Scot-Train educates 999 services on rail safety

Listen to this article

Scot-Train has launched a specialised training course for emergency services in an effort to raise awareness about the dangers of railways.

Scot-Train, a subsidiary of SW Global Resourcing, has adapted a comprehensive training programme which can now be used to equip the emergency services, specifically firefighters and paramedics, with the knowledge they need to before being called out on railway emergencies.

Scot-Train was established in 1997 to ensure the training requirements of the rail industry are met. The organisation has provided hundreds of trainees with the skills and knowledge to work in the demanding rail sector.

NHS Scotland has already enrolled various levels of staff onto the new course, established at the beginning of 2011. To help participants reap maximum benefit from the programme, Scot-Train has tailored it to include information on how specialised equipment, such as stretchers, can be used safely. Railway hazards and overhead line systems are included on the course, as is information on how to use hand signals to stop approaching trains and how to alert relevant rail authorities.

The programme has also been run for Strathclyde Fire & Rescue. Red Watch Commander Baggley commented, “The course provided an excellent technical and practical gateway into preparing for operational issues when involved in rail incidents. Safety is a key concern for us and we are always keen to learn about ways we can protect both our firefighters and the public.” Says

Gerry Cockram, Training Manager for Scot-Train, “It should come as no surprise that railways can be extremely dangerous. Therefore, we want to make sure emergency services are fully aware of the proper procedures to ensure those attending incidents are kept as safe as possible.”

Medics who have already attended the course have also taken part in site visits, equipping them with valuable knowledge on what to expect should they be required to attend an incident on a railway. Says Drew Sloan, Resilience Advisor for the Scottish Ambulance Services, “Staff who attended the course found it to be enlightening and very beneficial. It heightened their awareness to the dangers of working within the railway infrastructure which could prove extremely useful in the future.” Scot-Train is now inviting other emergency services to enrol on the programme.

Says Gerry Cockram, “The feedback we have received from NHS Scotland has demonstrated that our course has been useful and has boosted the confidence of participants. Hopefully more emergency services will consider the benefits for their staff and how Scot-Train can help them learn about the best ways to negotiate and identify the potential dangers railways can pose.”

For more information, please contact Scot-Train on 0141 557 6130

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Rail News

ORR review leads to 50% reduction in maximum fees for ticket refunds

New rules will mean that from 2 April the maximum fee that train operators and ticket retailers can charge...

More like this...