For more than two hours Tuesday night, people affected by the East Palestine train derailment were given a platform to voice their questions, concerns and frustrations to the NTSB about the fateful night of February 3, 2023 and the subsequent investigation.

"Will Norfolk and the EPA be held accountable," one resident asked.

"From what I heard, the train had been on fire already coming from Salem, why didn't they dump it in a field," another resident asked.

For some, emotions were running high.

"This is our town, these trains shouldn't be flying through town like this," one resident tearfully screamed.

Many others were wondering what comes next.

"That night, February 3rd, I heard a second train approaching the derailment site and I heard the screeching of the second train and thought it was last time was going to see my husband and son, whare are you doing to put plans in place where that can never happen because I thought that night, a second train was going to collide into the first."

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy reassured the community it will do whatever it takes.

"We do not hold back on working with everybody to get our recommendations implemented to prevent this type of thing from reoccurring and that's what we're going to do," Homendy said.

Questions were also raised about the controversial vent and burn, adequacy of training provided to volunteer firefighters and if the NTSB would recommend for a public health emergency declaration.

"The only reason we don't is because our mandate by law is to determine to look at the accident and to determine what happened, how it happened and to issue safety recommendations that are aimed at preventing the derailment from occuring and the fire and the release," Homendy said.

While the NTSB's final report is a crucial step, for many in East Palestine - it marks the beginning of a long road to recovery and assurance of safety.

You can read our full story about today's board meeting with the NTSB here on wfmj.com or the 21 News app.