An East Palestine Catastrophe in Pittsburgh
What Are the Odds? How Will We Respond?
Can it Be Prevented?
Featuring Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire
Emergency Management Dept.
April 27, 6pm on Zoom, registration necessary
Part 1: Not IF, but WHEN—Prepping Pittsburgh for an East Palestine Event
Chief Darryl Jones heads the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire & is the city’s Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator. Chief Jones has spent years worrying about—& preparing for—potential rail disasters. He’ll speak candidly about the risks, & explain how his force will respond & coordinate with other agencies & resources. Time will be allowed for audience questions.
Part 2: Rail Disasters—Improving the Odds & Reducing the Impact
RP3 (Rail Pollution Protection Pittsburgh) is committed to reducing the risk & negative impacts of hazardous rail traffic by holding railroads accountable & strengthening government oversight. RP3 was co-founded by Glenn Olcerst (also its General Counsel) & Barbara Talerico. Larry Simms focuses on research & strategy.
More oil & dangerous chemicals roll through our town, county & region than almost any rail corridor in North America. RP3 has countered industrial rail expansion—& worked to hold railroads accountable—for over a decade. Tactics include grassroots campaigns, administrative litigation, injunctions & court-ordered mediation to protect environmental justice area neighborhoods. RP3 specializes in: highlighting rail safety failure points; state & federal action items; and in-depth knowledge of Norfolk Southern policies & operations.
Presentations will NOT include details & visuals of the East Palestine incident, which has been widely covered in the media. Discussion WILL reveal little-known facts, including:
Norfolk Southern’s long tradition of neglect.
How a private railroad relies on public funds.
Why some of the region’s worst bridges are NOT on “most dangerous” lists.