The Lehrte Volunteer Fire Brigade, hazardous materials specialists, and GATX experts trained together on a realistic tank railcar incident to strengthen emergency preparedness and rail safety.

Preparing for Real-Life Emergencies
Safe transportation starts long before a railcar enters service. It starts with preparation.
That’s why the GATX Training Academy Campus in Lehrte recently hosted its first joint emergency response exercise, bringing together GATX Rail Europe, the Lehrte Volunteer Fire Brigade, and the local hazardous materials (CBRN) response unit for a realistic training scenario.

The exercise simulated a hazardous substance leak from a tank railcar carrying a product identified by UN number 1662. Following the GAMS principle (Recognize the hazard, Secure the area, Rescue people, and Alert specialist responders), first responders focused on rescuing injured persons and carrying out immediate decontamination before the CBRN unit took over the technical response.

From Rescue to Hazard Containment
Once evacuated, the specialist team identified the simulated leak at a flange connection and successfully contained it by tightening the affected bolts and nuts. The scenario enabled emergency services to practice coordinated response procedures under realistic conditions while strengthening cooperation between all participating teams.

Learning from the GATX Tank Railcar
Following the practical exercise, participants had the opportunity to inspect the tank railcar up close, including its interior. GATX experts explained the railcar’s design, fittings, valves, and connections, providing valuable insights into the safe handling of tank railcars and the transportation of hazardous goods.
Joint exercises like these are an essential part of emergency preparedness. By sharing knowledge, testing procedures under realistic conditions, and strengthening cooperation with emergency services, GATX continues to advance what matters most: the safe transportation of hazardous goods across Europe’s rail network.

A sincere thank you to the Lehrte Volunteer Fire Brigade and the CBRN response unit for their excellent cooperation and commitment. By bringing together rail industry experts and emergency responders, the GATX Training Academy continues to strengthen one of the industry’s most valuable assets: shared knowledge that helps keep people, communities, and rail transportation safe.