(PartiallyPolitics.com) The White House has provided an explanation of why Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s request for disaster relief was denied following the train derailment led to a toxic spill.
A Biden administration official had said to Fox News Digital that they would provide extensive assistance to communities in the surrounding area that might be affected by the chemical release. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), however, has said that their agency is not well equipped to support the state’s current requirements. The agency is usually able to provide relief to those communities who have been affected by natural disasters.
An official told Fox News that since February 3rd, the Environmental Protection Agency has brought officials to help on the ground. They added that FEMA has been “coordinating with the emergency operations center working closely with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.”
However, they added that this situation is fundamentally different from the type of crises that FEMA is able to provide assistance in, and that East Palestine’s needs are far more extensive.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Transportation, and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), are all actively helping local residents in the area.
The official has added that each of these agencies has unique capabilities to help with different aspects of the community’s needs.
On Thursday White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre had similarly said that the administration’s predominant focus is the “health and safety of the community.”
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