EAST PALESTINE, Ohio - The man named to oversee the federal government’s long-term recovery efforts following the East Palestine train derailment, chemical spill, and fire has a long history of government service.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced on Thursday that Jim McPherson has been appointed as Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator for communities affected by Norfolk Southern’s February 3, 2023, derailment.

The appointment comes one day after President Biden issued an executive order declaring East Palestine and neighboring communities a federal disaster area.

According to FEMA, McPherson is directed to assess any unmet needs that are not addressed by Norfolk Southern and would qualify for Federal assistance.

McPherson is also authorized to collaborate with Federal, State, and local governments, the private sector, and voluntary, faith-based, and community organizations supporting the recovery.

McPherson’s experience with FEMA includes his appointment as Federal Coordinating Officer to assist recovery operations after disasters due to severe storms and flooding in New Hampshire in July 2019 as well as recovery efforts after storms and flooding two years later in Vermont.

Before his career with FEMA, McPherson served with the U.S. Coast Guard for more than 35 years, eventually serving as Chief of Staff for an 8-state Northeast region, stretching from the Canadian border to New Jersey.

According to the news release from FEMA, McPherson is equipped with “a skill set 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.”

“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.

The Biden announcement comes seven months after the derailment and repeated calls from political critics to visit East Palestine.

Biden’s press secretary told reporters earlier this month that the president would go to East Palestine, but thus far no date has been announced.