Posts made in January 2024

Gemstone Media is proud to be part of CSX railroad’s effort to prepare firefighters, police, and other first responders for emergency incidents on or around rail crossings, yards, and mainlines.

CSX announced that 2023 saw their Hazardous Materials team hold more than 60 sessions, across its 26-state system, with more than 6,000 first responders, contractors, and local government officials.  The training includes videos produced by Gemstone Media to help prepare the responders for potential rail-related emergencies.

“Our ONE CSX collaborative culture is deeply rooted in safeguarding our communities” said CSX President and CEO, Joe Hinrichs. He added, “Through classroom, virtual, and hands-on trainings, we provide first responders with the confidence and skills necessary to effectively manage rail-related incidents, which helps protect our communities, employees and customers.”

CSX Hazmat and infrastructure personnel work closely with state and local authorities to deliver what has become the gold standard for emergency response to railroad incidents.  The award-winning videos produced by Gemstone are used in classrooms, on board the Responder Incident Training (RIT) train, and online.  The RIT train includes a classroom and rail cars for a hands-on training experience.

“Personal and community safety is the most important aspect of how firefighters or police approach an incident involving a train.  We’re honored to help CSX’s emergency response personnel spread their expert knowledge to towns across the eastern half of the nation,” said Gemstone’s Executive Producer, Ray Hays.

Since the first iteration in 2015 the training has also been taken online by thousands of first responders in the other 24 states who find the information is helpful for all railroads and not only CSX.

Gemstone is currently collaborating with the CSX team in the production of expanded and more versatile update of the video training tools scheduled for release later this year.

Gemstone Media, Inc. is a full-service video and digital media production company helping clients achieve their goals through the power of effective media.  The company produces live broadcast sports, corporate media and training, commercials, and social media messaging.

For more information: Contact Ray Hays at Gemstone Media.  The CSX press release is here.

A shimmering sight in the lobby of Gemstone Media is our trophy case, which contains evidence of the quality work our team delivers, including two Emmy Awards and one Communicator Award for nationally broadcast documentaries about one of the world’s preeminent automotive events.

Winning Amelia and Driving Amelia were created by Gemstone Media. Executive Producer, Ray Hays, wrote and directed these hour-long documentaries showcasing the 2019 and 2020 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.  Both aired in prime time on NBCSN, and locally on WCWJ and WJXT.  

The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, founded by automotive journalist and collector Bill Warner, has earned an international reputation for its high-quality selection of cars, attendance by racing legends, picturesque setting, and the unbridled celebration of automotive history and design.

“Bill trusted Gemstone Media to faithfully share the essence and purpose of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance to the world. Our talented team turned the opportunity into multiple awards for the quality of the show!” says George Birnbaum, Gemstone Media CEO & Founder. 

“For over 25 years, The Amelia has been the crossroads of the unexpected and the incredible.  It’s the people, their passion, and their stories which gave our production team such fantastic content,” added Gemstone Media Executive Producer, Ray Hays. 

Winning Amelia drove off with a Communicator Award in 2020. The Communicator Awards honor excellence in a variety of categories and the entries are judged by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts (AIVA).

Winning Amelia and Driving Amelia both earned Emmys for “Special Event Coverage–Edited” from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Suncoast Chapter in 2020 and 2021.