U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler introduced a measure this week to help Southwest Washington’s first responders be more prepared to respond to derailed oil trains.
The measure would direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency to consider grant requests for hazmat operations, including training and purchasing new equipment, a priority.
“Public safety needs to be a top priority as train traffic increases in Southwest Washington — and that starts with properly equipping our firefighters and first responders,” Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, said in a statement. “Let’s close the loophole in this funding program that considers rail incident response lower priority so that we’re equipped to handle hazardous materials like crude oil already being shipped through our region, and on any future rail traffic.”
Steve Eldred, the division chief with the Vancouver Fire Department, said applications for what’s known as the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program have been considered a low priority in the past.
“For us it’s instrumental, not just the equipment and training but access to funding for planning and developing plans for responding to the type of risks,” Eldred said.
In recent years, the state has seen a dramatic spike in oil-by-rail traveling through communities, from zero gallons in 2011 to more than 700 million in 2013.
“Unfortunately, the current federal funding restriction in the Assistance to Firefighter Grant program prevents Vancouver Fire Department — and communities across the country — from accessing the resources needed to prepare and respond to crude-by-rail incidents,” Vancouver Fire Chief Joe Molina said in a statement, adding the idea is “commonsense legislation.
“While we hope to never need the specialized HAZMAT planning, training and equipment, we can’t ignore the threat that already exists today,” Molina said. “The federal government should be a partner in this endeavor and we hope the Congress will act quickly to reprioritize grant funding and ensure our first responders have the capabilities to plan and respond.”
The Washington Fire Chiefs also voiced support for the legislation.
