TX - Fertilizer plant explodes in West, Texas

[SailorMoon]

I'll tell you what this has done to me, is made realize how unprepared I am should something happen. As I sat here last night, feeling the blast and my house shake, and hearing of all the evacuations, my lil one said, what would you do with all the animals?? Good freaking point. What would I do?? Those poor people, still can't get in and you know they had to leave behind a pet or 2.

Someone posted a link a couple pages back of all the missing animals. It's pages, folks, many pages.

Been out doing real world stuff all day, kinda glad to step away for a bit. I agree with whoever said that the EMS director didn't just pull those 60-80 dead figure last night out of his wazoo. I think it's going to be about that.

It's been all over facebook that they have enough supplies and for people to donate. My sister stopped on her way to work and donated blood.

 

[mysteriew]

New cell phone video of the explosion ***caution language***http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=650_1366312090&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Maybe it is just me. But I think they can be excused for the language this time.

 

[SailorMoon]

Lights are on the fox 4 link probably because they do a 9pm news. Was trying to explain to lil one about Oklahoma anniversary tomorrow and then brought up the Branch Davidian thing. Can even explain that one, off to pull it on wikipedia. Been a busy week here with the murdered DA's arrest and all. Whew.

 

[MsFacetious]

They are back on here but not seeing a press conference.

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/category/234333/live

 

[PHB]

Hi everyone, I just got in. can someone give me an update ?
Thanks!

 

[Wise Old Owl]

Please forgive me as I admit I haven't read every page here. But I have a question. WHO (company, private owner, family deal type thing,) WHO owns this fertilizer plant? I haven't heard word one about what (if anything) the entity (owner) of this plant is doing, saying, not talking, anything...........

Who owns the plant? Anyone know?

TIA




JMHO

 

[MsFacetious]

This is probably the most recent update.

http://www.kwtx.com/


Owner of plant here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-plant-explosion-leaves-dead-100-injured.html

 

[MsFacetious]

First responder victims confirmed dead so far:

Perry Calvin
Buck Uptmor
Morris Bridges
Kenny Harris


Missing first responders:

Joey Pustejovsky

 

[SwampMama]

My heart goes out to those who are in the area of this horrible tragedy. I'm the wife of a firefighter and have been reminded twice this week how dangerous his job can be.

And I'd like to take a minute to thank all of you wonderful people on this site. i made the mistake of trying to read the comments on CNN's site and people are just vicious. I'm so thankful for this safe-haven here. You may not all agree but at least most of the time it is a respectful discussion (and if it gets testy the mods are top notch and on the ball ). :gthanks: Now I'm back on topic.

My hubby is a firefighter as well, 25+ years, like his brother and their dad. We have a few plants in our area and it is so scary how something can happen in the blink of an eye and the just explode like that, taking so many innocent lives. i think about if that had happened here, how many family and dear friends would be among the dead or missing and try to imagine how that town must be feeling.

I have seen the physical destruction of the site but that doesn't even come close to the emotional destruction in the hearts of the families of the dead and missing. All I can do is pray for them and hold my loved ones a bit closer because you just never know when something will happen.

Bless those firefighters and their families. I think of the volunteer firefighters who don't even get paid and yet they put their lives on the line for strangers. There is just something inexplicable about first responders like that who rush into the danger when all others are trying to get the heck out of it. All I can say is bless them for all they do.

ETA: Mr Swamp is currently jumping up and down on my last nerve and all I can say to him is " I love you" because i do and there are people in Tx tonight who would give anything just have their loved ones back again, under their feet and bugging them.

 

[MsFacetious]

Hey you other firefighter people might be able to answer this.

If a volunteer firefighter is killed in the line of duty, does the family get anything?
With a cop they get a pension... does a volunteer firefighter's family get anything?

That just occurred to me. These families already lost their husbands... are they left with nothing?
(Aside from life insurance obviously because they likely have that. I'm talking specifically job related.)

 

[MsFacetious]

They just said that the explosion killed at least 35 people.

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/category/234333/live

 

[WI1987]

Hey you other firefighter people might be able to answer this.

If a volunteer firefighter is killed in the line of duty, does the family get anything?
With a cop they get a pension... does a volunteer firefighter's family get anything?

That just occurred to me. These families already lost their husbands... are they left with nothing?
(Aside from life insurance obviously because they likely have that. I'm talking specifically job related.)

In New York they get a pension if they serve more than a certain amount of years (the payment increases with the number of years served). I believe but I could be wrong that there is some sort of state funded bereavement fund. I know many members of my local fire department and I can assure you that the fallen firefighters and paramedics/EMTs are never forgotten.

 

[Wise Old Owl]

This is probably the most recent update.

http://www.kwtx.com/


Owner of plant here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-plant-explosion-leaves-dead-100-injured.html

Thank you!

Now I feel bad. Seems it was a private owner and him (and his family) live there - are part of the community. I can't imagine how (or what) he must be going through. Its horrible. Certainly NOT his fault - but it was his business. Sad. He's elderly - I hope the stress of all this isn't too much for him (and his family).

Now we wait to find out what caused the fire.






JMHO

 

[MsFacetious]

In New York they get a pension if they serve more than a certain amount of years (the payment increases with the number of years served). I believe but I could be wrong that there is some sort of state funded bereavement fund. I know many members of my local fire department and I can assure you that the fallen firefighters and paramedics/EMTs are never forgotten.

I know they won't be forgotten.
I just worry about whether their families will be taken care of. :twocents:

 

[mysteriew]

Hey you other firefighter people might be able to answer this.

If a volunteer firefighter is killed in the line of duty, does the family get anything?
With a cop they get a pension... does a volunteer firefighter's family get anything?

That just occurred to me. These families already lost their husbands... are they left with nothing?
(Aside from life insurance obviously because they likely have that. I'm talking specifically job related.)

I'm not sure. They would be able to draw on Soc Sec from their regular job. If they are injured during active duty they could draw workmen's comp (usually), but I am not sure if they are killed if they can draw that or not. As far as life insurance, probably not unless it is offered through their regular job.

If they find any negligence they may be able to sue the company.

That is why if you ever see firemen "passing the boot" please donate. They are usually requesting donations for one of their own.

 

[MsFacetious]

So a volunteer firefighter has workman's comp?
I thought the volunteer aspect of it meant no benefits or insurance... that's why I'm concerned.

 

[mysteriew]

So a volunteer firefighter has workman's comp?
I thought the volunteer aspect of it meant no benefits or insurance... that's why I'm concerned.

Many depts. pay their volunteer members $1.00 a year (which is usually donated back) Thus they are "paid" and the county or township pays into workmen's comp so they can apply for it if injured at a scene. At least that is how it works in my area.

At least that was how it was handled in my dept when I ran squad years ago. Not sure how it is handled elsewhere.

No life insurance, no health insurance or any other benefits.

 

[longtallcold]

If they can raise 7 million (or whatever it is now) for the boston victims, this country can raise $$$ for the families here too!

 

[MsFacetious]

If they can raise 7 million (or whatever it is now) for the boston victims, this country can raise $$$ for the families here too!

I know I said last night that hopefully they would started a fund for them and it would grow just as fast.

 

[longtallcold]

If anyone finds a legit fund - please post it here!