Ohio | I would like to express my thoughts of love, prayer and condolences to family, friends, relatives, loved ones and all who are affected with the recent train derailments of East Palestine, Ohio, and Florida. The East Palestine train derailment took place on February 3rd 2023, when 38 cars of a Norfolk Southern Freight train derailed. Within the cars there were hazardous materials of Vinyl chloride, 2-Butoxyethanol, 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate, Isobutylene, and Benzene.
The train departed from Madison, Illinois and was on its way to Conway, Pennsylvania. Upon derailment hazardous fumes and chemical spillages alerted an emergency response and nearby residents were evacuated.
I appreciate the emergency response from the Ohio National Guard, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). On February 9th the mandatory evacuations for residents were lifted as the EPA had determined that the air quality was normal. Among the many affected residents, habitats and animal species were affected such as: approximately 3, 500 small fishes in the local streams, Foxes experiencing illness with the death of one, and many toxic materials released into the water, including: Little Beaver Creek and the Ohio River.
It is devastating to see that the derailment of trains have a lasting impact and consequence. Thus; Senators decided upon the legislation called: The Railway Safety Act 2023. This hopes to prevent such future rail disasters from occurring. I am proud to support bipartisan efforts from lawmakers, especially to assess risk and future tragedy preventions. This bill will be introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio and Republican Senator James David Vance. The bill is also sponsored by the following Senators: Bob Casey, D-Pa., John Fetterman, D-Pa., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Josh Hawley, R-Mo.
I also wondered how efforts from the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) could be improved to include criterion to support communities / individuals that are affected with disasters such as: Train Derailments? As individuals are not able to receive FEMA financial assistance if a major disaster is not declared.
Florida | The Florida train derailment took place on March 28th 2023, where there was no leakage, injury or effect upon habitats reported.
Greece | On March 28th 2023 a head on collision with a passenger and freight train was reported with the devastation of human life. The death toll reported ranged from 32-43 with at least 85 injuries. The Greece train derailment is tragic and as per previous thoughts pertaining to Russia, Ukraine and Turkey, rattles the security of Europe.
It is with these thoughts I reiterate my condolences and sympathy to everyone affected, and appreciate your emergency responses. Thank you.
Further Reading:
- Wikipedia | 2023 Ohio train derailment
- ABC NEWS | There were more toxic chemicals on train that derailed in Ohio than originally reported, data shows
- ABC NEWS | Train carrying propane tanker derails in Florida, no leakage reported
- NBC NEWS | Senators unveil rail safety bill after Ohio train derailment
- ABC NEWS | At least 43 dead, dozens more injured in Greek train derailment
- Image 1 – Link : Image of Strasburg RailRoad Steam Train during a sunrise in Pennsylvania (Fine Art America).
- Twitter Link and Handle | .@SenMarcoRubio
- Twitter Link and Handle | .@ABCWorldNews The official Twitter account for @ABC‘s World News Tonight with @DavidMuir.
Related Blog Post | REFLECTIONS: RUSSIA’S UKRAINE INVASION | 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY.
Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on March 1st 2023. All views and opinions are my own and are cited as per required.
With Love & Kindness. 🇺🇸
{HEART'S, FOREVER!} 
