BLE member gets top environmental honor

Buffalo's Mike Bethge wins international recognition for hazmat safety services

Brother Mike Bethge of BLE Division 421 (Buffalo, N.Y.) has won the Association of American Railroads' North American Environmental Excellence Award, the railroad industry's top environmental award, for his work involving the safe transportation of hazardous materials by rail.

"It's a good thing for all the people on CSX," Brother Bethge said. "It's gives us all something to be proud of."

Brother Bethge, 39, joined the BLE in 1994. He was nominated by CSX's hazardous materials department for his role as HazMat Sentinel, his efforts in emergency planning, training employees and supervisors in responding to hazardous material incidents as well as his years serving his community as a volunteer fire fighter.

"This is the first time that a Locomotive Engineer has been nominated by CSXT," said General Chairman Bob Godwin. "This annual award recognizes railroad employees who have a high comprehensive level of environmental excellence within the rail industry and their community."

A fourth generation railroader from Buffalo, N.Y., Bethge received the award on April 14 from Edward R. Hamberger, president and chief executive officer of the Association of American Railroads.

Among his many accomplishments, Bethge coordinated a hazmat drill for the Cortland, N.Y., area and assembled a response team that included seven fire departments and the Binghamton and Ithaca hazmat teams. His work there resulted in letters of commendation from the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, politicians and local fire chiefs.

In addition, Bethge has assisted in the development of various stormwater and spill prevention plans, and has coordinated training for these environmental compliance programs. He hasn't confined his activities just to his own railroad. He has also provided hazmat training for the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway in Cortland.

"We have an excellent relationship between labor and management up here in Buffalo that affords me the opportunity to work on programs such as this," Bethge said.

For the last five years, Bethge has been a member of the Erie County Hazardous Materials Response Team. He has been a volunteer fireman for 21 years and is former chief of the Spring Brook Fire Company. Throughout his career, he has earned numerous citations and certifications for his work in promoting safe handling and transportation of hazardous materials.

Three other railroad employees received plaques from the AAR for their work with the environment.

The North American Employee Environmental Excellence Award was established in 1996 and is awarded annually by the AAR.

Mike Bethge of BLE Division 421 (Buffalo, N.Y.) holds the North American Employee Environmental Excellence Award. He is the first locomotive engineer and BLE member to win the first place award. He was given the award for his efforts in training employees and supervisors in responding to hazardous material incidents.

© 2000 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers