First responders from across southern Quebec are in Valleyfield this week to learn how to deal with railway emergencies.

They are taking hands-on courses at a special rolling classroom called the CSX Safety Train.

Paramedics, firefighters, police officers and others who often deal with emergencies are getting the chance to see and touch train equipment, and learn exactly what does what.

"They will actually see a relief valve, they will see how big a tank carrier is, the wheels and rail and locomotive, things they may not normally come in contact with," said CSX instructor Robert Rohauer.

Employees of the Ministries of Transportation and Environment are also among the 120 people taking special classes, and learning how to cope with a train disaster.

"They get a good feel for how big it is, what's involved if they have to respond, if there's some incident that they may have to come out on the railroad to respond to," said Rohauer.

Shipping company CSX developed its safety trains about 20 years ago when it realized that many emergency personnel were unfamiliar with railyards.

Given the immense loads carried by rail, and their possibly hazardous nature, the company decided it was important to train emergency workers.

"It's really just basic education," said Justin Wilson. "Get them familiar with the railroad, our operations, our paperwork, how it runs, what could be in the containers, how to identify them. Just give them good information to make good information on the ground when they're in an emergency situation."

Brad Miller, a volunteer firefighter from Hichinbrooke, is among those happy for the opportunity to take the course and learn what to do. 

"What to expect when we arrive on the scene, how to secure the scene, how to secure the car and how to look for leaks and secure the leaks," was among what Miller learned during the course.

Environmental workers such as Melanie Brousseau said this type of training is crucial. 

"We deal a lot with derailed trains and it's a good idea to follow this formation because we kind of use it every day," said Brousseau.
 
Rail travel is very safe, but given the large loads any problems that occur end up being large.

The CSX safety train is used throughout eastern North America, and after its work in Quebec it will travel to Buffalo, New York.