He has a job because things go boom, but Tom Hart hates when trucks, cars, pipelines, frack wells, and houses and businesses make that damn sound.
Tom is a Cameron native who lives in Cameron today despite the miles between his home and his office, and that’s truly because it’s a Cameron thing. He’s also the head basketball coach for the Dragons, loves his spicy chicken wings, and is a devoted family man.
When it comes to serving his position as director of the Emergency Management Agency, Hart is dedicated to offering Marshall County residents the information they need to live safely in both urban and rural areas, and he, his staff, and deputies with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office work 24 hours every day to ensure regulations are being followed, that speed limits are being enforced, and that the county’s secondary roads are passable.
Oh, and when things do go boom, Hart cooperates with county officials to coordinate developed action plans, and his work involves planning for the future, as well.
How did you initially get involved with emergency management?
“I’ve been around public safety most of my life. My dad began a career with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office in the mid-’70s when I was about 5 years old. I loved fire trucks, as well, so when we would go with my grandparents to shop for dinner, if there was a fire department on the way, my grandad would slow down or stop so I could see the trucks. I joined the fire department in Cameron in 1988, when I turned 18, then later 911 dispatch. I guess all of this led me to emergency management.”
What’s the best part and the worst parts about the job?
“The people I have had the opportunity to meet, know, work with, and become friends with over the years are the best part. There have been so many. Plus, all of the agencies and organizations that I have, and still have the opportunity to work with on so many different projects are the best part too. The worst part of any public safety job is the loss of life. It’s also heartbreaking to see people’s homes damaged, or even worse, destroyed from flooding. It’s heart-wrenching.”
What is the scariest part, especially with all of the development connected to the gas and oil industries?
“It’s not an accident-free industry. Anything can happen at a moment’s notice. It continues to grow. We have more well pads, pipelines and processing facilities than ever before. They cover the county. The fact there is so much countywide is a legitimate concern, and it will continue to grow.”
Will the entire city of Moundsville need to evacuate if there is a major problem at the proposed petrochemical “cracker” plant across the Ohio River?
“Although there is nothing there yet and nothing has been officially announced, we have to think forward and realistically. However, we also have to think worse-case scenario if this facility becomes a reality like when the oil and gas industries took off here almost 13 years ago. This facility will be a whole new animal all to itself. We will have to plan accordingly.”
Have the gas and oil industries improved your hometown of Cameron, or have they had a negative impact on it?
“It has brought new customers and new sales to a lot of the locally owned businesses whether it’s been fuel, food, etc. It has brought more people into the community. A lot of the local businesses have had to hire more people creating more local jobs. Some of the companies have partnered on projects whether with funding and donations or even volunteering on locally driven community improvement projects.
“The downside has been the increased truck traffic, oversized loads, water and sand trucks, etc. Travel time to say Moundsville, Wheeling or Waynesburg has increased by at least 15-20 minutes on a good day. I think it has bolstered the local economy while creating a lot of inconvenience for the residents, many who do not benefit financially from the development of the oil and gas industries.”
