If Wellsville (OH) is an example, local fire stations responding to the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine are now facing expensive gear replacement costs due to the exposure to carcinogens while the train cars burned, reviewonline.com reported.
The Wellsville Fire Department is looking at an estimated $100,000 worth of gear to replace if not more, according to a fire official, the report said.
The fire department has seven sets of turn-out gear (protective garment worn by firefighters) to replace at an estimated cost of $5,000 a set. This includes, helmet, coat, pants, boots, gloves and Nomex hood.
Turn-out gear is primarily for thermal protection and does not protect a firefighter from carcinogens or dangerous chemicals in the air which can be absorbed through the skin.
According to the fire official, those departments purchasing this gear from multiple manufacturers are being advised to call the manufacturers for recommendations, the report said.