Excerpts from a recent article in the Daily Herald:
Recent spikes in oil train traffic, combined with high-profile explosions and pollution incidents across the U.S., have put suburban fire departments on high alert. Firefighters interviewed for this series say they are constantly training and have mutual aid agreements in place for worst-case scenarios. However, even the best preparations can be undermined by unpredictable events, according to officials.
This is not just a hypothetical concern. In places like Glen Ellyn, a 1976 derailment involving ammonia led to a large-scale evacuation and 14 injuries. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers that come with transporting hazardous materials through residential areas.
According to a review of 15½ years of hazmat reports, there have been 345 incidents involving trains in the metropolitan area. Firefighters may face a wide range of dangerous substances on any given day, including toxic chemicals like hydrochloric acid, ammonia, or xylene, as well as highly flammable liquids such as ethanol or Bakken crude oil.
Aurora, one of Illinois’ largest cities, has around 195 firefighters, with about 30 trained hazmat specialists on staff. Rail companies like Union Pacific and BNSF are working to improve emergency response through extensive training programs. In 2014, Union Pacific trained 314 first responders on crude oil safety, while BNSF trained over 8,600 people this year.
Despite these efforts, concerns remain. The Federal Railroad Administration plans to phase out older DOT-111 tank cars within two years, but critics argue the policy gives the industry too much flexibility by only applying restrictions to trains with 20 or more high-hazard flammable cars.
Fire chief Krestan from Lisle-Woodridge warns that if a train carrying Bakken oil were to derail in a densely populated area, the consequences could be severe and long-lasting. “We’re not against trains passing through, but we’re worried about them sitting idly on the tracks for hours,†he said.
Existing policies require first responders to rely on paper manifests, which can be outdated or incomplete. Barrington Fire Chief Jim Arie argues that real-time electronic access to train contents would significantly improve response times and safety. While some railroads, like CN, offer mobile apps or direct communication channels, full implementation remains limited.
For now, fire departments continue to prepare for the worst, knowing that the risks associated with hazardous material transportation are real and ever-present.
Thanks, Dan
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