NTSB beginning two-day hearings investigating East Palestine toxic train derailment
The National Transportation Safety Board is in East Palestine Thursday and Friday to conduct investigative hearings on the February third toxic train derailment.
Dozens of entities are scheduled to testify at the hearings including the East Palestine Fire and Police Departments, the Federal Railroad Administration, and Norfolk Southern.
The NTSB's process started Wednesday, with the agency talking with the public at East Palestine High School about their investigation and what they hope to solve. Dozens of questions circled around the crowd as the NTSB prepares for their hearings.
"Our whole mission is to investigate tragedy so that we can issue safety recommendations to prevent it from happening again," said Jennifer Homendy, Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board.
The independent federal agency is holding the investigation to determine the facts, circumstances, and probable cause of the derailment and work to prevent future issues from happening again.
"We don't weigh costs and benefits when we issue a safety recommendation," Homendy added. "It is truly what is right to do for safety."
"With the parties to the investigation, are those the ones who get the safety recommendations from you guys?" asked one woman in the crowd. "Not necessarily," responded Homendy.
"Is our city officials going to be there?" one woman in the crowd asked.
Some topics not discussed tonight involved air and soil testing and also water quality testing, damage to property, loss of income, potential health impacts, and the current lawsuits against Norfolk Southern. A lot of those topics are off-limits because they go to the EPA, a government entity that is not a part of this investigative hearing process.
"Who actually enforces the regulations? Would that just be the Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration?" one woman in the crowd asked.
Homendy explained the Federal Railroad Administration issues regulations around rail safety. The safety of hazardous materials is also done by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Both are in the US Department of Transportation."
"How are you going to investigate and put all that together when there are so many holes in there," another audience member asked.
"I am wondering whether you would consider or make any recommendations to change the balance of power," one man said.
"Why can’t the public participate?" one man asked while wearing a 'We The People' shirt.
Homendy explained as an investigative hearing and they’re looking at the evidence. They still have questions and want to find answers to the questions they still have.
“This is an investigative hearing. We’re digging into all of our evidence, and we want answers," Homendy replied.
Thursday's hearing will focus on hazard communications and emergency responder preparedness, along with controlled burn consequences. Come Friday, the focus will be on the freight car bearing failure modes and wayside detection systems, and rail tank car safety.
"There's a lot of information and we can take all of that to do our investigation," Homendy added.
Homendy clarified NTSB believes the train crew did nothing wrong during the derailment scene. She added crews did ask permission to cut off the locomotive to keep going and were given permission. Homendy added there is so much more information and they have thousands of pages of information.
The public is invited to the hearings but will not be able to testify or speak. While the NTSB can't regulate change, they said 80% of its recommendations are favored and eventually put into law.
Thursday's hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m.- 7:15 p.m. and Friday's hearing is scheduled from 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. at East Palestine High School, 360 W. Grant Street.
21 News will have team coverage in the investigative hearing process all day Thursday and Friday. Also, make sure you stay updated on our 21 News App as the meeting unfolds.
