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| Norfolk Southern Corporation | Volume 4, Issue 7, July 2004 |
Inside newsbreak: NS earns 2003 TRANSCAER National Achievement Award Toyota recognizes NS for logistics excellence Six Sigma program offered to vendors NS Sinquefield to attend FBI National Academy We get letters: heartfelt thanks from a father to his co-workers Goode honored as Norfolk's Downtowner of the Year, Announces development of museum NS sponsors Red Cross award for heroism Training enhances rail security NS works with Decatur, Ill., to educate motorists about crossing safety
NS Newsbreak is published monthly by Norfolk Southern's Public Relations department, Three Commercial Place, Norfolk, Va. 23510-9224.
Editor Questions and story ideas can be delivered to the editor via MEMO ID aljust, e-mail at aljust@nscorp.com, phone 757-823-5205 or fax 757-533-4874. Retirees Employees interested in new personnel appointments, recent retirements, Quality Achievement Awards, 40-year service anniversaries and archived issues of Newsbreak can be found on MEMO bulletin boards Appoints, RETIREMT, QAWARDS, 40YEARS and NEWSBRK, respectively, or on the Web here. |
NS earns 2003 TRANSCAER® National Achievement AwardFor the second consecutive year, TRANSCAER® awarded its annual National Achievement Award to Norfolk Southern. TRANSCAER, or Transportation Community Awareness Emergency Response, is a nationwide community outreach program designed to promote chemical transportation emergency preparedness and awareness. TRANSCAER fosters partnerships among chemical producers, distributors, carriers, first responders and government agencies. NS received the award for its outstanding support of TRANSCAER and for its excellence in four areas: activities, organization commitment, financial support and manpower investment. In 2003, NS conducted 84 TRANSCAER training programs, drills and exercises, bringing more than 442 hours of instruction to nearly 3,500 emergency responders. “The real winners are the communities we serve,” said Dave Schoendorfer, NS manager hazardous materials. “Their emergency responders now have more information and updated skills to assist in public safety efforts.” NS also sponsored a Whistle-Stop Tour in 2003 that traveled to five cities in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Approximately 1,000 emergency responders were trained during the weeklong tour. The program included hands-on and classroom training taught by instructors from carriers, chemical manufacturers, emergency response contractors and government. NS provided scholarships for firefighters to attend training at the Association of American Railroads’ Hazardous Materials Training Center in Pueblo, Colo., and made financial contributions to select community emergency response departments. Toyota recognizes NS for logistics excellence
Toyota Logistics Services hasrecognized Norfolk Southern with three awards for logistics excellence during 2003. Toyota awarded NS its President’s Award for overall logistics excellence among rail carriers, the highest award given to a logistics provider. In addition, NS received Toyota Logistics Excellence awards for on-time performance and quality performance among rail carriers. Among the criteria for the quality award is damage-free delivery of Toyota’s vehicles to the marketplace. NS’ record for defect-free delivery during 2003 was 99.91 percent. Since Toyota began presenting these awards in 1996, NS has won the President’s Award twice, the Logistics Excellence Award for On-Time Performance three times and the Logistics Excellence Award for Quality Performance six times. “Consistent service and damage-free handling are the foundation of Norfolk Southern’s service commitment to Toyota,” said David F. Julian, group vice president automotive. “We will continue to seek new ways to serve Toyota and to help operate its business efficiently.” Six Sigma program offered to vendorsNorfolk Southern is offering Six Sigma training to its vendors. Six Sigma is a data-driven, problem-solving methodology to improve customer satisfaction, eliminate waste and increase profit. “We think it’s important to share information with our key partners,” said Charlie Strickland, director quality management. “The ISO 9001:2000 business management standard promotes mutually beneficial customersupplier relationships. Helping our partners improve enables us to better serve our customers and create value.” Charlie Lynch, vice president, Florida East Coast Railroad, completed a greenbelt course with NS. Greenbelts dedicate a minimum of 30 percent of their time to process improvement and project work in their respective departments. “It was a very good experience, because it opens your eyes to problem-solving, using data instead of the ‘I think/I feel’ approach,” he said. “You let the numbers do all the talking and solve it from there. “The training will eliminate wastes involved in our company’s processes,” Lynch said. “We can focus on the harder problems.” Upon Lynch’s completion of the greenbelt program, FEC sent a second employee to Roanoke for greenbelt training. Lynch also plans to take a blackbelt course. Blackbelts devote 100 percent of their time to process improvement and project work in their departments, and they manage other projects to ensure alignment with key corporate goals. “The Six Sigma learning experience will help Norfolk Southern and FEC’s partnership achieve its desired business and profit levels,” Lynch said. “We’re very appreciative of Norfolk Southern letting us attend classes at their facility.” Having other companies participate in the Six Sigma training program is a win-win situation, said Mike Greene, manager payroll accounting and a certified blackbelt. “If we involve our customers and suppliers in Six Sigma, we benefit as well. Not only do their processes improve, but we begin to speak the same language.” Greene said changes have been made to the Six Sigma training program. Course materials now use real railroad situations when demonstrating the different tools, although the basic methodologies remain the same.
NS’ Sinquefield to attend FBI National AcademyNorfolk Southern special agent Mark Sinquefield will be the second railroad police officer ever to attend the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy. The national academy program was established in 1935. Legislation required all attendees be government employees. That law was amended in 2001. The first railroad special agent to attend was a Union Pacific Railway officer who graduated in March 2004. “This is a tremendous honor for Mark and for NS,” said Steve Hanes, NS police director. “We worked hard to change the law so our law enforcement professionals, employees, customers and communities we serve can benefit from the knowledge gained by those who attend the national academy.” The national academy provides a wide range of leadership and specialized training, as well as an opportunity for professional law enforcement officers to share ideas, techniques and experiences. We get letters: heartfelt thanks from a father to his co-workers“I want to take this opportunity to thank so many members of the Norfolk Southern family for their support during an extremely difficult time for my family. “Our son, Tom, became gravely ill with malaria while working in Africa. He spent a great deal of time in intensive care enduring open-heart surgery; a shutdown of his lungs, heart, kidneys and liver; and the amputation of some fingers and toes. He was near death more than once, but he managed to rally each time. “We were told he would be at a rehabilitation facility for at least a year, and then he would need a year of therapy when we came home. Tom left the hospital in seven weeks, walking and taking care of himself in almost every way. His feet and hands are still in the healing process, but he is doing great. He is our miracle! “On behalf of my entire family, I thank you for the kind words, gestures, gifts and prayers. We love you all and cannot express our appreciation enough. A special thanks to all of you in Richlands and Wellar Yard, Va.; Kenova and Bluefield, W.Va.; and Ironton, Portsmouth and Chillicothe, Ohio. “Many thanks to all of the supervisors for being so understanding of my situation, and a special thanks to Jim Lore, dump truck operator, for being there during Tom's surgery, and to Mike Conley, track supervisor. Love you all.” Thanks so much, Goode honored as Norfolk’s Downtowner of the Year, Announces development of museumNorfolk Southern Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer David Goode received the Downtowner of the Year Award presented by the Downtown Norfolk Council June 18. “David Goode has been a great contributor to the health of downtown Norfolk and Norfolk Southern,” said Joe Antle, DNC board president. “He is truly one of downtown’s most valued corporate citizens and is being recognized for his leadership, wisdom and many contributions to making downtown a better place – including his noteworthy and passionate commitment to the local arts.” In accepting the award, Goode said, “We at Norfolk Southern have had the good fortune to be a part of building downtown Norfolk. We’re proud of what has been accomplished, and we expect to be a part of the future.” Goode announced the development of a Norfolk Southern museum to be located on the street level of its headquarters at Three Commercial Place. He said the museum “will tell the story of our strong heritage and tradition of railroading. We think it will tell one more part of our region’s rich commercial story – and our almost 175-year part of it.” NS sponsors Red Cross award for heroismA Roanoke County, Va., police dispatcher received a Norfolk Southern-sponsored award for heroism given by the American Red Cross. Nearly 240 people attended the April community event that recognized “heroes who have made a difference in their community and through their actions,” said Amy Whittaker, public relations director of the Red Cross’ Roanoke Valley chapter. Fred Alley, NS police deputy director, presented the 911 Dispatch Award to Sue Smith. “I was honored on behalf of Norfolk Southern to present this award of heroism,” Alley said. “In most situations, the vital link in making an emergency operation successful is communication between the field agents and the directions provided by the dispatchers.”
Training enhances rail security
With the burst of a flash grenade, a joint antiterrorism unit comprised of special operations personnel from Pennsylvania, Ohio and Washington, D.C., armed with pistols, sniper rifles and submachine guns, successfully secured a passenger train and neutralized a potential terrorist threat. Fortunately, the incident was only a simulation. It was part of a training program hosted by Norfolk Southern and the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office at Conway Yard near Pittsburgh in late May. Law enforcement officials from Beaver and Butler counties in Pennsylvania; Columbiana County, Ohio; and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority participated in an intense train interdiction course led by HSS International, which provides advanced situational tactical training for law enforcement and military personnel. The group encountered hostage and suicide bomber situations over a two-day period. “Events in Madrid underscore the need for passenger and freight rail security forces to work closely together to protect the traveling public,” said Steve Hanes, director NS police. “This was an opportunity to work together to strengthen rail security measures.” The program began at Conway Car Shop with a review of railroad safety and operations, train interdiction procedures, sniper deployment and entry of rail cars under various scenarios. Participants then moved into the yard for a mechanical introduction to locomotives and rolling stock. The train used during the training consisted of a passenger locomotive and coach, two tank cars and two boxcars. “This training certainly provided life-saving insights into how special operations personnel need to respond to potential terrorist threats involving railroad equipment,” said Bob Karwoski, NS supervisory special agent for Pittsburgh and Conway. “We maintain constant contact with state and local emergency response and public safety agencies throughout western Pennsylvania to enhance railroad safety and security. The cooperation and exchange of information among the law enforcement community has been tremendous.” “The program was great, and all the result of superb interagency cooperation,” said Capt. Tom Thane of the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office. “Training in a railroad environment increases our level of preparedness if we are called upon to handle incidents involving trains.” Hanes said NS has escalated its patrols of passenger stations on the NS network to establish a high-profile presence, and in some instances has used bomb-sniffing dogs. All railroad police in North America are represented on the FBI’s National Joint Terrorism Task Force, a multiagency organization that assesses domestic terrorism threats. Curt Stanley, supervisory special agent from Norfolk, serves on the task force full time. “When we can work together at all levels to improve rail security, everyone benefits,” Hanes said. NS works with Decatur, Ill., to educate motorists about crossing safetySo, you think you can beat an oncoming train? Think again. “It takes a long time for a train to stop,” said Fire Chief Les Albert of Decatur, Ill. With more than 250 trains moving daily through Decatur, city officials wanted to reduce collisions between trains and motor vehicles and to keep trespassers off the railroad. Assisted by Norfolk Southern, they created four television public service announcements featuring Albert and Police Chief Mark Barthelemy. Albert said the PSAs, funded by a Federal Railroad Administration grant, should remind the public “about some of the things not to do and to watch out when they approach crossings.” Over the years, he’s seen a lot of incidents that could have been avoided. “Vehicles have tried to beat the trains, but couldn’t,” he said. He saw a motorcyclist run into the side of a train and pedestrians trespass on the rails. He dealt with those who lost arms and legs. Jerry Mitchell, NS Decatur terminal superintendent, said he was glad to help the city alert the public about highway-rail crossing safety. NS secured crossings for the PSA shoots, coordinated train movements and activated the crossing warning signal lights and gates. “We really appreciate the cooperation we are receiving from Norfolk Southern,” said John Smith, Decatur assistant city manager. Albert said NS representatives “came to the fire department and other city organizations to put on Operation Lifesaver presentations for us. They gave tours of the rail yards, including emergency response training with locomotives and trains. It’s good to know those individuals and to have a good working relationship with them.”
Call for entriesIt’s time to submit photos for the 11th annual Norfolk Southern calendar contest. Winning photographers will collect $350 and 50 calendars, and winners’ names and photos will appear on some 100,000 calendars. The contest is open to active employees of NS and its subsidiaries. Photo entries can be horizontal slides, digital or larger format transparencies. Employees may submit up to five photos. Digital images must be taken with a four megapixel or higher camera. Files from these cameras have the minimum resolution required to print satisfactory calendar images. Use the setting for the highest quality, and save the file as a TIFF image uncompressed. Capturing your image to a TIFF format uses more storage space, but it gives the highest quality image. Always use the optical zoom to enlarge your scene rather than the digital zoom. Submit the image on a CD labeled with entrant’s name, location and telephone number. Do not e-mail images. Also include a “Read Me” text file or Word file that describes the photo and gives photographer information. For a 35mm print, send in the negative strip along with a 4-by-6 inch print for judging. In addition to 35 mm slides, photographers can submit larger format transparencies from medium format cameras, such as 6-by-4.5 mm, 6-by-6 mm, 6-by-7 mm or 6-by-9 mm. A print of the photos also should be included with these entries. Judges from various departments will evaluate entries for seasonal variety, content, creativity, image quality and commodity representation. Winning photographers agree to use of the photograph in the calendar, related NS materials and external publications. NS will return original slides, negatives and prints but will not be responsible for loss or damage to images. To enter, send your images to the following address with your name, title, home address and telephone number(s). Please include an e-mail address if available. It is important to include the location, date and subject featured in each slide. Deadline for entry is Aug. 2, 2004. 2005 Calendar Contest If you have questions regarding the contest, contact Rhonda Broom, manager advertising and promotions, at (757) 629-2706 or e-mail rsbroom@nscorp.com. For technical photography questions, contact Michael Bickham, imaging manager, at (757) 629-2303 or e-mail bmbickham@nscorp.com. NS employees eligible for vehicle discountsDaimlerChrysler, Ford, GM, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Subaru are offering vehicle purchase and lease discounts to Norfolk Southern employees. Some exceptions apply, and dealer participation is voluntary. For more information, contact the manufacturers as follows:
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