NS, partners mark progress on East Palestine training center

Norfolk Southern, Youngstown State University and federal, state and local partners in Ohio are advancing a regional resource designed to strengthen emergency preparedness and build the next generation of first responders

Top takeaways:

• Plans for a new first responder training center in East Palestine are moving into their next phase, combining realistic, hands-on training with higher education and workforce development.
• Norfolk Southern is supporting the center with a $20 million grant and four rail cars that will help responders prepare for rail-related emergencies and other complex incidents.

Norfolk Southern joined federal, state and local partners this week in East Palestine to unveil details on the planned first responder training center made possible by a $20 million grant from Norfolk Southern. The center will give firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel and students preparing for public safety careers a place to practice the skills they need in realistic environments.

Youngstown State University, the State of Ohio, the Village of East Palestine and Norfolk Southern are working together to advance the center as a long-term regional resource. YSU will design, construct and operate the center, connecting specialized training with fire science, public safety and emergency response education. On Thursday, Norfolk Southern announced it will also donate four railcars to the facility to be used for hands-on learning. 

Why hands-on experience matters

The center is designed to bring both academic instruction and practical hands-on experience together, creating opportunities for current responders to strengthen their capabilities and for students to gain experience as they prepare for careers in public safety.

“This training center is the result of extensive collaboration and a shared commitment to East Palestine and the first responders who protect communities across the region,” said John Fleps, Norfolk Southern Chief Safety Officer. “We’re proud to provide a $20 million grant and donate four railcars to turn this vision into a sustainable resource where first responders and fire science students can build critical skills through realistic, hands-on training. Together, we are strengthening emergency preparedness today and helping prepare the next generation of first responders.”

A resource rooted in East Palestine

East Palestine emergency response agencies will have free, priority access to the facility, creating a direct and ongoing benefit for the community.

“Thanks to the strong partnerships at the state, local, and federal levels, the vision for this comprehensive first responder training center in East Palestine has grown significantly since we first announced this idea in 2023,” said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. “With added support from Youngstown State University, this center will not only support first responders, but it will also help develop Ohio’s next generation of public safety leaders. Once built, it will draw people from all over the country to East Palestine, strengthening the local economy and encouraging continued revitalization of this resilient community.”

“Preparation is everything, especially for the men and women we count on to keep our communities safe,” added Lt. Governor Jim Tressel. “This center will strengthen Ohio’s public safety workforce by preparing our current and future first responders to serve and protect our communities. Through the leadership of Youngstown State University and other local partners, we’re creating something that will make a positive difference for East Palestine and the entire region.”

“This new training center will give career and volunteer first responders access to high-quality, specialized training to help them better serve their communities. It’s great to see Youngstown State University, the State of Ohio, the Village of East Palestine, and Norfolk Southern working together to strengthen emergency preparedness and expand workforce opportunities for Ohio’s first responders,” said U.S. Senator Jon Husted.

The center’s long-term value will extend beyond individual training sessions. By bringing education, hands-on practice and workforce development together, the project will help working responders sharpen their skills while creating pathways for students interested in fire science, emergency services and public safety careers.

“Not only will our local police, fire, and EMS personnel benefit from having a world-class training facility in their own backyard, but so too will the community at large. By bringing together academic knowledge, technical innovation, and hands-on training, this multidisciplinary campus will strengthen emergency preparedness while creating opportunities for the next generation of first responders, researchers, and innovators,” said Antonio Guy-Diaz, East Palestine Village Manager. “Our long-term ambition is to build an ecosystem around this campus where those who train for emergencies work alongside those who design, develop, and manufacture the tools needed to respond to them. For East Palestine, this represents an opportunity to change our narrative and make East Palestine a center for public safety and innovation while laying the foundation for new jobs, private investment, and long-term economic growth.”

For East Palestine and communities across the region, that means a lasting resource built around the people they count on when every second matters.

“This is what strong leadership and strong partnerships look like, turning a commitment to East Palestine into a lasting resource for this community, our region, and the great State of Ohio,” said YSU President Bill Johnson. “We at YSU are proud to lead the way, bringing together education, workforce development, and hands-on training to build a first responder center of excellence that will not only serve communities across our region, but also set a new standard for Ohio. This center will help prepare the first responders of today, educate the professionals of tomorrow, and strengthen the safety and resilience of communities throughout our region and state.”

Since 2023, Norfolk Southern has invested more than $135 million into East Palestine and surrounding communities. For more information about how Norfolk Southern is investing in the region’s long-term success, visit nsmakingitright.com.