Emergency Management and Red Cross officials were a visible sight in West Frankfort Friday, March 21st. Emergency Management Director Ryan M. Buckingham directed FCEMA personnel to begin taking preliminary damage assessments, and provide recovery information to affected citizens. “Today’s activities were the first steps in the process of disaster recovery” said Director Buckingham. “We have coordinated our damage assessment activities with the American Red Cross”. Buckingham said the data collected will be forwarded to the State of Illinois’s Unified Area Command in Williamson County.

Minutes following the derailment of 21 cars on an 83-car locomotive, early Monday morning, emergency crews from across southern Illinois were dispatched to the scene near Mitchell Lake, just outside of Christopher.

Franklin County Emergency Management Agency responded with the West Frankfort Fire Department (Lead Agency), Union Pacific Railroad, and fire crews from Zeigler, Chirstopher, Royalton, Sesser, Williamson County, & the M.A.B.A.S. Division 45 Hazardous Materials Team. Law enforcement units from the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Christopher Police Department, Zeigler Police Department, Illinois State Police, and Union Pacific Railroad Police had also responded to the incident. Mercy Regional Emergency Health Services also responded units to the scene, and units to stand by at the Christopher Civic Center. Additional responding agencies include the American Red Cross, Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois EPA, United States EPA, the City Of Du Quoin Emergency Services & Disaster Agency.             

Homes located within 1/2 of a mile from the scene of the incident were evacuated due to reports of a hazardous odor coming from the wreckage. Following protocol an evacuation order was issued by the incident commander, and a medium scale evacuation of the area began. Firefighters, Police Officers, and Emergency Mgmt. workers went door to door to evacuate residents living in the area.

The American Red Cross was immediately contacted to set up a temporary shelter site for the displaced residents at the Christopher Civic Center.

Records indicate 11 residents were taken to the hospital (6 by private vehicle, 5 by ambulance) with complaints of of irritation to their eyes, throat, nose and skin.

All those who sought medical assistance were treated and released, according to hospital staff.

The Franklin County Emergency Management Agency would like to thank all agencies involved as well as our local officials, elected officials, private business owners who donated foor and supplies, and all partners in the Franklin County Disaster Plan.