If you notice railroad tracks along the primary route to a facility during a preincident survey, what should be included to address this hazard?

• A. Alternate routes
• B. Railroad crossing barriers
• C. Emergency contact numbers
• D. Height restrictions

Answer: (A)

When you see railroad tracks along the primary route, the main thing to plan for is an alternate route. In a preincident survey, identifying hazards isn’t enough—you need practical mitigations that keep response and evacuation moving even if a train is crossing or the crossing is blocked. Having alternate routes ensures firefighters, EMS, and other responders can reach the facility or stage operations without being delayed by a chokepoint at the tracks. It also helps you map out safe travel paths for vehicles of different sizes, confirm easier turnarounds, and coordinate with dispatch on which route to use if the tracks cause a delay.

Other items don’t directly address this routing hazard. Barriers at railroad crossings are specific to the crossing itself and may require coordination with the railroad, but they don’t guarantee you can avoid the crossing when needed. Emergency contact numbers are important for communication but don’t mitigate the physical barrier posed by the tracks. Height restrictions aren’t relevant to this scenario.