Field Personnel Respond: Incident Command System (ICS) for Extreme Events on the Railroad

Planning, Training, and Exercising for Crisis Events on the Railroad

The “Field Personnel Respond: Incident Command System (ICS) for Extreme Events on the Railroad” project provides a comprehensive evidence-based suite of resources to help railroads prepare for and respond to emergencies, particularly those driven by climate change. Developed in alignment with the federally mandated Incident Command System (ICS), these materials are designed to ensure seamless coordination across multi-jurisdictional and multi-professional teams to help protect infrastructure and save lives.

The content below includes everything needed to build ICS kits and implement effective training on ICS for rail professionals and equip personnel with the tools and knowledge necessary to enhance safety, accountability, and operational efficiency during crisis situations.

As climate-driven disasters such as wildfires, floods, and earthquakes grow in frequency and intensity, rail professionals may increasingly find themselves first on scene during an emergency and therefore responsible for reducing harm. The documents and instructor-led training decks support the preparation of individuals and organizations, emphasizing the importance of readiness at all levels and especially in the first critical moments of an emergency.

Two versions of the instructional materials have been developed to support effective delivery of the ICS for Railroad Professionals course. The instructor version includes comprehensive teaching resources, detailed guidance for building the ICS Supervisor’s Folder, and facilitation notes to assist instructors in leading the course. This version is ready for distribution to all individuals who will teach the ICS for railroad professionals.

The student version is a digital course notebook intended for distribution to all participants. It mirrors the content of the instructor guide’s initial sections but excludes facilitation scripts and answer cues. It also includes ICS forms and draft Quick Start Cards, which students will use to assemble their Supervisor Folders and actively participate in the sand table exercise. These materials are designed to promote hands-on learning and ensure students are well-prepared to implement ICS principles in real-world scenarios.

This is part of an ongoing series of publications/resources focused on preparing railroad organizations to respond to extreme events. The first publication in this series is Identify the Problems: Threat and Hazard Inventory and Risk Assessment (THIRA).