Brown Announces New Investments in Hazmat Training for Ohio Emergency Responders

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced new training initiatives for Ohio emergency responders to prepare for incidents involving bulk shipments of hazardous materials, and an investment to support new HAZMAT shipper inspection. The U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has invested a total of $950,187 in two Ohio agencies to improve emergency preparedness.

"We saw how local first responders were left to clean up the devastation Norfolk Southern caused in East Palestine. It is critical that Ohio's first responders have the resources and training necessary to respond to incidents involving hazardous materials as safely as possible," Brown said. "This investment will help ensure that the health and security of communities across Ohio are protected in any potential situation."

Investments from the U.S. Department of Transportation include:

• $793,516 to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency to conduct a commodity flow study, to offer emergency medical technician training, tankers emergencies training and an Incident Command System 100 and 700 course, and to conduct their annual boom exercise.

• $156,671 to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to conduct HAZMAT shipper inspections.

Brown has long been advocating for safety reforms and training that supports first responders in Ohio. His bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023 increases HAZMAT registration fees to fund grants for training emergency responders.Brown also introduced the Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act to 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.

###