As the voice for registered nurses, including frontline workers in East Liverpool, Salem and Alliance, the Ohio Nurses Association is deeply concerned about the health and safety of East Palestine and surrounding residents, and the possibility of further negative health, safety, and environmental consequences from the hazardous train derailment on February 3rd.

Participation from our federal government is imperative. Though we wish it happened sooner, we applaud Governor DeWine’s request to the White House for medical experts and on-ground assistance from various national agencies, including the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services, Health and Emergency Response Team. We also thank Senator Sherrod Brown for his relentless advocacy for Ohioans. This very serious situation deserves an all-hands-on-deck approach from both state and national levels to protect and educate our communities.

People across the nation are rightfully concerned about the situation in East Palestine and all eyes are on the powers-that-be to do what’s right. There must be transparency from all parties – Norfolk, State and National agencies – to allow residents to be well-positioned to make the best decisions for their families.

Thank you to our members, frontline workers and first responders who continue to be the heroes of our communities. Their courage and dedication to our health and safety does not go unnoticed.