Trains and trucks carry deadly chemicals

By Mathias Kamin
Freight trains carry every type of goods imaginable; from textiles and food stuffs to metal and lumber. Hazardous chemicals are also moved via these lines. Every year, 2.95 million tons of hazardous materials travel through New York State by rail. According to the office of Senator Charles Schumer there were 17 rail accidents in the North Country between the years 2000 and 2006. These accidents caused more than 4 million dollars in damage. During the same period of time there were 572 rail accidents in upstate New York, causing nearly 34 million dollars in damages.
“In March, a CSX freight train hauling derailed in Oneida, NY. Several of the cars were carrying dangerous chemicals, and they ignited, sending a fireball into the sky seen from miles away. Thousands were evacuated, and the FRA was sent in to investigate the crash. Of course, the reason for the derailment was a crack in the rail. This is just another chapter in the long story of railroad negligence when it comes to safety.” Senator Charles Schumer stated on May 22, 2007 at a hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security.
According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles in 2007 there were 12,265 accidents involving “large trucks” on roads in New York, of these 128 involved fatalities. Everyday there are 3000 freight trucks carrying highly hazardous materials in New York State. These materials include but are not limited to chlorine, ammonia, liquid petroleum and plutonium.
According to Eric Day, Director of Clinton County Emergency Services, 10 trains pass through Plattsburgh each day. Eight are carrying freight and 2 are passenger trains. Aboard the freight trains occasionally are toxic chemicals and other hazardous materials. As for what exactly is coming through town by train on a certain day, it is unknown.
“It depends on what the clients want shipped to them. You don’t always know what’s here and there,” stated Day.
Day explained that Canadian Pacific Rail, which owns the railroads in Plattsburgh, will periodically, upon request by his office, give an update on what they normally carry.
Don’t be too worried though; CCES has a “library of reference materials” for the determination of exactly how to proceed in the event of a disaster, intentional or otherwise.
Firefighters and EMS would be the first responders to such an accident, and all of these 22 fire departments and 21 EMS groups under Day’s control have had hazardous materials training.
CCES is the dispatch unit for all of Clinton County. The job of CCES is to coordinate the appropriate response to any emergency in the county that may need the use of more than one department. CCES is part of a state wide coalition of other emergency departments that will respond if requested in the event of an emergency.