Type of Protective Zoning: Shifting Cost of First Responder Training
Type of Protective Language: Shifting Cost of First Responder Training
Requiring provisions in your zoning scheme to shift the cost of training for your first responder services away from the municipality and onto the applicant is an example of some ways you can use zoning to shift financial burden away from local governments (and hence, you, the taxpayer).
Why you want it:
Local emergency response workers may not know how best to react to fracking-related threats. A way to improve the safety of your community is to have first responders go through specialized training that helps give them the knowledge and resources to deal with natural gas related disasters. But such training will likely cost money.
In rural areas emergency vehicles may take a long time to reach secluded disaster sites. Citizens may depend on entirely volunteer firefighting forces and those volunteer organizations often struggle to find funding. To help with this, some areas include in their ordinances that fracking companies provide training and other resources for local emergency workers. This helps to shift the financial burden from residents to the gas company.
Example of that type of language:
Peters Township’s ordinance reads:
K. ...The applicant shall prior to drilling its first gas well in the Township make available with at least thirty (30) days notice, at the applicants sole expense one appropriate group training program for emergency responders. Such training shall be made available at least annually during any year that drilling activities take place at approved drill sites.
First Responder Training, Spill, Leak or Release/Emergent Condition.
The Operator shall, at its sole cost and expense, provide to Emergency Responders appropriate site orientation for the specific Well Pad, with adequate information and ongoing training on dealing with any potential dangerous conditions that may result from Well Pad and accessory uses at that Well site and shall be made available at least annually during the period of use of the Well Pad.
The Operator shall further identify and discuss with Emergency Responders the appropriate evacuation protocol. The Borough shall be provided with an updated or revised PPC Plan immediately upon approval by the Department of Environmental Protection, and Emergency Responders should be briefed regarding any changes thereto.