Spurred by the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, earlier this year that overwhelmed the resources of first responders, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced bipartisan legislation that would ensure communities are adequately equipped to respond to such emergencies.
Rep. Fitzpatrick and U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) proposed the Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act to support first responders on the frontlines of hazardous train derailments.
“Our bipartisan Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act will ensure that the Department of Transportation is adequately communicating with local emergency response officials, improving coordination and preparedness,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said on April 24. “I am proud to join Rep. Deluzio in introducing this legislation that will ensure our first responders have the resources they need before, during, and after hazardous derailments.”
If enacted, the bill would authorize the administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), in consultation with the administrators of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Environmental Protection Agency, to declare that a hazardous train event has occurred within three days of the train derailment, train crash, or other incident involving a train carrying hazardous materials, hazardous waste, or other materials that pose a threat to public health, safety, and the environment, according to the text of the bill.
Upon such a declaration, the FRA administrator would immediately award at least $250,000 or more to eligible entities. Within five days after a declaration, the administrator could award additional amounts to those entities not to exceed $3 million per hazardous train event, the text says.
Additionally, the bill would establish within the U.S. Treasury Department the Hazardous Train Event Emergency Reimbursement Fund, which would be administered by the FRA administrator to reimburse eligible entities for costs such as replacing equipment; overtime pay for firefighters, law enforcement officers, or other emergency responders; and operational costs for actions taken to respond to a hazardous train event, among others.
“When massive rail corporates derail in communities, it’s local governments and first responders who are left to pay the bill, clean up the mess, and protect the public,” said Rep. Deluzio. “It is time to pay them back with more than gratitude, and I am proud to partner with Rep. Fitzpatrick on this legislation.”
The bill is supported by the Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association.