Norfolk Southern Receives 2006 TRANSCAER® National Achievement & Chairman's Award

Charles J. Wehrmeister
(click photo for hi-res version)

ARLINGTON, VA (May 22, 2007) – The National TRANSCAER Task Group today presented the TRANSCAER (Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response) National Achievement Award to the Norfolk Southern Corporation and the Chairman’s Award to Mr. CJ Wehrmeister, Norfolk Southern’s Vice President of Safety and Environment.

These awards are given in recognition of extraordinary achievement in support of the TRANSCAER initiative that extends beyond the geographic boundaries of any one region. Both awards are recognized as major symbols of commitment to the principles of TRANSCAER (Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response), the voluntary national outreach effort to assist communities prepare for and respond to a possible hazardous material transportation incident.

Norfolk Southern wins the National Achievement Award for organizing and/or assisting with multiple events that trained over 5,000 emergency responders. Overall, a total of 198 training classes/drills were held during 116 events, which totaled over 23,000 man hours of instruction. Further, Norfolk Southern continues to distribute the NS Railroad Emergency Response Guide at all of its TRANSCAER training sessions. The Guide was updated and revised in early 2006.

Mr. CJ Wehrmeister won the Chairman’s Award for invigorating the TRANSCAER program on the Norfolk Southern Railway in the early 1990s, and showing remarkable dedication to the TRANSCAER mission. Thanks in great part to his leadership, the Norfolk Southern TRANSCAER Whistle Stop Tours have evolved into annual events.

A voluntary, nationwide community outreach program, TRANSCAER focuses on assisting communities prepare for and respond to a possible hazardous material transportation incident. Volunteers consist of representatives from chemical producers, distributors, carriers, first responders, and government agencies.

TRANSCAER® is sponsored by the American Chemistry Council, Association of American Railroads, Chemical Educational Foundation, CHEMTREC®, The Chlorine Institute, Inc., and National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc.