TX - Fertilizer plant explodes in West, Texas

[mysteriew]

http://www.firehouse.com/news/10924113/families-wait-but-know-last-alarms-answered-in-west-texas

"Among the missing and presumed dead are five volunteer firefighters, four EMS personnel and a Dallas Fire-Rescue captain."

So heartbreaking. There are just no words. This could happen here, in the middle of the night, and I would stumble out of bed and accompany Mr. Swamp to a call such as this because we are both first responders.. No doubt my BIL and SIL (also first responders) would be there as well, and so many dear people that we work with such as the EMTs. )

And then to think that all of those people would just be gone in a second is heartbreaking.

The thing is that first responders (firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, police ) know each other, they get to know the faces they usually see on scenes who are from different departments and they will be the first to volunteer if they happen upon a scene. You keep seeing the same faces, you get to know people, faces, names. You meet in many classes that first responders take. You get to know each other. You might not even know them that well some but have that connection. You feel stronger knowing that there are so many like-minded people, all there to help when people need it the most, whatever that may entail.

They are an amazing, diverse group of people, each with different strengths and talents, which is great because never know what you will be dealing with. They are people who can get stuff done, who deal with unimaginable situations with patience and humor.

I think of all the times I have heard the pager go off, raced Mr. Swamp to see who can get dressed first, run to the truck, go flying down the driveway, get to the firehouse, hop in the firetruck and race to the scene, often not even really know quite what we are responding to, whether it will turn out to be nothing much (as it usually is, thank God) or something more.

But My God, this is unimaginable. I can imagine the scene with them showing up, greeting each other, seeing who is there, assessing the scene, and jumping right in the mix…….. And then in one second, one huge flash, they are no more.

I grieve for their families. I lost a fiancé who was a firefighter although he did not die on duty. He died suddenly and unexpectedly and my whole world crumbled in an instant. I know there are spouses, children, parents, siblings and friends who are going through what I went through and it breaks my heart. Honestly,and I have told Mr. Swamp so, though he says I am silly to say such things), when he goes, I hope I am with him. I never want to go thru that pain again, dealing with such loss and grief. My heart just hurts thinking of those families tonight, those wives and children and loved ones.

I'm home tonight with Mr Swamp and he loves to naggravate (nag + aggravate) me. He was doing it tonight, fussing over stupid stuff (slightly stale tacos and no tomatoes). All I could do was smile and say "I love you" and hug him. There isn't much he could have done that would have made me mad because i know how blessed i am to have him still here on this earth naggravating me.

Beautiful post

 

[mysteriew]

Good morning from the Waco area. Weather was nice yesterday afternoon, so I'm glad the SAR and survivors who lost homes, etc. didn't have to deal with rain and wind all day yesterday.

Mr DD is at his station today, so he'll get a full update on the status of the Waco FD guys that live in West, and hear how their homes are, etc.

I'll try to ask him what he knows about volunteer FD benefits.

Personally, I am surprised they haven't had more forthcoming info on the fatality count, so far. I guess the Mayor is the best source so far, with his estimate at about 35?

Love this community and how they've responded.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ETA:

Mr DD called from the fire station - all their guys and immediate families are okay. Very lucky. One said his grandmother lost her home, but there are several family members living in West, that will take her in.

WOW - is Mr DD ANGRY. His crew is just learning what happened in their agency that night, and what they were dispatched to do, and what they weren't allowed to do, and some of the behind the scenes info. I can't say more, but the actual fire fighters are not happy with their Chief. Let's just say the fire fighters wanted to do more, and weren't allowed to go do some of what they felt was necessary. They would have been the largest/best equipped agency to do certain things, but no.....

The anger.... yes that is always part of the fallout of any disaster.

At this point, not knowing any more than we do about the timeline of events that night, not being on the ground, not knowing what they saw and when.....
I can't help but feel a sense of inevitability. If they went, yes maybe they could have prevented. But there is also the possibility that if they had gone, it still would have happened and he could have been injured too.

Please thank Mr DD for his service to his community and his willingness to put his life on the line in service to others. It is people like him that prevents this world from total chaos and indifference.

One thing he should remember is that those men were like him. With their willingness and their passion and their strength as well as their knowledge of the risks. They were a loss not only to their families and their communities but also to our world. When we lose people like them, we all lose.

It is hard to accept that you are willing to help, but were unable to and so lives were lost. And we can look back now and say "if only". But we don't know what saw, what they thought or what the reasoning was that prevented them from being sent. We don't know if his going would have prevented the tragedy or become part of it. All we really know if that he didn't go. He will be around to fight the next fire, save then next person. Personally I am thankful for that.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

The anger.... yes that is always part of the fallout of any disaster.

At this point, not knowing any more than we do about the timeline of events that night, not being on the ground, not knowing what they saw and when.....
I can't help but feel a sense of inevitability. If they went, yes maybe they could have prevented. But there is also the possibility that if they had gone, it still would have happened and he could have been injured too.

Please thank Mr DD for his service to his community and his willingness to put his life on the line in service to others. It is people like him that prevents this world from total chaos and indifference.

One thing he should remember is that those men were like him. With their willingness and their passion and their strength as well as their knowledge of the risks. They were a loss not only to their families and their communities but also to our world. When we lose people like them, we all lose.

It is hard to accept that you are willing to help, but were unable to and so lives were lost. And we can look back now and say "if only". But we don't know what saw, what they thought or what the reasoning was that prevented them from being sent. We don't know if his going would have prevented the tragedy or become part of it. All we really know if that he didn't go. He will be around to fight the next fire, save then next person. Personally I am thankful for that.

You have such a way with words...thank you

Yes, I know the anger those guys are feeling are borne out of frustration. And you're right, we're lucky there are so many people that care.

 

[mysteriew]

Rescuers have ended their search for survivors following the devastating fertilizer explosion in West this week that killed at least 14 people and injured 200.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced Friday afternoon that the search and rescue operation has ended now that responders have found 14 bodies. At least 11 emergency responders are presumed dead after the massive explosion and blaze at the West Fertilizer Co. facility near Waco.
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/west...ympathies-vows-to-work-with-investigators.ece

 

[AlwaysShocked]

From the Dallas newspaper linked above:

"Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced Friday afternoon that the search and rescue operation has ended now that responders have found 14 bodies. At least 11 emergency responders are presumed dead after the massive explosion and blaze at the West Fertilizer Co. facility near Waco.

Sen. John Cornyn said earlier Friday that 60 people remain unaccounted for, but officials have now downplayed that number. Officials said this afternoon that people were put on a list of those missing if friends and family couldn’t reach them. Most of them are probably alive and staying with friends and family, officials said."


I've been following this story. Does anyone but me find it to be absolutely strange how the "officials" of the town of West have been dealing with not wanting to say how many people were killed?

And now a U.S. Senator says that 60 people remain unaccounted for and the "officials" say they are "probably" alive and staying with friends.

What's up with this?

Oh, and also, the mayor who said he thought there would be 35 dead, has now been replaced as spokesperson so he can "get some rest".

 

[JeannaT]

I don't find it strange at all, actually. There are 60 missing, this is a teeny little town where everyone knows everyone else, and they are in shock and grieving.

These are human beings who are grieving. And it's likely that SOME of the missing ARE in fact alive, and in shock, and don't realize they're on the rolls of the missing. The town is in chaos.

I'm sorry, AlwaysShocked, I find your post very offensive.

 

[MsFacetious]

Morris Bridges, 41

When the call came on Wednesday evening about a blaze at the local fertilizer plant, volunteer firefighter Morris Bridges picked up his 2-year-old son, Jaimeson, said "Daddy loves you," and kissed him goodbye.

Bridges, 41, a father of three, has not been seen since.

http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/...s-to-son-before-deadly-blast-was-last-goodbye

 

[MsFacetious]

Perry Calvin, 37

Perry Calvin leaves behind two young sons, 5 and 9, and a wife who found out a few weeks ago that she is due around Thanksgiving.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-t...ng-the-call-cost-them-their-lives-4446869.php

 

[MsFacetious]

Joey Pustejovsky, 29

Pustejovsky was the city secretary and also volunteered as a firefighter.

Pustejovsky brought one son into the marriage, and Kelly brought one son and two daughters, Sebesta said.

"The best thing about Joey was he took my sister's kids and took them as his own," Sebesta said. "They call him 'Daddy.' "

http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/04/19/4788605/first-responders-to-west-fire.html#storylink=cpy

 

[MsFacetious]

Kenny Harris, 52

The chaplain and other firefighters from Dallas Fire-Rescue were in West on Thursday to support relatives of Harris, a 52-year-old married father of three grown sons, according to the department.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-t...ng-the-call-cost-them-their-lives-4446869.php

 

[MsFacetious]

Buck Uptmor, 45

Uptmor, who was not a volunteer firefighter, was trying to round-up horses near the fertilizer plant and get them away from the fire.

"He got there just when it just started," said Bill McKown, a former superintendent with the Abbott school district.

Uptmor was married and had four children, said James Miller, a volunteer firefighter.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/04/19/4788605/first-responders-to-west-fire.html#storylink=cpy

 

[MsFacetious]

Jerry Chapman, 26

Chapman was a volunteer firefighter in Abbott and was in West taking an emergency medical technician class when the fire broke out.

His friends at the Black-Eyed Pea restaurant in nearby Hillsboro, where he worked as a server, weren't surprised to hear he ran to the fire.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/04/19/4788605/first-responders-to-west-fire.html#storylink=cpy

 

[MsFacetious]

Cyrus A Reed, 29

Reed was a captain with the Abbott Volunteer Fire Department and he also volunteered with West EMS, said dispatchers he used to work with at Hill County Sheriff's Office in Hillsboro.

"I've known him since 2007, and he was a firefighter when I met him," said Haley Watkins. "He loved firefighting with a passion."

http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/04/19/4788605/first-responders-to-west-fire.html#storylink=cpy

 

[MsFacetious]

Robert Snokhous, 47 and Doug Snokhous, 50

The two brothers were volunteer firefighters in West and had responded when the call on the fire came in.

Marqee Snokhous, the daughter of Robert Snokhous, said her father and uncle had been volunteering with the fire department since she was a young girl.

"They love doing this," said Snokhous, 23. "They love to go and help somebody. They were always one of the first ones there... It's something they put their heart into."

http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/04/19/4788605/first-responders-to-west-fire.html#storylink=cpy

 

[MsFacetious]

Cody Dragoo, 50

Dragoo served the fire department for about 15 years after moving to West from Montana. He married, Patty Mynar, who is Miller's wife's sister.

He also worked at the West Fertilizer Co., where he lost his life fighting Wednesday's fire.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/04/19/4788605/first-responders-to-west-fire.html#storylink=cpy

 

[MsFacetious]

Jimmy Matus

Jimmy Matus, 52, died in the Wednesday night explosion of the West Fertilizer Co. plant. He is owner of Westex Welding, 210 Cottonwood Road in West.

http://www.wacotrib.com/news/greate...cle_a3444ccf-3c40-5c7e-8981-0901abe551d2.html

 

[tiredblondy]

Soooo heartbreaking! May God give these families strength.

 

[Softail]

14 confirmed dead, around 60 still missing in West

Four names released; all were firefighters

Updated: Friday, 19 Apr 2013, 7:02 PM CDT
Published : Friday, 19 Apr 2013, 8:07 AM CDT

WEST, Texas (AP/KXAN) — At least 14 people died in the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas, the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed Friday. Around 60 are unaccounted for.

Gov. Rick Perry, who toured the blast area by helicopter, told reporters that the images were devasting.

"It's pretty stunning (from) up above," Perry said.

Earlier in the day, Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Jason Reyes put the initial death count at 12. Two more were added late in the afternoon..

The names of only four of the dead have been released: Dallas Fire and Rescue Capt. Kenny Harris; Calvin Perry of the Navarro Mills Fire Department; Cyrus Reed; and Jerry Chapman. Reed and Chapman are Abbott firefighters


http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/texas/search-of-blast-zone-continues-in-west

 

[wfgodot]

60 unaccounted for. Scary.

 

[Softail]

Texas fertilizer company didn't heed disclosure rules before blast
Joshua Schneyer, Ryan McNeill and Janet RobertsReuters
8:36 a.m. CDT, April 20, 2013


NEW YORK (Reuters) - The fertilizer plant that exploded on Wednesday, obliterating part of a small Texas town and killing at least 14 people, had last year been storing 1,350 times the amount of ammonium nitrate that would normally trigger safety oversight by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Yet a person familiar with DHS operations said the company that owns the plant, West Fertilizer, did not tell the agency about the potentially explosive fertilizer as it is required to do, leaving one of the principal regulators of ammonium nitrate - which can also be used in bomb making - unaware of any danger there.

Investigators stand amid the aftermath of a massive explosion at a fertilizer plant in the town of West, near Waco, TexasInvestigators stand amid the aftermath of a massive explosion at a fertilizer plant in the town of West, near Waco, Texas

Fertilizer plants and depots must report to the DHS when they hold 400 lb (180 kg) or more of the substance. Filings this year with the Texas Department of State Health Services, which weren't shared with DHS, show the plant had 270 tons of it on hand last year.

A U.S. congressman and several safety experts called into question on Friday whether incomplete disclosure or regulatory gridlock may have contributed to the disaster.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...-regulationbre93j09n-20130420,0,2987009.story