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EAST PALESTINE -- Jim McPherson, chosen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to oversee the community's recovery from the Norfolk Southern Feb. 3 derailment and fire, is no stranger to disaster.
Wednesday, President Joe Biden issued an executive order directing FEMA to designate a federal disaster recovery coordinator to oversee the long-term recovery efforts in the communities affected by Norfolk Southern's train derailment in East Palestine.
FEMA chose McPherson to conduct a comprehensive assessment of any unmet needs that are not addressed by Norfolk Southern and would qualify for federal assistance.
A Boston resident, McPherson is an emergency management specialist and experienced disaster recovery coordinator with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. He is skilled in public affairs, crisis management, intelligence analysis, crisis communications and government, according to his background information.
McPherson also will collaborate with federal, state and local governments, the private sector and voluntary, faith-based and community organizations supporting the recovery. These efforts will complement the Biden-Harris Administration's ongoing, whole-of-government response effort in the aftermath of the train derailment, a news release states.
McPherson comes with a skill set that is applicable to the localized, complex nature of the East Palestine response, and he will support the community in meeting its long-term recovery goals.
"This appointment will enhance FEMA's already close coordination with our local, state and federal partners in East Palestine following the Norfolk Southern train derailment," the news release from FEMA issued Thursday states.
"In the aftermath of Norfolk Southern's train derailment, FEMA worked closely with state, local and federal partners to support the people of East Palestine and the state of Ohio," FEMA Region 5 Administrator Tom Sivak said. "President Biden's executive order affirms the administration's ongoing and steadfast commitment to supporting impacted communities, and Coordinator McPherson will help ensure successful recovery efforts over the long-term."
Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw, who was in East Palestine on Thursday for the groundbreaking on a $20 million first responder training facility, said he supports any relief from the federal government to the village but stressed that Norfolk Southern remains committed to East Palestine's recovery -- no matter what other aid the community may receive.
"We have been aligned on this from Day One," Shaw said. "I said we were going to invest in this community. And we have and we will continue to invest in East Palestine.
"We are going to see this through and help in any way that we can. I understand my responsibility and what we need to do, and we welcome any additional support to help this community recover and thrive."
Following the February train wreck in East Palestine, FEMA provided technical and operational assistance to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, interagency partners and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.
At peak, FEMA had 70 staff members on the ground in East Palestine to support the effort.