Sheriff, fire departments to host train safety town hall

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF), Northern Lakes Fire District, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue and Timberlake Fire Protection District to host a town hall meeting on railway safety and preparedness at 6 p.m. May 4 at the American Legion Post 143, 1138 E. Poleline Ave., Post Falls.

Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris is organizing the event to bring education and awareness to the local community, which has concerns about railway incidents in the country.

"Norris understands there is a degree of concern in the community regarding train and railway safety, he said, given recent train derailment events," said a news release.

Anyone with concerns about the types of freight being transported through the county, the safety measures that are in place, or the state of first responder preparedness is invited to attend the town hall.