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14-Year-Old Addresses Confusion During Paulsboro Train Derailment With Eagle Scout Project

By Cleve Bryan

WEST DEPTFORD Twp., N.J., (CBS) -- Robert Alscher, 14, has an Eagle Scout project that might save lives in the event of a chemical spill.

Alscher is a junior firefighter with the Thorofare Fire Company and heard from the guys at the station about the challenge of getting residents to shelter-in-place during the Paulsboro train derailment in November 2012.

"Well during the meetings a lot of firefighters were saying that they had to help teach people what to do," says Alscher.

Alscher decided for an Eagle Scout project to make kits and an educational pamphlet to help people shelter-in-place.

"If a chemical spill is released then you use plastic sheeting to seal up all your doors and windows and air vents with duct tape so that no chemicals get in," says Alscher.

All summer long he worked with businesses to get donations of duct tape, plastic sheeting, scissors, first aid kits, water bottles and more.

This week, before starting his freshman year at Gateway Regional High School, Alscher gathered fellow members of Troop 295 to assemble the kits.

He will set up a booth and hand out the 380 kits this Saturday at the West Deptford Fun Day at the Riverwinds.

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