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Fire chief: We’re prepared for rail disaster

Chief Forezzi says his department is continually meeting, planning, and training for any disaster, including rail mishaps

WNYT.com

ALBANY, N.Y. — Can what happened in Quebec, Canada last month happen in the Capital Region? To make sure that it can’t, Albany officials Thursday night began gathering opinions, advice, and information on railroad safety.

Fire officials say it is extremely unlikely that what happened in Quebec will happen here, but it became clear on Thursday night that people in Albany are concerned, especially after finding out what’s rolling through their community every day. On any given day, as much as three million gallons of crude oil is transported by rail right through the heart of downtown Albany.

“We’re talking here in Albany about a potential far worse catastrophe then what happened in Lac-Megantic,” said Gregory Bell, of Albany, who delivered his “Blueprint for Action Concerning Extreme Tank Train Hazzards to Albany” paper to the Common Council’s Public Safety Committee.

Full story: Albany fire chief: We’re prepared for rail disaster