US EditionTowns Not Prepared for Derailments, Toxic Spills
Fewer than 20% of U.S. fire departments have specialized hazardous materials teams, while federal grants funded only $291 million of nearly $4 billion requested for training in 2024.
- In 2012, a train accident in Paulsboro, New Jersey, caused multiple tank cars filled with vinyl chloride to fall into a nearby creek, releasing hazardous gas into the surrounding area.
- This accident and others reveal that many communities and firefighters lack timely chemical information due to federal delays and inadequate emergency responses.
- Analysis of federal data found that hazardous material derailments releasing over 1,000 gallons occur frequently in the U.S., with nearly half causing evacuations and over a quarter causing fires or explosions.
- Over 700 individuals, including local residents and emergency personnel, experienced symptoms related to chemical exposure, while less than 20% of fire departments have specialized hazmat teams and often depend on regional assistance that can take several hours to reach the incident site.
- Despite nearly $4 billion in funding requests, federal grants have provided limited support for hazmat preparedness, indicating ongoing gaps in resources and response readiness nationwide.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Towns unprepared for derailments, spills
A train derails and spills at least 1,000 gallons of hazardous materials in the U.S. about once every two months. Nearly half of those derailments resulted in evacuations, while more than a quarter resulted in a fire or explosion since…
Many towns unprepared for derailments, spills
A train derails and spills at least 1,000 gallons of hazardous materials in the U.S. about once every two months. Nearly half of those derailments resulted in evacuations, while more than a quarter resulted in a fire or explosion since…
Towns not prepared for derailments, toxic spills
A train derails and spills at least 1,000 gallons of hazardous materials in the U.S. about once every two months. Nearly half of those derailments resulted in evacuations, while more than a quarter resulted in a fire or explosion since…
Beatrice Daily Sun
Many towns unprepared for railway derailments, spills
A train derails and spills at least 1,000 gallons of hazardous materials in the U.S. about once every two months. Nearly half of those derailments resulted in evacuations, while more than a quarter resulted in a fire or explosion since…
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