Funds OK’d to cover derailment expenses
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LAFAYETTE — The City-Parish Council on Tuesday approved an emergency $200,000 to pay for police and firefighter overtime and other expenses related to the train derailment and evacuation during the weekend.
An estimated 3,000 residents were evacuated Saturday from a 1-mile radius around the site of the derailment at the Ambassador Caffery Parkway overpass, where an overturned rail car leaked about 10,000 gallons of hydrochloric acid.
Police Chief Jim Craft told the council Tuesday that personnel and other expenses in the Police Department alone are expected to range from $70,000 to $100,000 for work related to the derailment.
About 100 officers were assigned to the derailment detail at the peak of operations Saturday, mainly in evacuating the area and maintaining roadblocks, Craft said.
The incident also taxed the Fire Department, public works and traffic officials.
City-Parish Chief Administrative Officer Dee Stanley said the total tab for overtime and materials expenses has not been tallied.
The ordinance the council approved on Tuesday authorizes City-Parish Attorney Pat Ottinger to seek reimbursement.
Railway company Burlington Northern Santa Fe has indicated it will cover the city’s expenses related to the spill, Stanley said.
Council members on Tuesday praised the work of the fire and police departments.
Craft said the first police officer arrived on scene less than 6 minutes after the spill was reported at 1:45 a.m.
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