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First Responders: Tell Secretary Chertoff to Keep Our Railways Safe
We urge all law enforcement officers, firefighters, nurses, doctors and EMTs to fill out the following appeal. It has been five years since terrorists attacked our country; yet, little has been done to secure the infrastructure of the American rail network.
Despite warnings from the FBI that the 230,000-mile rail system is a likely terrorist target, rail corporations have reduced security staff while relying on high tech processing of cargo and passengers. In addition, the rail corporations have not provided adequate emergency situation training for their employees.
The Teamsters represent more than 70,000 men and women who work on the nation’s freight rail and transit system everyday. They have reported to us that there are many security lapses that leave the rail system open to terrorists. Once you fill out the appeal and submit it, we will collect the data and submit it to Michael Chertoff, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Download HIGH ALERT: Workers Warn of Security Gaps on Nation's Railroads (PDF), which discloses the dangers facing the public and the first responders who try to protect them.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Keep Our Nation's Railways Safe
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
Mr. Michael Chertoff
Secretary
United States Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20528
Dear Mr. Chertoff:
As a First Responder--law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical services provider, hazardous materials handler, physician or nurse--I am among those who will be called to service in the event of a hazardous materials spill, accident, or terrorist attack on the nation's rail system. I am deeply disturbed to learn that the safety and security of the rail network is fraught with vulnerabilities:
The FBI has declared the U.S. rail network a likely target for terrorists, and the Department of Transportation calls the materials shuttling along the rail lines weapons of mass destruction. The Chlorine Institute says a 90-ton tank car loaded targeted by an explosive device could create a toxic cloud 40 miles long and 10 miles wide. According to the U.S. Naval Research Lab, such a toxic plume could kill 100,000 people in 30 minutes. It is not uncommon for such tank cars to sit in easily accessible and unattended rail yards for hours.
Workers who responded to the Teamsters Rail Conference Safe Rails/Secure America survey of safety and security measures on the U.S. rail network report they have no system--other than the railroad radio--to alert First Responders of a hijack, attack, or other emergency. They have received little or no training with regard to security or their roles in the rail carriers' security plan. They have had inadequate training in safety/terrorism prevention; inspections of infrastructure; hazardous materials; or OSHA's Emergency Action and/or Emergency Response plans.
Such vulnerabilities place my life, the lives of rail workers and millions of American residents in jeopardy in the event of an attack on the rail network.
I call on the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration to protect American lives by demanding that rail carriers immediately implement a viable security plan to be enforced by the TSA.
Sincerely,
First Responders for Rail Security
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Campaign Launched:
September 01, 2006
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