CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign Fire Department has been getting extra training hours this week; specifically with their response when hazardous materials are involved.

Friday morning, crews participated in a mock chemical spill drill. The training was successful: it simulated what to do in the event of a train collision and a hazardous spill.

The Champaign Fire Department Battalion Chief said it’s pretty rare for their first responders to be able to learn on such advanced equipment. Since Tuesday, firefighters have worked with the Norfolk Southern Railroad Safety Train in cooperation with Canadian National.

Their training included classroom instructions and a rail car review. Crews learned how the cars on the train are put together, and proper response steps when a incident involving a train, like a fire, a derailment or a chemical spill, takes place.

“This is a very unique opportunity for our guys to be able to work on a real train with real equipment,” said Brian Ball, Champaign Fire Department Battalion Chief. “And they have appliances and valves that we don’t normally practice with, with our training props.”

Chief Ball said the goal of this training is to put his first responders in situations they may not have experienced yet. Now, they will know what to do if they respond to this type of emergency.

The Battalion Chief said they do not see these situations often. In fact, the last similar incident he mentioned was about two years ago in Pesotum. There was a train derailment, but no hazardous chemicals were present.