Freight trains carrying cargo would be required to have at least two crew members on board in an effort to improve safety and emergency response in the event of derailments under a bill introduced in the Senate on Wednesday.
U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) evoked the collision of two trains carrying crude oil in 2013 near Casselton, North Dakota, when she announced the bill, the Safe Freight Act. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) attributed the collision to a faulty axle last February.
“When a disaster like the Casselton derailment sends shockwaves through our communities, we must do everything we can to prevent accidents and improve our ability to respond in the future,” Heitkamp said. “After the Casselton derailment, it was clear that having two crewmembers on board the train made all the difference to prevent the fire from escalating and threatening those living nearby. My legislation is a commonsense way to make our communities strong and safe while supporting an industry that is vital to North Dakota jobs and prosperity.”
Following the collision, Heitkamp launched the Strong and Safe Communities Initiative to address challenges arising from North Dakota’s energy boom. The Safe Freight Act is an outgrowth of the initiative.
Local first responders, SMART Transportation and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have all backed the bill.
“As we saw a few years ago in Heimdal, accidents involving freight trains carrying hazardous materials can pose real danger to the public,” Janelle Pepple, the 911 coordinator in Wells County, North Dakota, said. “We were fortunate no one was hurt in Heimdal, but it’s critical that steps are taken to make safety the priority. Senator Heitkamp’s legislation is a common sense way to increase safety for those living close to railways and prevent the huge disruptions an accident can cause.”