Freight rail is vital to California’s economy.
In fact, BNSF trains move consumer goods from the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland and San Diego, as well as agricultural products California farmers grow, and help manufacturers deliver their products around the world.
While freight rail is by far the safest mode of ground transportation, we’re always striving to make it even safer. And a major part of improving safety is making sure accidents don’t happen in the first place.
Gary Sage, BNSF Safety Employee of the Year, Bakersfield Engineering Track Supervisor
That’s why our employees are trained in a comprehensive set of BNSF-specific safety practices and rules, in addition to federal requirements and industry recommendations. And it’s why we implement the latest technology to detect flaws before they become an issue.
Dispatcher in San Bernardino ensures trains and their crews can safely perform their functions in accordance with BNSF operating rules and federal regulations.
To further mitigate risk, we’re working with customers to replace their older tank cars with newer, safer models as quickly as possible. And we’ve introduced stringent speed reductions and other specialized operating restrictions for the transportation of crude through densely populated areas.
In addition, BNSF provides specialized training to first responders across the country for handling product containment in the event of a spill and extinguishing fires. And we have 250 of our own responders and specialized equipment prepared to deploy at 60 locations along our routes.