New York-based RapidSOS is using a network of sensors to provide critical information to first responders should there be a train crash involving hazardous materials.

Its intelligent safety platform securely links life-saving data from connected devices, apps and sensors directly to first responders. It is working with rail operator Norfolk Southern to provide critical information for first responders in rare significant incidents.

Rail incidents involving hazardous materials are rare, but when they happen, accurate train information is critical for first responders. 

RapidSOS and Norfolk Southern’s technology, which is free to public safety agencies across the USA, provides first responders quick and easy access to cargo and hazardous material information, enables mutual aid requests, and provides ongoing training. The feature builds on similar programmes available in the industry and evolves communication in a way that better integrates first responders, the way they work and how they communicate.

“Norfolk Southern is committed to being an industry leader in safety,” said John Fleps, Norfolk Southern vice president. “When a rail incident occurs, seconds count. Through our partnership with RapidSOS, 911 call centres and first responder agencies throughout our 22-state network will have faster access to the information they need to safeguard their response, save lives and protect the communities in which we operate.”

One of the key features of this collaborative effort is the ability to provide real-time data and situational awareness to emergency response teams.

In the event of a rail emergency, Norfolk Southern will initiate a digital emergency alert through RapidSOS, digitally transmitting critical information, the location of the incident and what the train is carrying to first responders empowering a safe, swift and more informed response during a rail emergency.

The data highlight any hazardous material the train may be carrying, provide safe handling and emergency response guides for those materials, and are easily shared via text or email from 911 to field responders and any mutual aid partners.

“Our partnership with Norfolk Southern will provide first responder agencies with contextual data and information to respond in the rare event of a train emergency,” said Karin Marquez, chief public safety brand officer at RapidSOS. “We are thrilled to work with Norfolk Southern to support our heroes in public safety to keep communities prepared and safe.”

Norfolk Southern and RapidSOS conduct thousands of training hours annually, teaching emergency communications centres, firefighters, hazmat crews, law enforcement and emergency medical services to respond to emergencies. Through their combined forces, this service (rapidsos.com/rail-solutions) is available to every public safety agency at no cost.

“Prior to this partnership, telecommunicators had to manually search online databases and verbally relay critical information to field responders during rail incidents,” said Brian Fontes, CEO of the National Emergency Number Association (Nena). “911 needs innovations like this that share life-saving information digitally, quickly and intuitively.”

In partnership with public safety, RapidSOS (www.rapidsos.com) has created an intelligent safety platform that securely links life-saving data from over 540 million connected devices, apps and sensors directly to safety agents, 911 and field responders.

Since 1827, Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern (www.NorfolkSouthern.com) and its predecessor companies have moved goods and materials around the USA. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network.

• RapidSOS has announced an additional $75m raise led by funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, which closes the company’s latest round at $150m.