Fort Worth Would be Unaware if Toxic Cargo Came Through

Read Time:2 Minute, 24 Second

(TNS) – Freight trains are a common sight in and around Fort Worth.

Not a surprising sight since 10,460 miles of railroad tracks crisscross Texas — most in any state in the U.S., according to the Association of American Railroads.

What happened in East Palestine, Ohio, Feb. 3 is a cautionary tale for Tarrant County. A freight train carrying flammable and toxic chemicals including vinyl chloride, a human carcinogen, ran off its tracks. Railroad company officials and Ohio state leaders — fearing an explosion — decided to conduct a controlled burn of the cars containing toxic chemicals sending plumes of black smoke into the air.

No injuries or deaths have been reported so far, but many fear a broader environmental disaster brewing. Hundreds of dead fish were found in an East Palestine creek. There is now concern about the drinking water in the area.

More than a dozen trains have jumped the tracks in the U.S. so far this year. Could something like this happen in Tarrant County?

The Star-Telegram asked the Tarrant County Emergency Management Office to share what plans the county has in place if a train runs off the tracks in and around Fort Worth.

Star-Telegram:Does the Tarrant County Emergency Management Office have a plan in place for a train derailment with hazardous material within the county?

Randy Renois, Tarrant County Fire Marshal: Yes.

S-T: Could you describe what that plan looks like?

RR: It deals with all aspects of the incident from response to recovery involving all our local, state and federal partners.

S-T: Is there a different plan in place if a derailed train was carrying something non-chemically hazardous, such as food or lumber?

RR:No.

S-T: Do railroad companies share the contents of their cargo with your office, specifically if what they’re carrying is hazardous material?

RR: At the time of the incident, yes, and each train has a manifest on board with all the information.

S-T:Does your office know when trains carrying hazardous materials pass through Tarrant County ?

RR: No, trains pass in and out of Tarrant County everyday carrying all types of hazardous materials.

S-T: Has your office had any conversations in the wake of the Ohio train derailment on what the county’s response might be in a similar situation?

RR: No, all of the hazmat teams in our county are prepared to respond to any type of derailment involving hazardous cargo.