STAPLES, Minn. (AP) - North Dakota's oil boom has safety on the minds of many Minnesota towns as the volatile crude rumbles through town aboard long trains.
Officials are mindful of fiery derailments in the past year, including one in Quebec that killed 47 people. State lawmakers are mulling bills that would have railroads help pay to train and equip emergency responders.
Scott Braith leads a volunteer fire department in Staples, where trains were passing before the town even existed. He says nothing would get his force ready for a catastrophe like the one in Quebec, but it would help if railroads were more proactive.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Canadian Pacific aren't fighting the Minnesota legislation. But they say they are already working with first responders.