Camp Ripley Train Derailment Training Facility Including In Governor’s Bonding Proposal

CAMP RIPLEY - A new facility to help fire departments learn how to fight an oil train fire, and clean-up after an oil pipeline spill, has once again been included in Governor Mark Dayton's bonding proposal. The $3.5 million project would be built at Camp Ripley.

Staff Sergeant Anthony Housey says much of Minnesota has the potential to be impacted by this type of disaster.

We have 55,000 miles of gas and liquid pipelines that cross our state. And, about 3.5 million Minnesotans that reside near hazardous flammable train routes that carry oil tankers.  We just want to be able to utilize this centrally located training facility and be able to create an area that agencies can come and train.

The "Joint Emergency Response Training Center" would simulate a small town setting.

Housey says this would be the first training facility like this in the upper Midwest.

This facility was also included in last year's bonding bill, which did not get approved by the end of the State Legislative session.