DELAWARE RIVER VALLEY — For Victoria Lesser of Callicoon, NY, it’s “all aboard,” as she makes sure that there isn’t a repeat of the recent catastrophic derailment near East Palestine, OH in the Upper Delaware River Valley area. 

As with scores of other local folks, Lesser was part of the battle against high-volume hydraulic fracturing, a divisive process used to release natural gas from bedrock that endangers the environment and reportedly poses severe risks to human health.

“After the fracking fight, we had stopped the fracking… you can find something to fight about [because] we are destroying the planet, and my heart breaks for what is coming next,” said Lesser. That was why she and others picked up the gauntlet to look into what hazardous materials are carried by rail through her hometown in the Upper Delaware River corridor.

Noting that she lives in fairly close proximity to the tracks, Lesser recalled that at one point early on, she remembers a train hauling what she described as circus cars. At the time, she thought, “How cool,” but then she “started seeing these big black tankers, sometimes white,” that she believes might be transporting hazardous substances under pressure.

“Two weeks ago, I counted 38 black tanker cars,” she said. “It’s not about stopping these trains, it’s about [knowing] what’s on those trains, and who’s monitoring them. Is it about profits and faulty equipment before people?”

As part of the Facebook group We Are One—Sullivan, an online forum for residents of New York State Congressional District 19 that is designed to “share information on issues that affect us all,” Lesser decided to contact New York State Assemblywoman Aileen M. Gunther, who represents the 100th District.

“We’re not putting together the angry mob yet, but this is one I’m going to get involved in [because] when I watch the trains go by, I hope the tankers stay on the tracks… it’s local,” said Lesser. “After that toxic spill in Ohio, it’s crazy, isn’t it?”

Gunther takes up the cause for rail safety 

After the small group of three met with Gunther, the assemblywoman talked with the River Reporter about the issues raised by the concerned citizens.  

“Some people live close to the railroad and watch it go by every day, and because of the train accidents recently in Ohio, they worry about the impacts it had on the residents as far as clean air… and what [safety] mechanisms are in place for the trains that are passing through Callicoon,” she said.

Addressing the need to have in place emergency response plans in case of derailments, Gunther said, “If there is an emergency situation, if one of the trains comes off the tracks or there is an explosion, do we have emergency plans?” And what does everyone do, exactly?

“All these men and women who volunteer in our fire departments, the Albee Bockmans of the world [Bockman is the founder of MobileMedic EMS, which was recently acquired by Empress EMS], and the volunteer ambulances, is there a plan in place?”

What is in place?

According to numerous sources, there are several emergency response guides (ERGs) available to first responders, published at the federal and local levels. Some of the guides are in the process of being updated.

“One of the folks… said she didn’t know what they’re carrying on these trains and how frightening it was, how scary for the environment,” said Gunther. “We came to the conclusion that it is a federal issue, a state issue and a local issue.” 

Gunther said she thinks the most important next step is to ask “our local officials, the Gillibrands, Schumers and Delgados of the world (Sens. Kristen Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, along with and NYS Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado) to come together, and let’s talk about it… with our wonderful constituents. 

“These are the appropriate folks to invite, jump on board, and we’ll see what happens,” she said.

Noting that train derailments are rare, but are headline-grabbing accidents, Gunther put things in perspective, referring back to the early February incident in Ohio, a disaster that sparked a torrent of public and media attention.

“If it could happen there, it could happen anywhere, so there’s a heightened sense of awareness… when you see a fire in somebody’s house, you tend to check to make sure your smoke alarms work. Better safe than sorry.”

While recognizing that the statistical probability of derailments involving the release of hazardous substances is very low, Gunther said, “When they happen, they can be very bad.”

To contact New York Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, 100th District, call her offices in Monticello at 845/794-5807, Middletown at 845/342-9847, Albany at 518/455-5239, or email gunthera@nyassembly.gov. 

This article is part of a series exploring the safety and protocols for the railroad that traverses the Upper Delaware River Valley. For previous installments, click here.