klamath Falls
  • Texas:
    • Ft. Worth Fire Department, Ft. Worth
    • Corpus Christi Fire Department, Corpus Christi
    • Denton Fire Department, Denton
  • Washington:
    • Tacoma Fire Department, Tacoma

Future crude-by-rail courses will be held:

  • October 14 - 16
  • November 4 - 6

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2005-2014, Union Pacific invested more than $31 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.

The statements and information contained in the news releases provided by Union Pacific speak only as of the date issued. Such information by its nature may become outdated, and investors should not assume that the statements and information contained in Union Pacific's news releases remain current after the date issued. Union Pacific makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this information.

Media Contact

Mark Davis
402-544-5459
mwdavis@up.com
@davisuprr