East Palestine Community Event Flyer

Community Meeting: Norfolk Southern Railway Train Derailment with Subsequent Hazardous Material Release and Fires

​The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will hold a public community meeting in East Palestine, Ohio, on June 21 open to residents of East Palestine and surrounding areas, including neighboring communities in Pennsylvania. In the meeting, attendees may ask questions about the NTSB and our investigative process, in advance of the two-day investigative hearing on the Feb. 3 East Palestine derailment that will begin the next day, and is open for public observance only.

WHAT: Community meeting on the NTSB and our investigative process.

WHO: NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy and area residents.

WHEN: Wednesday, June 21, 6-8 p.m. Eastern time. 

WHERE: East Palestine High School, 360 West Grant Street, East Palestine, Ohio.

HOW: Attend in person only. 

Attending the Community Event 

The NTSB is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in the other modes of transportation—railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. 

We are conducting a safety investigation to determine the probable cause of the Norfolk Southern Railway train derailment, hazardous materials release and fires, and issue any safety recommendations necessary to prevent future derailments and releases from occurring. We perform an independent safety investigation and have no formal role in the response of other federal, state, or local agencies. 

While this is an open meeting, certain issues fall outside of our authority and will not be discussed. We do not, for example, have authority over air monitoring, testing of water quality, environmental remediation or evacuation orders. Questions on environmental issues should be addressed to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ohio EPA, or Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

In preparing questions for Chair Homendy, attendees are encouraged to reference this chart: ​

​We are able to answer questions about:​

​We are unable to answer the following questions as they are outside of our authority:​
  • ​The NTSB’s role in transportation safety
  • The NTSB investigative process
  • What to expect at an investigative hearing
  • The agenda for the investigative hearing on the derailment

  • ​​​Water or air quality
  • Potential health impacts
  • Topics beyond those noted in the hearing agenda that are the purview of other local, county, state, or federal agencies
  • Damage to property
  • Damage to or loss of pets, livestock, or crops
  • Loss of wages, business, or income
  • Social welfare assistance
  • Lawsuits
  • Regulatory or enforcement matters (NTSB is an investigative agency, not an enforcement or regulatory agency)

      

Those who wish to ask a question at the community meeting can submit their name, in person, at the event. Names of questioners will be selected randomly within the allotted timeframe. 

Security Protocols and Screening

To ensure the safety and security of everyone, Federal Protective Service will oversee security for the community meeting. Anyone planning to attend should arrive early to allow time for processing through security screening, which will include magnetometers.

General categories of prohibited items include, but are not limited to:

  • ​Firearms and ammunition of any type
  • Bladed, edged or sharp objects
  • Club-like items and striking devices
  • Explosives

Accommodations

Individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation to attend this community event, including sign language interpretation, should contact Stephanie Shaw, Hearing Officer, at EastPalestine​Hearing@NTSB.gov.

Media

Media planning to attend should RSVP at mediarelations@ntsb.gov.

NTSB Investigative Hearing June 22-23

See our investigative hearing webpage for details.​



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