Sheriff’s Office Looks for Volunteers To Help Reduce Railway Trespass and Suicide

NEVADA – The Sheriff’s Office of Washoe County is seeking volunteers for its Railway Auxiliary Team, popularly known as RAT Pack.

Volunteers on the teamwork to reduce the number of rail suicides and trespassing events. Since 2009, they have been recruiting local veterans, retirees, and retired first responders to join their team.

RAT Pack delivers rail public safety solutions that attempt to avoid suicides and trespassing events.

In the past five years, there have been over 200 railroad suicides and over 1,000 trespassing instances on a national scale. In 2022, RAT Pack was responsible for four probable suicides and more than 28 trespassing instances in our region.

Participants will get suicide intervention and awareness training and participate in field training circumstances.

With an understanding of the rail sector and its specific environment, our team is qualified to provide a range of safety and security solutions for the rail business. Richard Gent, the leader of the RAT Team, stated. There are several safety measures, training approaches, and other abilities that we know will save lives yet are generally unknown.

Currently, there are 120 members of the RAT Pack.

Credits: KOLOTV