releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=941CCA3F-0F99-4DBE-9D02-F0E662EE95DE
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=941CCA3F-0F99-4DBE-9D02-F0E662EE95DE | President Signs into Law Heitkamp’s Bipartisan Bill to Improve Training & Support for First Responders | 2016-12-19 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | Senator’s Legislation Will Help Provide Better Resources & Training for First Responders to keep Communities Strong & Safe BISMARCK, N.D. – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced that the president signed into law her bipartisan legislation to support first responders by making sure they have the resources and tools to handle potential hazardous incidents, including crude oil train derailments. The president’s signature comes just days before the third anniversary of the derailment of a crude oil train in Casselton, which prompted Heitkamp to introduce this bill.Following the 2013 derailment in Casselton, Heitkamp wanted to make sure first responders are prepared to handle the transportation of crude oil on the rails, especially as many first responders in rural communities like Casselton are volunteers, prompting her to introduce this legislation. The derailment was also the impetus for her Strong & Safe Communities Initiative, which aims to help address some of the new challenges facing the state by bringing a greater focus to keeping North Dakota’s communities strong and families safe in their homes. She issued her Strong & Safe Communities Report in August. Among the goals of her initiative includes better equipping emergency response teams with the necessary tools and resources to prepare for hazmat incidents on the rails, which Heitkamp’s legislation will do. "When flames began billowing from the derailment of a crude oil train in Casselton almost three years ago to the day, and then again in Heimdal in last year, North Dakota first responders did not hesitate – they ran toward the flames to protect their communities,” said Heitkamp. “With the president signing into law my bipartisan bill, our first responders will get the tools they need to do their jobs and make sure communities are strong and safe no matter what the challenge is. Every second counts when first responders are called into action, and this bill will help make a difference so they can return home safely to their families each night knowing that they have the tools at their disposal to protect our towns." Heitkamp’s Railroad Emergency Services Preparedness, Operational Needs, and Safety Evaluation (RESPONSE) Act establishes a public-private council that combines emergency responders, federal agencies, and leading experts to review training and best practices for first responders. This council, co-chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), will provide Congress with expert recommendations on how to address first responders’ safety needs with increased railway safety challenges so they can best protect communities across the country. Joining in support for Heitkamp’s RESPONSE Act as cosponsors are U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Angus King (I-ME), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Bob Casey (D-PA), and U.S. Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) worked with Heitkamp to introduce companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2015. Despite the current downturn in oil production, 35 percent of North Dakota crude oil is still transported by rail and will likely continue to into the future. On major freight railroads across the country, the number of railcars carrying crude oil grew by more than 4,000 percent. In addition to her RESPONSE Act, Heitkamp has worked to improve first responder safety by helping secure $5 million in federal funding to support a one-of-a-kind federal training facility in Pueblo, Colorado that prepares first responders to handle hazmat incidents on the rails, such as crude oil train derailments. Nearly 310 North Dakota first responders have participated in training at the Pueblo facility, more than 130 of which were trained to specifically handle crude-by-rail incidents. She has also worked closely with federal, state, and local officials, including bringing U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to North Dakota and holding a U.S. Senate hearing on first responder safety. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |