With California expecting a surge in oil transports by rail, San Diego firefighters will soon receive a new hazardous materials vehicle specially designed for oil tanker derailments, explosions, leaks and potential terrorist acts. San Diego is among 12 areas of California scheduled to receive one of the vehicles this fall from the state, which will also pay to train the city’s 17-member hazardous materials team to use the vehicle.
Much of the oil in California, the third-biggest refining state in the nation, is transported by ships. But city officials said the state is expecting an increase of oil transportation by rail from places such as Canada and North Dakota.