Fact check: Digital IDs not yet distributed in East Palestine, contrary to online claims

Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY
·3 min read

The claim: East Palestine residents received digital IDs tracking health months before derailment

A Feb. 24 Instagram video shows a news broadcast about a digital ID program in East Palestine.

"OHIO UPDATE," reads the on-screen text. "If it doesn't get WEIRDER than this! 3 months ago East Palestine, OH was at the center of a pilot program to respond to EMERGENCY situations. They gave digital ID's FOR FREE to residents to track long term health problems like 'difficulty breathing.'"

The Instagram post, which originated as a tweet, garnered more than 2,000 likes in four days. The original tweet garnered more than 6,000 likes in two weeks.

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Our rating: Partly False

East Palestine is one of many communities to join a digital ID program, but this post mischaracterizes the program. The IDs do not track vitals, and they have not yet been distributed to East Palestine residents.

Digital ID not yet distributed in East Palestine

More than two weeks after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, residents continue to complain about headaches and skin rashes.

These symptoms aren't being tracked by a digital ID, however.

In an October 2022 broadcast, Ohio station WKBN-27 discussed the new "MyID" program being brought to East Palestine.

The ID comes in several forms, such as a bracelet or sleeve, and it allows First Responders to access your medical profile, according to the product's website. It gives medical information critical to patient care such as medication allergies to help ensure proper care can be given in an emergency.

The IDs have not yet been distributed in East Palestine, according to local officials.

Multiple cars of a Norfolk Southern train lie toppled after derailing at a train crossing with Ohio 41 in Clark County, Ohio, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Bill Lackey/Springfield-News Sun via AP) ORG XMIT: OHSPR602
Multiple cars of a Norfolk Southern train lie toppled after derailing at a train crossing with Ohio 41 in Clark County, Ohio, Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Bill Lackey/Springfield-News Sun via AP) ORG XMIT: OHSPR602

"As of today, there have not been any devices given out to the community," Keith Drabick, East Palestine Fire Chief, told USA TODAY in an email. "The fire department has not even received the devices yet – there were only open house events to inform the residents of the device."

Drabick explained that the device doesn't track your location or vitals and was made for patients who are either unconscious or unable to communicate.

"The only thing it displays is whatever information the patient decides to put in it," Drabick said. Examples include one's "name, date of birth, emergency contacts and important medical information that may be pertinent to patient care, especially allergies to medications that could be given in the ambulance."

Ohio train derailment fact check: What's true and what's false?

Aaron Treanor, CEO of the MyID company, told the Associated Press his company has worked with first responders in numerous other states, including Florida and California.

After the train derailment, WKBN-27 aired a follow-up broadcast addressing online conspiracy theories about the MyID.

USA TODAY reached out to the Twitter and Facebook users who shared the posts for comment.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: Digital IDs not yet distributed in East Palestine