The Belt strengthened its emergency preparedness through a May 21 tabletop exercise focused on a hypothetical hazardous-material release with the Transportation Security Administration.

The discussion-based exercise brought key personnel together to work through their responsibilities in a simulated scenario involving a nonaccidental release from a tank car. Participants considered how different roles — including switchmen, yardmasters and train dispatchers — would respond and how their actions could affect the overall response.

“It kind of gets everybody together in a close environment to hash out everybody’s responsibility so we can be better prepared,” Director of Safety and Compliance Mark Labbe said.

The exercise also included representatives of the BRC Police Department and six TSA representatives.

The exercise could serve as preparation for a future hands-on field drill, although no date has been established.