UTU, TRRA seek anti-terrorist training grant
Written by jrood
The United Transportation Union and the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis are jointly seeking an anti-terrorist security grant from the Department of Homeland Security. If the grant is approved, the UTU and TRRA will collaborate on a three-year project to train front-line TRRA employees to enhance security awareness. The project proposes joint UTU/TRRA creation of a security awareness manual, plus emergency preparedness classroom training, drills and exercises that will present various terrorist scenarios and means of recognizing, reporting and responding to terrorist threats against TRRA facilities. "The nature of TRRA's operation, its importance to national rail-network reliability and its location in the heart of a major U.S. city could make TRRA a high-priority target for foreign terrorists as well as disturbed individuals," said UTU International employee, Bruce Feltmeyer. The UTU is currently working with Amtrak to develop training of conductors, assistant conductors, on-board service personnel and yard employees to enhance their abilities to recognize behavioral traits and deal with unruly passengers. Additionally, discussions are underway with Class 1 freight railroads regarding joint UTU/railroad applications for federal grants to develop similar training programs for front-line Class 1 employees. The DHS is expected to provide a decision regarding the grant in August.
