Hundreds of people gathered outside Matteson’s Village Hall on Friday night, filling the commons with chairs, picnic gear, and smiles. The atmosphere was one of celebration and gratitude as the community came together to honor the first responders who rushed to the scene of a massive train derailment. Within just three minutes of the incident, these brave men and women had arrived and ensured the safety of the residents.
Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin took to the stage to express her appreciation for the first responders. “These people right here made sure we stayed safe. They were there within minutes. Let’s give them a hand,” she said, prompting a round of applause from the crowd.
What started as an annual music festival had turned into a first responder dedication. The community had come together to show their support and gratitude for the heroes who put their lives on the line every day.
On Thursday, a freight train derailed, causing more than 20 cars to go off the tracks and leading to the evacuation of nearby homes. However, thanks to the quick response of the first responders, everyone was safely evacuated and has since returned home.
As the clean-up efforts continued, new details emerged about the process. “They will see some smoke in the area because they have to do flaring to burn this off,” explained Mayor Chalmers-Currin. The Environmental Protection Agency was on the scene, and Canadian National was burning off the propane vapors. This odorless and smokeless process was expected to take 48 hours.
Fire Chief Michael Bacon also spoke about the clean-up efforts, stating, “They’re burning off remaining vapors on these rail cars of liquid propane, which are not hazardous, like your grill at home. I was told by Canadian National and members from hazmat that this could not have gone any smoother.”
The incident served as a reminder of the importance of being prepared for any emergency. “I sit through these classes and think it’s never gonna happen. And it did. So, we’re prepared,” said Matteson’s police chief, Michael Jones.
He went on to explain how first responders are now equipped with drones and other advanced technology to better handle emergencies. “We can send them in and make sure there are no casualties and read the placard so we know exactly what we’re dealing with and get info to fire so they know what they’re dealing with. Those are game-changers over the last 10 years,” Jones said.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and no homes were damaged during the derailment. The community came together to express their gratitude for the first responders’ quick and efficient actions. “We are made up of a diverse people. Just to see everyone come out and celebrate is really nice, especially after what happened yesterday. We need to be cognizant of what we need to be grateful for,” said Marlene Simmons, a resident of Chicago.
The festival featured a performance by Grammy winner Eric Benét, followed by a spectacular fireworks display to cap off the night. “The evacuation is over, and we can get back to being one in the community and have fun today,” said resident Misty Carter.
The event was a true testament to the strength and unity of the community. Despite the scary incident, the residents came together to celebrate and show their appreciation for the first responders. It was a reminder that in times of crisis, we can count on each other for support and strength.
As the night came to an end, the community was filled with a sense of gratitude and pride for their first responders. They had shown that they are always ready to put their lives on the line to keep the community safe. It was a night to remember and a reminder to always be grateful for the heroes among us.
