The CSX Hazardous Materials Training Institute opened in Florida on June 30 at the Fire Academy of the South, part of Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ).

Railroad tank car displaying a chlorine hazardous-material placard
Illustrative photo of a U.S. railroad tank car carrying chlorine and displaying hazardous-material placards. Photo: NIOSH / Catherine C. Beaucham / Public Domain

Rail-focused training facilities

Developed through a partnership between CSX and the college, the institute will provide ⁠hands-on, rail-specific training for first responders, railroad personnel and public safety partners.

According to CSX officials, the site includes 1,200 feet of track, freight and tank cars, specialized training props and scenario-based learning environments that replicate real-world rail conditions. Courses will combine classroom instruction with live exercises.

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Preparation and incident management

CSX President and CEO Steve Angel said:

“We’re proud that this institute supports a full range of training, from foundational awareness to emerging tools like drone-assisted incident management,”

“Safety doesn’t begin when something happens. It begins long before that — through preparation, disciplined execution and the relationships we build with partners like FSCJ and first responders.”

Helium tank cars at the NASA Railroad yard in Florida
Archive illustrative photo of helium tank cars at the NASA Railroad yard in Florida. Photo: NASA / Jim Grossmann / Public Domain

CSX describes the facility as the first hazardous materials training institute operated by a railroad. CSX and FSCJ announced plans to build it on August 4, 2025, with training programs then scheduled to begin in early 2026. At the opening, the institute launched its programming with the inaugural “Railroad Operations for Emergency Managers” course. The course combined classroom instruction with immersive exercises intended to strengthen preparedness, coordination and response capabilities across agencies.

CSX also produced a ⁠short video presenting the new institute.

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