Ohio committee releases rail safety report commissioned after East Palestine derailment
https://dayton247now.com/news/local/ohio-committee-releases-rail-safety-report-east-palestine-senate
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — State lawmakers released its rail safety report, commissioned after a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine in February.
The 132-page Senate report outlines the five hearings held since, including testimony and presentation documents.
Committee members made nine recommendations:
• Encourage the passage of the Railway Safety Act of 2023, introduced by U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown and J.D. Vance.
• Establish a clear and concise chain of command when emergencies occur.
• Provide additional resources for training for volunteer fire and EMS personnel.
• Consider emerging technology that can quickly identify rail cars and their materials to assess how to manage the accident and limit the damage following derailment.
• Continue long-term testing of soil and water at and near the derailment in East Palestine for a period of at least 20 years.
• Encourage improved communication between rail companies and local EMAs to better equip local communities with the necessary information to improve their response to potential emergencies, including what kind of materials are passing through the area.
• Consider funding a report on agriculture in the East Palestine region in the next operating budget.
• Encourage research on alternative resources that first responders may use to put out hazardous material fires, such as soil and sand.
A recommendation to advocate for provisions in a now-signed law requiring two-person crews, the use and installation of more wayside detectors by train companies, and the completion of a study by the PUCO regarding the effectiveness of wayside detectors were already met before the final report.
Senate Minority Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) said the report gives legislators a framework to move on rail safety concerns.
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