- Tools and Resources -

Accidents at highway-rail grade crossings - intersections where roads cross railroad tracks at-grade - is the second leading cause of rail-related deaths in the United States. Nationally, more than 2,000 incidents and 200 fatalities at grade crossings occur each year. 

Rural law enforcement agencies are critical in ensuring public safety across large swaths of the country, often with fewer than 10 sworn officers.  They address many of the same challenges as their urban counterparts - but extended across larger geographic areas, and with less funding or technical support. RIC serves this rural law enforcement community by providing information on data, funding opportunities, and state and agency contacts.

Rural fire- and volunteer-fire departments have unique needs that stem from lack of funding to support operations such as resource planning, equipment acquisition and upkeep, retention of qualified personnel, and access to technology. The resources below are provided as an assistive tool specialized for this branch of the rural first responder. It includes information on free training programs, statistical data, and publications on fire-related topics.