Deluzio, Fitzpatrick Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Local Heroes Who Respond to Train Derailments

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) reintroduced their bipartisan bill, the Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act, to support first responders on the front lines of hazardous train derailments. After the Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine just over two years ago, local emergency responders, firefighters, and members of law enforcement risked their own lives and wellbeing to protect their communities and respond to the derailment. Due to the size and severity of derailments, the clean-up response can quickly surpass the budget of local first responder organizations, especially if they need to pay workers overtime, replace damaged equipment, or purchase supplies.

This legislation would create a new fund—paid for by companies that ship and carry these materials—to provide emergency responders, firefighters, and law enforcement with the financial resources needed to replace equipment, pay workers overtime, and address other urgent costs as well as compel railroads to notify local officials and emergency response groups when hazardous materials are moving through their communities.

“After a train derailment, it’s local governments and first responders who are too often left to pay the bill, clean up the mess, and protect the public—that's just not right,” said Congressman Deluzio. “It is time to make the railroads pay for the messes they cause in our communities. I am proud to partner with Representative Fitzpatrick to reintroduce the bipartisan Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act. This bill will help communities across the country better prepare for future derailments with improved information-sharing and will cover the cost of damaged equipment, overtime pay, and more—all paid for by the companies that ship and carry these materials. No community should be left footing the bill for corporate negligence and incompetence.”  

“When train derailments occur, it’s not the rail companies that bear the immediate burden—it’s our first responders who risk their lives and our communities that pay the price,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “Our bipartisan Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act ensures that those transporting hazardous materials are responsible for the costs of response and recovery in the case of an accident, rather than leaving local governments and emergency personnel with handling the fallout. I am proud to partner with Representative Deluzio in advancing this legislation to ensure real accountability and give first responders the support they deserve. When crisis strikes, first responders step up—we must do the same for them.”

The Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act would also:  

• Give the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) the ability to declare a “hazardous train event” after the derailment of a train carrying hazardous materials, hazardous waste, or other materials that pose a threat to public health and safety.  
• Allow the FRA to provide funding to help state and local emergency response groups, fire departments, and law enforcement agencies cover costs related to their response to a hazardous derailment—and disburse that funding quickly.  
• Provide emergency organizations the financial flexibility they need to protect their communities in the wake of a train disaster while maintaining their ability to respond to everyday issues.  
• Require companies that ship and carry these materials would pay a fee into the fund, not the public.   
• The Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act would also direct the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, to develop regulations requiring that railroads notify local emergency response groups, fire departments, and law enforcement agencies when hazardous materials are moving through their communities.   
   

Congressman Deluzio also reintroduced an updated version of the bipartisan Railway Safety Act this congress to prevent future train derailments by improving rail safety requirements. The bill would also hold rail companies accountable for these disasters by increasing fines and more. Rep. Deluzio is also once again co-leading the DERAIL Act, which would strengthen the definition of a high-hazard flammable train and increase safety provisions for more freight across America.

The Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act is endorsed by the Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association. The full text of the bill is available here. 

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