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| Louis J. Wagner has been presented with the TRANSCAER Distinguished Service Award |
Wagner is the general director of Chemical Transportation Safety at Union Pacific Railroad and vice chairman of the National TRANSCAER Task Group (NTTG). This is the second time the award has been given.
TRANSCAER and its resources help safeguard the public by providing first responders with the information and training they need to effectively respond in the unlikely event of a chemical transportation incident. The Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual that demonstrates exceptional service to the public through TRANSCAER. Wagner will receive his award at the 22nd Annual Association of American Railroad and Bureau of Explosives Hazardous Materials Seminar at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri on May 19, 2009.
"Louis Wagner has dedicated his career to the development and execution of safe operations and practices for Union Pacific and his customers," said Rollie Shook, CPP, Emergency Services and Security Senior Leader of The Dow Chemical Company and chairperson of NTTG. "And because of his efforts and contributions to TRANSCAER, today it is a nationally recognized institution. He is most deserving of this award as his focus on safety innovation, integrity and compliance is invaluable."
Wagner is considered an expert on TRANSCAER as he has served in leadership roles on the local, state and national level. He is currently the regional coordinator for Region III, which covers 14 states in the Central and Southwestern United States. In this position, he has recruited, mentored, trained, assisted and supported many state coordinators in the planning of their training exercises.
Wagner said, "It is rewarding to provide first responders with safety demonstrations and educational materials on how to respond to a chemical transportation incident. UP is the largest railroad in the United States and we know providing this training to communities is the right thing to do. TRANSCAER training is training that I hope communities will never have to use; however, I am glad that they have it so they can be prepared if an incident occurs."
His latest TRANSCAER efforts include a Missouri ethanol training tour with BNSF Railroad, Kansas City Southern Transportation Company, Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad Inc., and several tanker truck lines that focused on ethanol safety and emergency response. He also worked with The Dow Chemical Company to develop a new training program for Toxic Inhalation Hazard materials and flammable gases.
Wagner is active on the grassroots level and has participated and presented information on TRANSCAER messages at many Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meetings. He serves on multiple safety-related boards and councils and is a consultant to many UP customers and industry associations. Wagner, who resides in Omaha, will retire from UP at the end of April.
