Washoe County, NV…Dozens of Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Citizen Corps* members just became the Sheriff’s Office new “RAT Pack,” a team of volunteers specially trained to provide additional safety and security for local railway infrastructure.

RAT (Rail Auxiliary Team) Pack volunteers completed their instruction this morning with some hands-on training, using mock rail cars located at the Regional Public Safety Training Center. Following the training, the volunteer were awarded their RAT Pack pins and badges.

“Trains carrying people, and products ranging from coal to computers rumble through Reno twenty-four/seven, three hundred and sixty five days a year,” according to Rich Gent, a railroad safety and security advocate who developed and taught the RAT Pack’s training. “Keeping these trains moving is vital to our National and local economy.”

Rail Auxiliary Team members are all active volunteers with the Sheriff’s Office Citizen Corps, their RAT Pack training included topics such as:

how to report trespassers on railroad property
basic railroad operations
worldwide railroad terrorism events
railroad safety
suicide awareness for railroad operations.
“The Rail Auxiliary Team will help augment local law enforcement who deal with these situations with trained eyes and ears, plus the group has the training to provide the railroad with rail specific locations of people or things on their property so that they may take appropriate action,” Gent said. “The volunteers fully understand the dangers of railroad operations and will provide support while on their normal daily routines.”

Gent said the suicide prevention component of the training, taught by the Nevada State Suicide Prevention Coordinator, is part of what makes the new RAT Pack so cutting edge. Volunteers reviewed a recent suicide near Las Vegas and received basic training on suicide prevention and what to look for should they see someone near or on railroad property.

The “Rat Pack” will receive continuous monthly on-line training and quarterly face to face training to ensure they are up to speed on the latest rail related topics.

Gent also suggested the public review the Nevada Operation Lifesaver public safety awareness program for important information about trespassing on railroad property and railroad crossing safety.

“We still receive reports that people continue to go onto the train tracks and into railroad areas where they are not supposed to be,” he said.

*The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Citizen Corps is comprised of several teams of trained volunteers including, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Sheriff Mobile Auxiliary Response Team (S.M.A.R.T.), the Citizen’s Homeland Security Council and the new Rail Auxiliary Team. For information about how to volunteer, contact Shirlee Rhodes at (775) 325-6928.