ICYMI: The next accident could happen right here in Indiana, where nearly every day trains hauling hazardous materials roll over the network of more than 5,000 miles of track that weave across the state.
Indiana has dozens, if not hundreds of communities positioned like East Palestine along rail lines. Yet decisions about their safety are often made in faraway boardrooms.are passing through many communities “every single day,” said Bernie Beier, director of Homeland Security for Allen County. There are around 30 million total rail shipments every year, and roughly 7 to 8% of that traffic is hazmat, according to Kahanek with AAR — that means as many as 2.
There is a reason for that, according to AAR: It would be dangerous if people knew in advance the precise details of when and where hazardous chemicals were moving. While that may be true, it makes it difficult to know where exactly in the state and along which railroads the risk is highest. While the specific details of what each train is not disclosed in advance, local officials like Beier believe more could and should be done to raise awareness of the possible risks.
Local emergency planners can request and receive — on an annual basis — a list of hazmats passing through their communities. That helps them plan for the types of products they may encounter and informs their training, which they often do in tandem with the rail companies.
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