CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: December 17, 2012

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

CT DOT Donates Rail Cars to CT Military for Disaster Training

      The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) is donating two out-of-service rail cars to the Connecticut Military Department for use in disaster training drills for first responders. The cars have been delivered to Camp Hartell in Windsor Locks, where the Military Department operates the New England Disaster Training Center (NEDTC).

      “It’s gratifying to be able to give these retired cars a new and useful life and, at the same time, contribute to the training of the men and women who respond to disasters on a moment’s notice,” said DOT Commissioner James P. Redeker. “I also want to thank our partners at Amtrak, Metro-North Railroad, Connecticut Southern Railroad and the folks in the DOT Rails Unit for working together and making this happen.”

      The cars, which ran on the New Haven Line for almost two decades, are very similar to the cars used today and thus will provide “real life” experience for the trainees.

      NEDTC Director and retired Connecticut Air Guard Major General James Skiff said the transfer of the rail cars is a result of the collaborative efforts of multiple state agencies, including the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Department of Public Health and the Connecticut Fire Academy.

      “This accident simulation will provide hands-on training for community, state, federal, and private response and recovery personnel in a highly realistic environment including hazardous material simulations," he said.

      The NEDTC is nationally regarded as a premier training facility for civilian and military disaster response personnel, offering unique hands-on training focused on preparing civilian and military disaster responders for real-world disaster situations. More about the NEDTC at www.nedtc.us.