Local, state and federal agencies are scheduled Wednesday to participate in an emergency training exercise conducted by the North County Transit District and Pacific Sun Railroad in Escondido. Photo: North County Transit District

ESCONDIDO–The North County Transit District and Pacific Sun Railroad will conduct an emergency exercise Wednesday at an agency rail yard in Escondido.

The 6 to 9 p.m. training and the location for the exercise will be closed to the public. Those in the nearby area should not be alarmed to see emergency vehicles present.

The exercise scenario will be a simulated freight rail incident along the Escondido rail corridor that includes an automobile collision and a simulated hazardous material leak. It will also test the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services online communications system, WebEOC.

Emergency agencies across the county will join the transit district for the valuable learning experience.

Participating and invited agencies include: California Public Utilities Commission, Camp Pendleton Fire Department, Escondido Fire and Police Departments, San Diego Fire Department – Hazardous Materials team, County of San Diego Environmental Health/Hazardous Materials Division, Federal Railroad Administration, Pacific Sun Railroad (A WATCO Co.), Rancho Santa Fe Fire District, San Diego County Office of Emergency Services, San Diego Law Enforcement Coordination Center, San Diego Sheriff’s Office, San Marcos Fire Department, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Transportation Security Administration

The exercise is part of North County Transit District’s ongoing commitment to safety, and is required by Federal regulations. It is one in a series of diverse full-scale emergency exercises that the transit district has held and will continue to conduct.