The Heinz Endowments is sponsoring a special one day conference on November 13 to discuss the health and safety concerns posed by major increases in oil train movements passing through the Pittsburgh region.
“The sharp increase in oil train traffic in recent years poses potential risks and we need to better understand what this means for our region,” said Grant Oliphant, President of The Heinz Endowments. “This conference provides the opportunity for sharing information with an array of experts and concerned individuals with the aim of developing recommendations for protecting and safeguarding our community.”
The Community Risks & Solutions conference is designed to create a forum for discussion and presentations from a range of more than 20 experts across the U.S., including local elected and government officials, civic leaders, regulators, academics and researchers, and representatives of nonprofits and interested organizations. Attenders include approximately 200 invited guests, comprising government and elected officials, civic and community leaders, and representatives of nonprofit and interested organizations.
Among speakers providing local perspectives will be a representative of the Office of U.S. Senator Bob Casey; Raymond DeMichiei, Deputy Coordinator, City of Pittsburgh, Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security; Alvin Henderson, Jr., Chief of Allegheny County’s Department of Emergency Services; Richard D. Flinn, Jr., Director of Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency; and Tim Solobay, Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner.