RAC recognized for rail safety awareness and training efforts
The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) was recognized for going beyond the normal call of duty to advance rail safety through awareness and emergency response training at the first annual TRANSCAER® Awards, held April 10 in Sherwood Park, Alta. RAC’s Director of Dangerous Goods Andy Ash, and Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Specialists Jean-Pierre Couture and Curtis Myson, each won Regional Service Awards for their efforts in promoting and growing the TRANSCAER® initiative in Ontario, Quebec and the Prairies, respectively. Ash, Couture and Myson form RAC’s Dangerous Goods Team, which has participated in more than 1,200 TRANSCAER® sessions and trained some 20,000 participants since 1999.
“Over the years, RAC’s Dangerous Goods Team has conducted hundreds of TRANSCAER® events with the assistance our member railways,” said Ash. “The team is proud accept this award and we appreciate the recognition, but our true passion is the thanks we get from the first responders that we train during these events.”
In 2017, RAC participated in 63 TRANSCAER® events and trained more than 1,230 participants.
“Congratulations to our Dangerous Goods Team on receiving this well-deserved award,” said RAC Acting President Gérald Gauthier. “To be recognized by their colleagues and peers is a testament to the work that they do every day to ensure that these essential products are handled and transported safely.”
For 30 years, the goal of TRANSCAER®, which stands for Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response, has been to work with municipal officials and first responders in communities along transportation routes to ensure that they know what products are being moved through their communities, and are prepared to respond to any potential incidents. The TRANSCAER® awards program recognizes the achievements of individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond to demonstrate, implement and advocate for the principles of the initiative. Award nominations were submitted by TRANSCAER® stakeholders, including first responders, firefighters and emergency planning officials.
The following quotes were submitted anonymously in nominations for each award-winner:
“Andy’s sustained involvement with TRANSCAER® is the backbone of the initiative, acting as a visible contact for communities seeking dangerous goods awareness training for their first responders.”
“Curtis has been a long-time champion and leader in TRANSCAER®. In 2015, he worked to build the Flammable Liquids presentations and was the main delivery point in eight Prairie Regional TRANSCAER® events.”
“Following the tragedy in Lac-Mégantic, the need to train first responders in response to railway incidents rose sharply. Jean-Pierre worked with CN, TRANSCAER® members and communities to meet this need.”
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About the Railway Association of Canada
The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) represents more than 50 freight and passenger railway companies that move more than 84 million passengers and $280 billion worth of goods in Canada each year. The RAC advocates on behalf of its members and associate members to ensure that the rail sector remains globally competitive, sustainable and, most importantly, safe. Learn more at railcandev.wpengine.com. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.