EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — People are just now settling back into their homes in East Palestine, but as things begin to calm down following a week of evacuations and controlled explosions, costs are continuing to pile up, including new gear at the fire department.
"I couldn't even begin to tell you, several hundred thousand dollars in air packs to get us through at this point. I placed that order today because I have to have breathing apparatus for my men," Fire Chief Keith Drabick said.
WKYC checked to see who is footing the bill. Norfolk Southern confirmed the cut a check to the city for fire gear yesterday.
But, as the orders are processed, the station still has calls coming in.
"I can't stop my guys from doing what they're here to do to serve the community, shortly after we broke down the command center the other night, we had a structure fire we had to go to with some of our neighboring departments," Drabick said.
Meanwhile local businesses are suffering financial consequences from the derailment, with five days of lost income and payroll still continuing.
"My bills keep coming. My income was cut for 5 days which was huge. And I had to pay payroll Friday and I didn't have the money for my employees, but I did find a way to do it, I had to take a personal loan," East Palestine business owner Anna Doss said.
Anna Doss owns a local gas station and liquor store.
She had both professionally cleaned when they were allowed back in town due to the smell.
She says she's given her information to Norfolk Southern to get her lost income processed, but hasn't heard anything back.
WKYC Reached out to Norfolk Southern and a spokesperson said they're processing individual's requests first.
"We'll just try to keep working within their system to see if they can help these people, and myself because there's a lot of business owners in a world of hurt right now," Doss said