East Palestine selected for $16M safety complex funding

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (WKBN) – East Palestine has been selected to receive funding for a $16 million safety complex for the village’s emergency services.

The village was selected by the Department of Agriculture, according to information from Senator Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio.

The new facility will house the fire and police departments, a 911 call center and other emergency services.

The money is being awarded through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Disaster Assistance program.

Brown said that last year’s train derailment brought to light East Palestine’s serious need for updated public safety infrastructure. He added that the police and fire stations were precariously close to the derailment site, and the 911 center had to relocate and operate out of a village garage following the derailment.

This new complex will also serve as a backup to the county’s 911 call center.

The East Palestine Fire Department was given a new $2 million ladder truck last year by Norfolk Southern. The one they had was damaged while in service after the train derailment and had been deemed unusable.

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