Firefighters Train for Oil Spill Response
CT 06 04 18 (PHOTO SUPPLIED)

Chillicothe firefighters utilized a pond at Green Hills Golf Course last week to learn how to respond to a hazardous materials spill if one would occur and contaminate a body of water. The training included learning how to connect 50-foot pieces of booms for deployment and then getting into the water to deploy the booms by boat. The training was conducted by Tony Houdyshell, who is with the emergency response division of Canadian Pacific Railroad, along with several environmentalists. The training prepares the firefighters to be able to effectively respond to a situation such as a train derailment or a tractor trailer accident that could cause an oil spill into a body of water, said Zach Parks, CFD firefighter/ paramedic.

The department now has access to equipment to respond and mitigate the situation as necessary. CP Railroad gave to the city a trailer, a 1,000-foot containment boom, a boat and motor to be used to respond to an oil spill or any other type of emergency when needed. CP is the main railroad through Chillicothe and the company is stationing oil spill response trailers along its line. The nearest CP Rail response trailers are located in Ottumwa, Iowa, and Kansas City.

CAPTION: Chillicothe firefighters utilize a pond at Green Hills Golf Course and learn how to respond to a hazardous materials spill if one would occur and contaminate a body of water.