Officials Review Response to December Trenton Train Derailment

Emergency crews discuss lessons learned and areas for improvement after chaotic scene

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Emergency officials who responded to the train derailment near Trenton in late December participated in an after-action session to discuss their response efforts. While the overall response was hailed as a success, officials remained transparent about areas for improvement, including staging distance, communication, and medical proximity. The meeting also focused on the physical needs of the crews and the ongoing cleanup efforts.

Why it matters

Train derailments can have catastrophic consequences, so it's critical for emergency responders to review their actions and identify ways to enhance preparedness and response for future incidents. This review session allows officials to learn from the Trenton event and make improvements that could save lives in the next emergency.

The details

The initial incident commander, Assistant Trenton Fire Chief Wade Chester, coordinated a multi-agency effort that prevented the derailment from escalating. Officials discussed issues such as initial emergency perimeters being too close to the wreckage, the need for more streamlined radio and inter-agency data sharing, and strategies to ensure medical care staff are positioned closer to the incident site. The meeting also focused on equipping volunteer fire departments with the right equipment and purchasing air monitors to protect responders and the public.

  • The train derailment occurred in late December 2025.
  • Emergency officials participated in the after-action session on Friday, February 21, 2026.

The players

Wade Chester

Assistant Trenton Fire Chief who served as the initial incident commander and coordinated the multi-agency response effort.

Ash Groves

Todd County Emergency Management Director who spoke about the specific equipment that volunteer fire departments should have to respond to incidents in the future.

John Stahl

Trenton Fire Chief who said his department will soon purchase air monitors to better protect responders and the public from potential chemical exposure during future responses.

CSX

The railroad company that owns the tracks where the derailment occurred and has confirmed the cleanup of hazardous materials has ended, but plenty of work remains on the damaged property.

National Transportation Safety Board

The agency that is continuing to investigate the cause of the 31-car train derailment, with a final report expected to take months before it's released to the public.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The response went very well.”

— Ash Groves, Todd County Emergency Management Director

What’s next

The National Transportation Safety Board is continuing to investigate the cause of the train derailment, with a final report expected to take months before it's released to the public.

The takeaway

This review session allows emergency officials to learn from the Trenton train derailment incident and make critical improvements to their preparedness and response capabilities, which could prove invaluable in future disasters and save lives.