UTLX Donates Rail Tank Car to Enhance First Responder Training Across Chicagoland

The official handover will take place on Dec. 8 at the Calumet City Public Safety Training Center, located at 24 State Street in Calumet City. The rail tank car will become a permanent asset at the training center, “ensuring that first responders are better prepared for emergency responses involving rail tank cars and hazardous materials,” UTLX noted.

Headquartered in Chicago along with its parent company, Marmon Holdings, UTLX “recognizes the vital role first responders play in protecting the public and responding to rail-related incidents,” the company said.

“This rail tank car donation will provide invaluable hands-on training opportunities for Chicagoland firefighters and emergency personnel,” said UTLX President Neil Finn. “We’re proud to support the fire department as they prepare to respond safely and effectively to real-world scenarios involving rail tank cars.”

“Rail incidents are complex, and firefighters need to understand the real hazards they’ll face in the field,” said Lt. Matt Drew of the Chicago Fire Department. “This rail tank car gives us the ability to practice safe, methodical response techniques before we ever encounter a true emergency, which ultimately protects both our firefighters and the community.”

Members of the media are invited to attend the handover event, which will feature representatives from UTLX, the Chicago and Calumet City Fire Departments, and Hulcher Services Inc., whose expertise, the company says, “was essential in coordinating the logistics of this donation.”