Study: Workers Aren't Prepared To Handle Oil Accident
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A new report says Minnesota's firefighters and first responders aren't adequately prepared to handle an oil spill or fiery accident.
Most local governments don't have the equipment to respond to an oil accident, according to a Department of Public Safety report released this week. More than half of the workers surveyed said they need more training.
Oil train traffic has increased dramatically as production has boomed in North Dakota. Roughly seven trains haul oil across Minnesota daily.
After an explosive derailment of an oil train in North Dakota a year ago, Minnesota lawmakers passed a law boosting safety efforts and requiring the study.
Minneapolis Democrats Rep. Frank Hornstein and Sen. Scott Dibble call the report a wake-up call. Both lawmakers say there is more work to do.
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