Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act

Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act

This bill establishes a Hazardous Train Event Emergency Reimbursement Fund for state and local emergency response groups.

Specifically, upon a declaration by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that a hazardous train event has occurred, the FRA must immediately award at least $250,000 from the emergency fund to one or more eligible groups (e.g., law enforcement agencies and fire departments). Additional amounts may be awarded, but may not exceed $3 million per hazardous train event. The FRA may declare a hazardous train event has occurred following a derailment or crash involving a train carrying hazardous materials, hazardous waste, or other materials that pose a threat to public health, safety, and the environment.

Costs associated with a response to a hazardous train event that are eligible for reimbursement include (1) replacing damaged or contaminated equipment; (2) overtime pay for firefighters, law enforcement officers, or other emergency responders; and (3) retroactively covering these types of incurred costs after the event date.

The FRA must also (1) establish annual fees for shippers and carriers of hazardous materials by rail that have total annual collections of at least $10 million, and (2) deposit the fees into the reimbursement fund.

Further, the Department of Transportation must issue regulations requiring railroads that transport hazardous materials by train to provide county and local emergency response groups with (1) advanced warning of the train's load and timing, and (2) real-time location information on the train when it enters and exits the community's service area.

Bill 118 hr 2999, also known as the Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act, aims to provide support and resources to local emergency responders who are called upon to assist during train accidents and other crises involving trains. The bill recognizes the important role that these local heroes play in responding to such emergencies and seeks to ensure that they have the necessary training and equipment to effectively carry out their duties.

Specifically, the bill authorizes the Department of Transportation to provide grants to local emergency responders for training, equipment, and other resources needed to respond to train accidents and other crises. These grants can be used for a variety of purposes, including purchasing specialized equipment, conducting training exercises, and developing emergency response plans.

In addition, the bill establishes a National Advisory Committee on Railroad Emergency Response to provide guidance and recommendations on best practices for responding to train accidents and other emergencies. The committee will be composed of representatives from federal, state, and local agencies, as well as industry stakeholders and other experts in emergency response. Overall, the Assistance for Local Heroes During Train Crises Act seeks to improve the preparedness and response capabilities of local emergency responders when faced with train accidents and other crises. By providing support and resources to these local heroes, the bill aims to enhance the safety and well-being of communities across the country.