(The following story by Amanda McElfresh appeared on The Advertiser website on May 21.)
LAFAYETTE, La. — The City-Parish Council has appropriated $200,000 to cover costs associated with Saturday’s train derailment.
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It is still unclear exactly how much the derailment cost the city, but under an emergency ordinance approved Tuesday night, city-parish officials will be able to seek reimbursement from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Railway Co. or any other necessary agencies.
Lafayette Police Chief Jim Craft said he estimates the department spent $63,000 in personnel costs during the emergency. Craft said he expects that final number to be between $70,000 and $100,000.
About 100 officers responded to the scene during the peak hours of the situation on Saturday, Craft said.
Police received a call from the BNSF railyard at 1:45 a.m. Saturday regarding overturned rail cars, Craft said. The yard manager told police that cars were smoking, at least two had derailed, there was an inhalation hazard and the Ambassador Caffery overpass needed to be shut down immediately.
The first police department unit was dispatched less than one minute after the call was received and was on the scene in less than six minutes, Craft said. Six more units were on the scene in the next four minutes.
Those responding to the scene included investigators, commanders and off-duty officers, among others.
Craft said two officers who were among the first to arrive on the scene were treated and released for exposure symptoms. No other major injuries were reported.
Capt. Todd Bourgeois of the Lafayette Fire Department said about 3,000 feet of hose lines were laid to protect the “hot zone” operations area near the spill site.
“Our personnel train for this kind of incident, and our training paid off, because everyone went home safely,” Bourgeois said.
Council Chairman Don Bertrand praised the coordinated effort between local and state agencies in responding to the incident.
“The team effort was phenomenal,” Bertrand said. “I was very impressed and pleased, and we should be proud to have all of you working emergency situations like this.”