Northwestern R-1 School District and Local Communities Receive National Award for Emergency Response

The Northwestern R-1 School District and local communities have received a large amount of recognition for their response to last year’s deadly Amtrak train derailment near Mendon. Recently, Northwestern Superintendent Dr. Eric Hoyt traveled to Washington D.C. on behalf of the district and Chariton County communities to receive the Ready Communities National Service Award. Hoyt says the nomination came from a nationwide board for Ready Communities Partnership.

The Northwestern R-1 School District building was used as a staging area to treat and transport injured Amtrak passengers. It was later used as a hub for the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) investigation. Hoyt discusses the award ceremony.

The award is currently on display in the Northwestern R-1 School District trophy case.

The award may also be displayed by other local entities in the future.