Casey Jones and the Chlorine Train.
David P. Levitz
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gilling’s School of Public Health
Abstract
This paper places the author into a position of an Emergency Manager (EM) during a train derailment with a rail car chlorine leak within a researched jurisdiction. It begins by addressing who the local lead agency is, along with support agencies. Listing local, county, state and federal level agencies with response and recovery responsibilities. How the state describes the lead and support Emergency Support Functions (ESFs). Lastly it explains some major response challenges and whether to evacuate or shelter those affected in place.
Keywords: emergency manager, emergency support functions
Casey Jones and the Chlorine Train.
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This train is carrying chlorine within a 90-ton rail car which has received significant damage and is leaking. The Incident Commander on scene advises of a small to moderate release of chlorine gas into the environment and a two-hour window before total failure of the container. This incident is threatening the nearby community, which includes a Wal-Mart, elementary school and the No Hope Hospital two blocks