Downers Grove 'Chemical Spill,' Road Closures During Wednesday Disaster Demo

Downers Grove residents should not be alarmed on Wednesday if they spot a questionable solution spilled on or around local railroad, roadway and waterway intersections.

The faux chemical spill will be part of a simulation by Downers Grove and several prominent disaster preparedness agencies including BNSF Railway and the DuPage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DuPage OHSEM).

The teams are collaborating on Wednesday, Aug. 31, for a training along the tracks near Warren and Oakwood avenues. From 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day, the intersection will be impassable and parking will be restricted in areas identified on this article's accompanying map.

"The purpose of the exercise is to prepare for the possibility of a railway hazardous chemical emergency response," officials said. "Accidents can occur for a variety of reasons and it's imperative that first responders, local agencies and railroad operators are ready to work together."

DuPage OHSEM has developed a Hazard Specific Railroad Disaster Plan that will serve as the simulation's framework. The BNSF Line was selected, in part, because of its role as a crucial commuter and commerce route. On average, 106 commuter trains and between 30 to 40 freight trains pass through Downers Grove each day, officials noted.

"Rail is the safest mode of land transportation for freight in general, and is one of the safest ways to transport hazardous material," they said. "BNSF provides free railroad hazmat response training to local emergency responders in communities across the country."

In 2015, BNSF trained a record-setting 10,000-plus local emergency responders.

Wednesday's training will include:

• Reminder notifications to residents via orange door hangers and a telephone call from the village.
• Public safety vehicles from multiple jurisdictions parked on side streets.
• To simulate a hazardous spill, nontoxic dye will be added to water that will be flushed from a hydrant. This colored water will appear on roadways and portions of St. Joseph's Creek.
• To ensure safety, Warren Avenue between Northcott and Linscott will be closed from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Temporary No Parking signs will be posted and access to and from the neighborhood will be available via Prairie Avenue.
• The training exercise is partially funded by a Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grant provided by IEMA, as well as the participating agencies.

Officials from other states and local agencies have been invited to practice and observe responses.