Governor Brian P. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp joined Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) President and CEO, Alan H. Shaw, at a first responder safety training session Tuesday. The event is part of the railroad's free, hands-on program, Operation Awareness & Response, which educates more than 5,000 first responders annually.

Gov. Kemp was onsite as first responders received instruction, toured the locomotives, and interacted with local emergency response teams. The programming provided an opportunity to highlight Norfolk Southern's strong partnerships with first responders along the company's 22-state network. The training, conducted year-round, provides attendees with essential knowledge on responding to railroad incidents. 

Norfolk Southern, Gov. Kemp promote first responder safety training. SOURCE: Norfolk Southern

"Norfolk Southern is a valued corporate citizen in our state," said Governor Kemp. "With their headquarter operation being anchored here, they create thousands of Georgia jobs while also supporting our thriving logistics industry. Yesterday's training event was a reminder of their dedication to proactive partnerships with first responders on all levels in service of public safety, and we're thankful for Norfolk Southern's commitment to delivering goods all over the state and nation with safety in mind, especially during this National Safety Month."

"Governor Kemp and the First Lady share our deep respect for first responders and commitment to ensuring they have access to the best preparation and training here in Georgia, so it was fitting that we had an opportunity to host them during National Safety Month," said Norfolk Southern President and CEO, Alan Shaw. "At Norfolk Southern, our goal is to safely and efficiently move the goods that power our American economy, and we have several initiatives underway to make our safe railroad even safer."

To help first responders learn how trains operate, classes are held aboard a specially designed Norfolk Southern safety train. The train is outfitted with boxcar classrooms, tank cars, and a locomotive for hands-on learning. Instruction covers seven topics: 

• Safety Around the Railroad

• Tank Car Identification & Assessment

• Tank Car Valves & Fittings

• Locomotive Emergencies

• Responding to Railroad Emergencies

• AskRail Mobile App

• Response Strategies & Tactics

For more information about Norfolk Southern's Operation Awareness & Response program, visit joinnsoar.com.