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(The following story by Mallory McGowin appeared on the Connect Mid Missouri website on August 24, 2009.)

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — It’s the first training exercise of its kind.

Emergency responders from across the Show-Me State gathered in the Capital City Monday to practice responding to a passenger train emergency.

Officials from state emergency agencies and AMTRAK held a day-long hands-on class for paramedics, firefighters, and police officers who may respond to a railroad emergency.

Emergency officials said railcar scenarios are often not a top priority on emergency response plans.

“Sometimes its out of sight, out of mind. Many times they’re not in your everyday community all the time; they pass through your entity,” said Missouri Emergency Response Commission Executive Director Dawn Warren. “And this is an opportunity to ensure those plans are up-to-date, ensure that the trains are included in the emergency preparedness plans, and ensure that there are ample opportunities for training across the state.”

This training was made possible by a grant from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration.

The grant makes all Missouri emergency responders eligible to receive this training.

The same class will be held Tuesday and Wednesday.