Here's a rewritten version of the text: --- I recently came across some alarming reports from a Daily Herald article about the challenges faced by suburban fire departments dealing with hazardous materials transported by rail. The surge in oil trains combined with several high-profile accidents and spills across the U.S. has left these departments struggling to stay prepared. Firefighters interviewed for this series mentioned that they undergo continuous training and have mutual aid agreements for worst-case scenarios. However, even the best-laid plans can fall short when confronted with situations beyond their control, according to authorities. This isn't just hypothetical in places like Glen Ellyn, where back in 1976, a derailment spilled ammonia, forcing a major evacuation and resulting in 14 injuries. It's not just fuel that poses risks either; records show that the Daily Herald reviewed 15½ years of hazmat reports involving trains and found 345 incidents in the metropolitan area. These included dangerous chemicals like hydrochloric acid, ammonia, and solvents such as xylene, along with highly flammable liquids like ethanol and Bakken crude oil. Take Aurora, for example, one of Illinois' largest cities. They have around 195 firefighters, including about 30 hazmat specialists. Union Pacific's spokesperson, Mark Davis, highlighted that the company trains approximately 2,500 local, state, and federal first responders each year on minimizing derailment impacts. In 2014 alone, they trained 314 responders specifically on crude oil safety. Similarly, BNSF's Roxanne Butler mentioned that their railroad trained 8,619 first responders this year, offering hands-on training sessions upon request. Despite these efforts, some firefighters argue that the Federal Railroad Administration's proposal to phase out older DOT-111 tank cars transporting ethanol and crude oil within two years doesn't go far enough. The current policy only applies to trains with 20 or more high-hazard flammable cars, giving the industry loopholes to exploit. For instance, Lisle-Woodridge's Krestan pointed out that if a train carrying Bakken oil were to derail in their central business district, the consequences could be devastating for the entire community. The American Association of Railroads supports upgrading tank cars to be more robust and safer. Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company Chief Jim Bodony expressed concerns over trains carrying hazardous materials idling on tracks for extended periods, especially those loaded with ethanol or crude oil. This fear isn't unfounded; remember the incident in 1976 when a Chicago and North Western Railway train derailed near Glen Ellyn, releasing ammonia and causing significant environmental damage. Barrington Fire Chief Jim Arie emphasized the need for quicker access to detailed information during emergencies. Current practices, which rely on physical manifests handed to first responders, are impractical. He advocates for real-time electronic access to train contents, though this hasn't been implemented yet. CN's Waldron noted that their communications center can send train manifests via email or fax upon request. Additionally, they offer a mobile app providing near-real-time data about hazardous materials on trains. BNSF also has an emergency hotline for firefighters to quickly obtain vital information. Thanks to Dan for sharing this insightful piece! --- This version adds more context, personalizes the narrative slightly, and expands on certain points while staying true to the original content.

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