Train Derailment Contaminated West PA Fire Companies Equipment

HARRISBURG, PA — Gov. Josh Shapiro on Wednesday said his administration is working to ensure Western Pennsylvania fire departments are reimbursed for the replacement costs of all equipment contaminated in the recent Norfolk Southern train derailment.

Fire companies from Beaver, Lawrence, and Washington Counties responded to the derailment and the controlled vent and burn in East Palestine, Ohio, a tiny community near the Pennsylvania border. Many of them are reporting contaminated turnout gear, hose, self-contained breathing apparatus and with some drop tanks for water supply operations.

“First responders answered the call. Their departments deserve to be made whole and we expect Norfolk Southern to quickly reimburse any department that responded to the derailment and needs to replace equipment," Shapiro said in a statement. "My administration will continue to hold Norfolk Southern accountable for any and all impacts on the commonwealth.”

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Office of the State Fire Commissioner have reached out directly to local fire departments and are working with them to identify and catalogue their damaged and contaminated equipment, and to streamline submissions to the Norfolk Southern Claims Director.

East Palestine residents have voiced fears about the safety of their air and water since the February 3 derailment, which triggered a fire that burned for days and prompted crews to intentionally release vinyl chloride from the train cars to prevent an explosion. That move sent thick smoke over the community.

Pennsylvania continues to see no troubling air or water quality readings following this incident. The Shapiro Administration announced last week that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will conduct independent water sampling to monitor water contamination risks.