Good afternoon. Uh, we're here for our daily press conference. Um, the situation uh is still ongoing. Uh There are still *** very volatile situation. Um, air quality is good. We have members of the United States E P *** in the state of Ohio, E P ***. Uh, they'll be discussing that uh, in *** little greater detail. Um There's still *** state of emergency in place. Uh There's ***, it's *** one mile radius from the scene of the accident. Uh There's *** stay at home order still in place. It's still one mile. It has not changed. We're getting *** lot of rumors that it's been expanded to two but it has not drinking water still safe. That's being monitored every two hours. Uh, they have detected nothing. Uh It still could be discolored because of all the fire operations that took place the other night. But as of safety, it's perfectly fine to drink. Um, this morning, the sheriffs went door to door to get *** count of the residents who stayed. Um, I can't stress enough that if you are in the evacuation zone, you need to leave. Um, it could be, it could be *** dangerous situation that I don't want to see any of our residents get hurt. The big thing is we need people to stay home and not come into the East Palestine. I cannot stress that enough. Last night, we made one arrest for misconduct at an emergency and we will continue to do that. If this does not stop, you're endangering our police and fire by them having to come and tell you to move, stay away from the scene. There's nothing to see. There's plenty of pictures on social media. If you, that's, that's as good as you're gonna get. You don't need to see anything in person. Uh, we're coming up with *** fact sheet. Actually, the *** contractor for Norfolk Southern is coming off the fact sheet. They're gonna produce that as soon as we get that, we're gonna put it out. Um, to tell you, you know, as far as all the chemicals in the air, um, the air is still safe. They're getting no readings and other in the site, the, *** couple of the creeks in town have been affected by this. The E P *** will address that also, I've been contact with the school administration. Um, I've asked him to close the schools tomorrow. The administration has agreed and we will discuss that again tomorrow afternoon to see if that needs to be extended. But East Palestinian Village schools, city schools will be closed tomorrow this time, I will pass it over to fire chief Keith driving. All right, good afternoon. We still have ***, as the mayor said, we still *** very active incident. Uh We still are monitoring very closely with Norfolk Southern and their emergency response teams along with several other federal agencies and their response teams. As of right now, we are still not conducting any what we call downrange or on scene operations. Uh It's still too volatile of an area. Once we are in agreement with those federal agencies in Norfolk Southern, then we will start some operations down there to help mitigate this and get this over with. Uh Again, I cannot stress enough. Stay out of town. All right, there's no need to come here. Uh You come here and start rubbernecking. They will hook you up. You'll get *** tour of the county from here to Lisbon. Um Stay out of town if you decided not to leave, stay in your house, please just, we're trying to do this for your safety. I'll turn it over to Peggy Clark. Good afternoon everybody. So the, so the evacuation shelter remains in place at the junior senior high school and that's *** 3 20 West Grand Street here in the village. The Red Cross continues to staff that location. They're providing meals and *** place to stay for any residents that have been impacted by the evacuation area. Uh Currently, there is about eight residents that remain at the shelter. Norfolk Southern continues to offer uh their Family Assistance Center. So that is *** place where residents can go to get information regarding temporary housing, any out of pocket expenses they've occurred or any other support um that they may need as, as part of an impact from this emergency. Um I was able to find out that they assisted 75 residents yesterday. And before we came down here to talk to you folks, they had seen about 100 residents so far this morning. So again, that is the Norfolk Southern Family Assistance Center uh that is in the City Park. So it's the East Palestinian City Park Community Center and that's at 31 Park Avenue here in the village. They're open today from eight a.m. to eight p.m. and will continue to be open 888 P daily. As long as the evacuation is in place to 11 continues to be available for residents to call. If they have any additional questions that they're not getting answers from during these press briefings that we're having so feel free to call them, they're answering questions, providing additional information. Um If the media has questions specific for Norfolk Southern, I do have *** contact information that I can provide to you all for those. Um But that's all I have for Emma this morning. I also have one more thing to mention about the park. We will be closing the entrance of the park and you will have to go in and out at the exit. Uh There's ongoing uh events and uh I guess mitigation. Uh So we're gonna close that to give everybody, give the E P *** room to work down there. So it'll just be one way in and out and it's the exit of the park, not turn it over to the officials from the E P ***, both federal and state of Ohio. Thank you, uh James Justice with the U S Environmental Protection Agency. Uh We continue to support uh incident Command and Unified Command, the fire chief with providing air monitoring and air sampling um in the community and around the incident, the the derailment location so far. Uh Most of our air monitoring is um generally background. We're not getting *** lot of detection in the community, but I want to stress um what the mayor and the fire chief had indicated. It's *** dynamic situation. There is still assessment that needs to be done with the rail cars and things can change at any, any time. And until the system, the incident stabilized will continue to do regular air monitoring in conjunction with our other local state and federal partners as well as Norfolk Southern. So we can notify and provide the um information needed if the incident does change and that air quality does change. Thank you. Thank you. Hello everybody. Kurt Koller with Ohio E P S emergency response unit. Hyo E P *** has been on scene since the onset of the incident on Friday night, our roles, we've been supporting Unified Command and Air Monitoring, but primarily with water quality morning in the in the local streams and area. Um What we have done is set up *** series of containment dams and, and booms which allow water to pass underneath them yet collecting the material that's on the surface. There is *** dissolve phase of part of the material into the water. We also have set up three aeration locations which are using high volume pumps to treat that water in place and remove those dissolved contaminants. Um The efforts that we are doing are commonplace in the emergency response efforts. The scale of this has just increased and that's where we're at. We'll continue to support unified continue uh command. Uh There is water quality monitoring being done on *** daily basis throughout these waterways. Thank you. Thank you, Kurt. Um Couple more things on the fire side. We did request through the state Fire Chiefs Association of Ohio and I M T. Uh We did receive that last night through Butler County, Ohio. They are here and they're helping us with our Unified Command uh and keeping everything in check. We're going to keep them here until this insulin stabilizes whenever that may be the other thing I have for our residents. If you have questions or comments, please do not call our dispatch or non emergency number. Uh Please call 211. leave dispatch open for any emergencies or uh police actions that you know, you need, you need somebody there. You're jamming up dispatch, calling and asking questions. They don't have the answers. Uh Anything that we have, we've put out on our social media pages, Palestine, Ohio, um or East Palestine information. I'm sorry. Uh So call 211, do not call our dispatch. Uh and please stay home. I can't, I cannot reiterate it enough. Just stay out of East Palestine if you don't live here and if you're in your house, please stay in place. Do not, do not come to our town. I guess I will open up for questions. Limited questions today, folks. Can you explain *** little bit about that? Well, the first part of your statement was correct. I have divulged no information about any controlled burns, anything like that. Nor would I? That's all rumors W K B N News. Um Are there any concerns that this is for the E P *** I guess? Are there any concerns for people downstream of those contaminants? Um that may, could they be affected before you guys came in for mitigation measures? We are aware that uh slug of the material got outside of containment prior to its installation uh through both natural attenuation within the creek and waterway and through support from in field sampling using direct reading instrumentation. We are not aware of any elevated readings that would we would anticipate to have impact on human health. Janet Rogers, W F and J. Where did those, um, how much volume went into those strains? And where did those streams go to? Do they go into any sources of water? And what are the likelihood of those going into well, water, etcetera? How good is the containment effort and mitigation to remove those chemicals from *** water source? The containment and treatment measures we use again are commonplace and we have found them. It's even used us to be very effective. Uh The watercourse. Yes, it is *** local drains all the way down to Little Beaver Creek and Beaver Creek and eventually the Ohio River. Um So, and you know, we do have sampling extending all the way down into Little Beaver Creek as far as the volume amount. We do not have an accurate estimation on that. Uh You know, we, we did have visual free product on the surfaces within sulfur sulfur run, which is right here in town and again, an amount got past there, but we're not seeing any indications of free product in, in Leslie Run. Little Beaver Creek or anything else like that. What is the acceptable limit in water? And um, what would you say to people about the drinking water right now? How, how water from the water quality standards? Again, East Palestine and all, none of the water systems draw surface water. So none of these waterways have *** surface water intake to be used for potable water. Uh You rely on groundwater network and the area impact in these waterways are outside your groundwater protection area. So there we don't anticipate any impact to your. Again, your public water supply systems are division of drinking and groundwater aware of this. They are actively engaged with the locals and anybody with them or Sankoh, which helps monitor their how river is also aware of this release. And if there are down water intakes along the river that might be threatened, they're already aware of things. Can you give us *** little history on the background of this chemical party? Tell us what it is and what it's used for and how dangerous it is. That'll all be in that release. The frequently asked question release when that comes out once it's approved up through the chain, that that's when that information will be put out spectrum news first off. Thank you guys so much for everything that you guys are doing and helping keep the community informed and stuff. Um I know you guys are stressing that it's so important to stay out of the town, although it may seem obvious. Can you explain why that is so important for residents to remain outside of the city limits and, and that evacuation because the train carrying hazardous material wrecked in the town and is burning doesn't get any simpler than that. Uh W E N part Emergency management, maybe with American Red Cross, we've seen people with masks is that recommended if they do have to step outside their homes, especially if they are in town. So as Ohio E P address, they've been doing air monitoring and there are no recommendations uh for masks due to this instance, I know yesterday we weren't sure whether or not the vinyl chloride was burning. Do we have any more clarity as to what's actually burning in, in the air right now? I can't confirm any of that. Janet Rogers WTMJ News. I'm trying to find out what is the like ventilation systems? I mean, the chemical obviously gets into your ventilation systems, etcetera. So it's probably indoors also. So who can address whether the stuff stays in your circulation systems is where your air H V *** C systems and what type of dangers there are, what levels, what parts per million are acceptable and how close are you monitoring and how far out are you monitoring those levels? Mhm. I can address that. So part our air monitoring and sampling. So it's *** combination air monitoring um to clarify is, gives us *** general indication real time of what the concentrations of the chemicals are in the air. It's not as good as analytical but to make real time decisions, it's, it's our best opportunity to make real time decisions. Currently, we have not seen anything above our established screening levels, but as the chief and the mayor have pointed out, it's *** dynamic situation, things can change at any moment. We still have *** smoldering fire in the cars. Um So that's why we're going to continue to monitor until that stops and then remediation begins. So those things can fluctuate and they could change. Um part of the fact sheet should, we probably should include part of the fact sheet. What those screening levels are that we have *** list of the chemicals provided by um Norfolk Southern. And in addition to that, we monitor for other uh chemicals as well that are products of combustion. So you have the chemicals themselves, but when they burn, they could produce other things and we don't always know um what those chemicals are. So that's why we do air sampling and as we get those air samples, um analytical back, we will be reviewing those with state and federal health officials and sharing them and, and if those tell us anything different than air monitoring, obviously, we'll let the public know, but to give you specific numbers right now, it's hard because every chemical is different, but we are monitoring for *** myriad of chemicals and combustion products. And so far we haven't seen anything actionable, but that's part of the reason why the evacuation zone is in place. We don't want anybody in that one mile because if things change in the near term, it's gonna be hard to adjust those and get everybody out. I was talking with someone from Hazmat yesterday. He says that one of the byproducts when it burned off is actually something that is used as *** toxin or an agent by terrorists. Um, what, what are the chemicals that you are monitoring for that? So I'm gonna go from memory here because it's *** pretty long list. But we have the chemicals of concern that we're in transport. But I'm assuming I'm gonna assume the chemical is probably phosgene. Another contaminant of combustion is hydrochloric acid. We're monitoring for all those as part of our air monitoring and sampling scheme. What street that runs from Market Street? East of Market Street, from Highland Avenue to Jim Town Road. No, we have noticed *** lot of different roads closing but on our maps, they haven't, we're just having to work our way around as we go. Do you have *** specific list of road closures around town that people need to know about? Uh just every uh eastbound road going um east of Market Street. So technically, we don't need anybody over there. Um I've seen we just left the incident command center and I had to wait in traffic at *** stoplight. I haven't had to wait in traffic at *** stoplight here and forever. I had to wait for the second light. It's, it's ridiculous. We need people need to stay out of East Palestine, please. I can't stress that enough. We know the train was heading to Conway Pennsylvania. Do we have any idea where the, those, those chemicals were headed eventually where they were going to be delivered. No, we don't have that information. Hold on, hold on. Go ahead. Thank you so much. I just wanted to ask if there's *** reason why we don't know what was on the other cars because, because of the active incident still going on, we still have fires down there burning. Um, it's just not safe to get in there and 100% identify exactly which cars of that train which I believe had over 100 cars on it somewhere in that nature. Um, exactly which one of those are actively burning. Uh, we have done some drone footage there and, and again, this is outside of us, they're doing their thing to identify that and we're getting information as we get it from them. But this is *** process, safety has to come first, not only for the citizens, but for those of us that are working at this scene. So it's *** methodical process. Absolutely. *** short follow up question. Um, communicate with you guys if they keep *** digital database or manifest that is accessible. Is there another way that they can figure out, you know, I mean, what was on that train? I can't answer any questions based on what Norfolk Southern has or does not have. I was told federally they're required to keep them out with us. That would be *** correct statement. But I can't speak for Norfolk southern man in terms of water in the ground. Is there any risk to potential livestock in the area farms or anything like that? Um Our first round of water quality samples submitted for laboratory analysis are are pending. We're hopeful maybe later today. Most likely tomorrow, Tuesday, that will help dictate some of those future uses. We are unaware of any on that mainstream that are used for, for domestic livestock. And, and again, field indications indicate at, at *** point in time, there was low level uh dissolved phase in there. And currently we don't see that condition because our containment is in place. It is working and we do have that supplemental treatment going on in sulfur run. What led to the arrest yesterday and what kind of charges? Uh okay. This is gonna be the last question. Uh What led to the rest as they were down by the scene late last night And the charge was misconduct at an emergency. That was what they were arrested under. Um and if it continues to happen, they will be continued to be arrested. They went around barricades, they drove up and I think they walked up there. I don't have the specifics. I just know they were by the scene up. It wasn't just they were five the way they were actually by the scene and then at night there's nothing to see. I mean, I don't know why anybody want to be up there. It's, you know, you're breathing toxic fumes in if you're that close. I just want to reiterate that just right there they were. That's how close they were. So, anybody who lives on the streets, the air as of right now is still fine. Our drinking water is still fine. It's all contained in one system. Our wells do not get water from them over there. So everything is good as far as that is concerned. Uh Two things, the East Palestine Village offices will be closed tomorrow. Um Just it's, it's gonna be *** hectic situation here. So anybody who has to pay water bills or anything like that, don't worry about it tomorrow, please. Uh please stay away from the office. Uh If there's any emergency, please contact contact dispatch if you need anything from the village. Uh Second, we had *** council meeting and *** special council meeting tomorrow night. I have canceled those because we will still be under um the stay at home order and the vacuum and the state of emergency. So those will be canceled for tomorrow evening and I will, I will update later when we will reschedule. This will there be another press conference tomorrow at noon. We will do another press conference. Uh We have quite *** bit of meetings tonight and I can't guarantee what time we can get back in here. So we're gonna do it at noon once again, like I said yesterday. And I've said every other press conference, if there's any major changes, all the media will be known immediately immediately, uh, to put out on there. Um, I would appreciate any, any local media if you could put at the bottom to use the 211 and dispatch yesterday was *** very hectic situation there. Um, the air is still safe. I just want to reiterate that and please stay away from East policy to stay away from the wreck. I know it sounds like *** broken record but it's *** very, I don't wanna say dangerous situation is *** very volatile situation that could, could turn into *** dangerous situation if things don't happen the way they should, you know, that is going to have another press conference. Uh They, I think they're working on something but they're still in the planning stages. They just finally got everybody in the town. So that's it. Huh? It does. We're still in the beginning stages of that. So, um we, you know, we'll put that out at *** later, you know, later press conference. So I appreciate everybody. We really need to get back into the command. So thank you, Kurt Koller, K U R T K O L L *** emergency response Office of James Justice J *** M E S J U S T I C E and I'm on scene coordinator with U S C P *** emergency response.