[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 185 (Tuesday, November 19, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H8965]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RESPONDING TO RAIL-BASED INCIDENTS

  (Mr. HIGGINS of New York asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, last weekend, a train derailed 
in Niagara Falls, New York, tossing several cars filled with butane on 
their side within yards of neighborhoods, residences, and local 
restaurants.
  The Niagara Falls Fire Department and Niagara Falls Air Reserve 
Station responded quickly and, fortunately, this time, the emergency 
didn't rise to the level of placing the community in great danger.
  According to the United States Department of Transportation, over 
1,300 train derailments took place in 2018 alone, leaving no doubt that 
situations like this will occur again.
  That is why I have introduced, along with Congresswoman Herrera 
Beutler, the Fire Department Proper Response and Equipment 
Prioritization Act. This bipartisan legislation ensures that our brave 
first responders have access to Federal grants that support the 
specialized training and equipment necessary to respond to rail-based 
incidents, making the safety of our communities a priority.

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