A HazMat situation unfolds on Rockford's west side.
Rockford Firefighters donned bright green suits as they tackled a simulated leak from a railroad tanker car. Organizers say they're training for this specific situation, as a direct result of the Cherry Valley train derailment back in 2009.
"We have to prepare for it," said Rockford Fire Dept. Driver/Engineer James Graham, Jr. "Any type of incident that may happen with HazMat, we practice so when that incident does happen... we want to be prepared."
In that Cherry Valley derailment, ethanol leaked from several tankers, sparking a massive fire that could be seen for miles. One woman was killed.
The fire department will continue HazMat training throughout the week.