Ohio senator talks about new first responder training in exclusive interview

OHIO ( WTRF ) – Senator Brown recently visited Weirton to meet with Cleveland-Cliffs leadership and USW Local 2911 members.

While he was there, 7News was able to interview him on several topics including funding for the market street bridge and his newest training initiatives for Ohio emergency responders.

Nearly $88 million was announced by West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore-Capito’s office in July, something Brown says will make a difference for many in the Ohio Valley.

“If it’s an Ohio/West Virginia issue, I work with Senator Capito and Senator Manchin. And my job is to listen to people. And this bi-partisan infrastructure bill has made a difference for many jobs. It’s made a difference for transportation and made a difference to update our facilities in this state. And I will always do that.”

Sen. Sherrod Brown | (D) Ohio

In early August, Brown announced new investments into hazmat training for Ohio’s emergency first responders.

The inspiration for this investment goes back to the tragedy that happened in East Palestine in February 2023, when a Norfolk Southern train derailed and leaked toxins.

“They cut back on their safety inspections and forces as they did big essentially bonuses for their executives and laid off workers and compromised public safety. We also want to make sure that local officials have the training and the resources they need.”

Sen. Sherrod Brown | (D) Ohio

Brown says the goal of the hazmat training is to ensure first responders know what to do to increase public safety.

“I want to make sure these railroads, when they bring hazardous material through Steubenville or Wednesfield, whether they’re bringing hazardous materials to air or or St Clairsville, so that that those that did we know ahead of time what these materials are. And our our first responders are trained on what to do.”

Sen. Sherrod Brown | (D) Ohio

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has invested a total of $950,187 in two Ohio agencies to improve emergency preparedness.

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