Confidential Close Call Reporting System
C3RS — Identifying Safety Risks in Railroad Operations
Home Q&AQ&A — ConfidentialityHow does BTS keep my report confidential?BTS de-identifies all personal and carrier information from a close call report so that the identity of the reporting employee or anyone mentioned in the report cannot be determined. BTS will not share any information that could enable someone to determine the person making the close call report or information that is referred to in the report on the basis of indirect identifiers such as train ID or the milepost at which an event occurred. All documents and electronic media are kept in a secure room, with access limited to BTS employees and agents who operate C3RS.What happens to personal information I share with BTS?After collecting information on a close call event, BTS removes all information that might lead to the identity of:
If I report a close call about someone else, will the information about that person remain confidential?Yes. All information that could identify someone is removed before it can be shared. Even if no names are given, BTS will not share any information that could enable someone to determine the person making the close call report or the person(s) referred to in the report on the basis of indirect identifiers such as train ID or the milepost at which an event occurred.What happens to the information I provided if my close call is rejected?BTS will destroy any information you provided either by telephone or in writing.What assurance do I have that BTS, PRT, and Volpe will keep my identity confidential?All participants (BTS, PRT, and the (Volpe Center) sign a confidentiality agreement under the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA). This makes disclosure of information that could identify you a Class E felony, punishable by not more than five years in prison or a $250,000 fine, or both. All participants receive training in how to protect the confidentiality of the reports and any related information. All information is stored under strict conditions set by BTS to protect the data.Does the carrier see my close call report?No. Carriers receive C3RS summary reports from BTS with personal/carrier information removed or de-identified. Carriers agree they will not use the data to identify whomever else might be engaged in the same activity or to discipline and decertify employees for that behavior.Does PRT or FRA see my close call report?No. PRT and FRA receive a C3RS summary report from BTS with personal/carrier information removed or de-identified.Are there any conditions under which BTS would reveal my identity?No. BTS will never reveal the identity of someone making a close call report, even if a report is not accepted.How does BTS protect my identity from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests or legal action?In the event of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request or legal action for your close call report or interview, BTS will keep that information confidential. |
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 To initiate a close call report, call C3RS at (866) 683-9265 or (888) LOV-C3RS  Sponsored by the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration Privacy Policy |
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