EAST PALESTINE — Jim McPherson, chosen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to oversee East Palestine’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.

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. He’s from Boston.

McPherson will also 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 skillset 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 Thursday news release from FEMA 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,” said FEMA Region 5 Administrator Tom Sivak. “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.”

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.

Although Biden ordered federal agencies to continue holding Norfolk Southern accountable for its derailment, he still stopped short of declaring a disaster.

The lack of a disaster declaration has been a key concern for many residents, but officials have said this situation doesn’t easily fit the definition of a disaster because Norfolk Southern is paying to clean up the mess and help the town recover so unpaid bills aren’t piling up. The railroad has committed $95 million to the community already as part of a response the railroad expects to cost at least $803 million.

Still, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine requested a disaster declaration back in July to make sure any unmet needs would be covered if Norfolk Southern did renege in its often-stated promise to make things right in East Palestine.

DeWine’s spokesman, Dan Tierney, said the governor is glad the Biden administration “affirmed their long-term commitment to supporting the residents of East Palestine, including the consideration of federal disaster aid should Norfolk Southern not fulfill its obligation to fully compensate the residents of East Palestine and clean up the aftermath of the derailment.”

East Palestine resident Jessica Conard said the order is a step in the right direction, but she still has concerns.

“It’s a lofty title for an incremental change,” she said.

In particular, she questioned how the FEMA coordinator will effectively assess unmet needs of residents without chemical testing to their bodies or homes.

“I’m hopeful that we as residents can direct this narrative and that the emergency management services that are in place will support the residents through this process.”

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, who co-sponsored a package of railroad safety reforms after the derailment that’s still awaiting a vote in the Senate, said it’s important to make sure that Norfolk Southern delivers on all its promises.

“This is an overdue but welcomed step to support the people of East Palestine,” said Brown, D-Ohio. “There is still much more work to do to make this community whole and I will continue to push the administration to deliver for East Palestine and hold Norfolk Southern accountable.”

The White House said that if FEMA identifies needs that aren’t being met or if Norfolk Southern changes the aid it is offering, it will reassess the disaster declaration.