Norfolk Southern, in collaboration with the state of Ohio and Youngstown State University, is revitalizing plans for a $20 million training center for first responders. This center will be situated near East Palestine, Ohio, the location of the most severe derailment the nation has witnessed in a decade.

Following the February 3, 2023 derailment, which necessitated the evacuation of half of East Palestine—a small town straddling the Ohio-Pennsylvania border—the need for a specialized firefighter training center became apparent. Residents were left with lingering concerns about potential long-term health effects, prompting swift action to enhance emergency preparedness.

Initially, Norfolk Southern communicated in January that East Palestine officials had mutually decided to forgo the training center. This decision was part of a $22 million settlement with the town, primarily due to worries over future operational expenses. In response, the railroad company even offered the town the 15 acres earmarked for the facility.

However, the plan has been resurrected through a partnership with Youngstown State. Together, they will develop and manage the training center, equipping first responders to handle the complex situations of train derailments that involve hazardous material spills. In East Palestine’s incident, derailed cars burned for several days, prompting authorities to intentionally rupture five vinyl chloride tank cars to prevent an explosion.

“Through collaboration, we’ve transformed the concept of an economic and educational hub focused on community safety into a viable project,” remarked Mark George, CEO of Norfolk Southern.

The railroad has committed more than $135 million to help the town recover from the derailment and agreed to pay $600 million in a class-action settlement with residents, though those settlement payments are on hold because of a pending appeal and accounting problems with the first company that was distributing checks.

Local East Palestine first responders will have free access to training at the facility. Mayor Trent Conaway said this will “better prepare them to serve our village and the communities in our region.”