County Executive Schoemann Praises First Responders, Emergency Management In Hartford Train Derailment Incident

WEST BEND, Wis. — Yesterday morning at 9:37 a.m., Washington County Dispatch received multiple calls for a train derailment at 250 Constitution Avenue in Hartford. Incident Commander Fire Chief Tony Burgard immediately initiated a MABAS status (Mutual Aid Box Alarm System for surrounding departments to assist) and Fire Departments from Hartford, Richfield, St. Lawrence, West Bend, Allenton and Slinger and Lifestar responded to the 19-car 3-engine derailment. Multiple other agencies responded to backfill those agencies.

County Executive Josh Schoemann praised the emergency crews saying, “Fire Chief Burgard seamlessly commanded a scene with multiple agencies. I’d like to thank the men and women of all the responding agencies – they were exceptional in ensuring the safety of those on scene and managing the cleanup of the derailment.”

Hartford Fire Chief Tony Burgard’s rapid response and arrival on scene proved to be pivotal at the initial stages of this emergency with multiple issues to control. Companies on scene quickly identified minor injuries of three train engineers and transport to the hospital. The responders worked to safely secure the scene, identify hazardous materials cargo and initiate the Washington County Hazardous Materials team to mitigate the diesel and oil spill from the engines involved in the derailment. One car carrying Nitrous Oxide was identified and found not to have been breached with no leakage and was stabilized.

The Washington County HAZMAT team is comprised of members of all 13 fire departments. Companies on scene were directed to immediately begin digging trenches to facilitate the capture of almost 4000 gallons of diesel fuel.

Washington County Chief Public Safety Office Dave Seager, Emergency Management Coordinator Dustin Lofy and Dodge County Emergency Management Coordinator Amber Pulvermacher were on scene to offer resource assistance, requesting the Incident Command Post to facilitate communication and the Milwaukee Fire Bell Club for personnel on scene.

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