Norfolk Southern railroad worked with the state of Ohio and Youngstown State University to revive plans for a $20 million first responder training center near the site of the worst derailment in a decade in East Palestine, Ohio.
TL;DR
- Norfolk Southern, Ohio, and Youngstown State University revive $20 million first responder training center plans.
- The center aims to equip firefighters for railroad disaster response near East Palestine, Ohio.
- Norfolk Southern will collaborate with Youngstown State on managing the facility.
- Local East Palestine first responders will receive complimentary training at the center.
Following the Feb. 3, 2023, derailment that necessitated the evacuation of approximately half the residents in the small town situated near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, and which subsequently left inhabitants concerned about potential enduring health consequences, establishing a training facility to equip firefighters for railroad disaster response was promptly integrated into the strategy.
Last January, Norfolk Southern stated that East Palestine officials had reached an agreement with the railroad, as part of the town’s $22 million settlement, deeming the training center unfeasible due to worries over continuing operational expenses. The railroad even committed to donating 15 acres of land, which it had purchased for the center, to the town.
The railroad plans to collaborate with Youngstown State on establishing and managing a training facility designed to equip first responders to handle the specific difficulties presented by train derailments that could release hazardous substances transported by railcars. In East Palestine, the wrecked train cars were ablaze for several days, leading officials to blow open five tank cars containing vinyl chloride due to concerns about potential explosions.
“By working together, we’ve turned this vision of an economic and educational center dedicated to enhancing community safety into a sustainable reality,” railroad CEO Mark George said.
The railway company has pledged over $135 million to aid the town's recovery from the incident and consented to a $600 million class-action settlement with inhabitants. However, these settlement disbursements are currently suspended due to a pending appeal and issues with accounting procedures involving the initial firm responsible for distributing the funds.
Local East Palestine first responders will receive complimentary training at the facility. Mayor Trent Conaway stated this will “better prepare them to serve our village and the communities in our region.”