The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

February 23, 2009

Bill requires DOH to handle traffic, firefighters to deal with hazards

By Mannix Porterfield

CHARLESTON — Last summer’s massive traffic snarl after a tractor-trailer flipped on the West Virginia Turnpike figures into a new House bill on emergencies.

The idea is to make sure the Department of Transportation sends a team to the scene of an accident for traffic flow if a road is closed more than two hours.

When the rig overturned on the Turnpike, just below the Chelyan toll plaza, commuters were stranded on and off the toll road into the next day.

Complicating matters, another truck became wedged when it struck an underpass on a road off the Turnpike.

Delegate Orphy Klempa, D-Ohio, acknowledged that accident figured partly into his bill, read it for a first time Monday.

“It was brought to our attention that sometimes after these huge and unfortunate wrecks, the direction of traffic and flow of traffic sometimes overwhelms our local emergency people,” the delegate said.

“It would be a good idea if we maybe could have the Division of Highways come in and assist, only with the direction of traffic and things of that nature.”

In no way would the measure alter the responsibilities of firefighters to deal with the spill of hazardous materials.

“That doesn’t change,” said Klempa, whose bill is being co-sponsored by Delegates Daniel Poling, D-Wood, and Randy Swartzmiller, D-Hancock.

“It only addresses the flow of traffic — just helping our emergency personnel when they get overwhelmed in these situations. They could use the help.”

When such crises occur, Klempa said firefighters must concern themselves solely dealing with potentially lethal materials, and not getting stalled commuters moving again.

“It would be a cooperative effort,” Klempa said.

“I’m sure the DOH is not going to respond to every traffic accident. I’m sure they would only go as needed.”

There was some dispute after the Turnpike crash as to who should have taken charge.

When hazardous materials are involved, Klempa said there should be no issue at all — this task belongs in the hands of the experts trained in coping with them.

“And that happens all around the state,” Klempa said of such flare-ups.

“That’s not just unique to that particular crash. The thing is to get the flow of traffic around these accidents and free up these personnel to the situation so they can respond to the need at hand.”

Klempa emphasized his bill (HB2755) would leave firefighters in charge of making the calls when dangerous chemicals are spilled.

“Those disputes may still occur,” he said.

“But the DOH is not going to come in and take control of the situation. The emergency responders are still in control. They’ll (DOH) just be there to assist with traffic.”

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