In light of the events in West, Texas, the Yale-Tulane ESF #8 Planning and Response Program has produced a special report on West Texas Fertilizer Plant Explosion. The Yale-Tulane ESF #8 Program is a multi-disciplinary, multi-center, graduate-level, program designed to produce ESF #8 planners and responders with standardized skill sets that are consistent with evolving public policy, technologies, and best practices. The group that produced this summary and analysis of the current situation are graduate students from Yale and Tulane Universities. It was compiled entirely from open source materials.
SITUATION YALE- TULANE ESF-8 SPECIAL REPORT WEST TX FURTILIZER PLANT EXPLOSION SITUATION MAP RESPONSE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ATF FEMA TWITTE R | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | BLOG HHS PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY – ASPR TWITTER | FACEBOOK CDC TWITTER | FACEBOOK ORGANIZATION AMERICAN RED CROSS US CHEMICAL SAFETY BOARD TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AS OF 19 APRIL 2013, 2015 HRS INJURED DEAD 228 14 HOSPITALIZATION AND TREATMENT Reports state that nearly every home in a half-mile radius from the retail facility suffered significant damage PRECAUTION GUIDANCE FOR WEST DISASTER RECOVERY STRESS DONATIONS TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Twitter TEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE OF GOVERNOR RICK PERRY – DISASTER CENTER TEXAS VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTER VOAD) NATIONAL DONATIONS MANAGEMENT NETWORK VOLUNTEER TEXAS AMERICAN RED CROSS SAFE AND WELL ADDITIONAL LINKS FOR WEST VICTIMS HEALTH AND MEDICAL
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SITUATION
YALE- TULANE ESF-8 SPECIAL REPORT WEST TX FURTILIZER PLANT EXPLOSION
SITUATION MAP
RESPONSE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
ATF
FEMATWITTER | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | BLOG
HHSPUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY – ASPRTWITTER | FACEBOOK
CDCTWITTER | FACEBOOK
ORGANIZATIONAMERICAN RED CROSSUS CHEMICAL SAFETY BOARD
TEXAS
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING
AS OF 19 APRIL 2013, 2015 HRS
INJURED DEAD228 14
HOSPITALIZATION AND TREATMENT
Reports state that nearly every home in a half-mile radius from the retail facility suffered significant damage
PRECAUTION GUIDANCE FOR WEST DISASTER RECOVERY
STRESS
DONATIONS
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Twitter
TEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
OFFICE OF GOVERNOR RICK PERRY – DISASTER CENTER
TEXAS VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTER (VOAD)
WHERE: West Fertilizer Company storage and distribution facility in West, McLennan County, Texas
WHEN 7:50 p.m. CDT (00:50 UTC, April 18)
SITUATION: MAJOR EXPLOSION• A major explosion at the West Fertilizer Company storage and distribution
facility
• The fire at the plant is contained; however, significant damage was reported to structures within several blocks of the plant, including a middle school, nursing home, numerous residences, and businesses
‐ 50 building have been destroyed‐ 50 buildings significantly damaged,‐ 100 slightly damaged‐ An Apartment complex destroyed
• Due to health and safety concerns, evacuation of a significant portion of the community was conducted
• An inner and outer perimeter has been established around the site of the incident.
• An Incident Command Post (ICP) and staging area, triage area were established
• 175 building have been searched and cleared.
• The fertilizer facility had at least 540,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate, Texas Health Department records show. Anhydrous ammonia, and urea were also on site. State environmental authorities are monitoring air quality near the incident site. No immediate health concerns have been noted. FEMA DAILY BRIEF 18 APRIL 2013
FEMA DAILY BRIEF 19 APRIL 2013 DALLAS MORNING NEWS
• The U.S. Geological Survey registered the blast as a 2.1-magnitude seismic event
• At least three rescue trucks and one fire truck were also destroyed
INJURED: The explosion also left more than 200 injured.Most of the injured victims were treated and then released, but some remain hospitalized on Friday, 19 April 2013
DEAD: 14, Among the dead were 5 West Firefighters, 4 EMS Medics, 1 Off Duty Fire Captain from Dallas (who was in town at the time and was assisting) and 1 unconfirmed (unknown agency at this point) Firefighter have been killed in the Line of Duty
INVESTIGATION: On going • Waco Police indicated that the explosion site would be treated as a
crime scene out of caution. • National Response Team of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives, along with ATF special agents from the Houston Field Division, has been activated to join the investigation of the West Fertilizer Plant fire.
ELECTRIC: Oncor electric facilities were impacted by the explosion. Some customers are unable to receive power because structural damage has made power restoration hazardous in some locations
There will be no gas or electric service for the blast area until SAR and initial recovery action is completed.
WATER:
• Damage to the Public Water System main delivery line was identified, which resulted in low water pressure of a section of the delivery system.
• A BOIL WATER NOTICE IS IN PLACE. • Cottonwood Water Supply provided water to the fertilizer
plant and received damage close to the impacted area. Cottonwood Water Supply isolated the damaged area and has restored adequate pressure To the rest of the system. Hilltop WSC is also in the area, but sustained no damage.
FEMA DAILY BRIEF 18 APRIL 2013FEMA DAILY BRIEF 19 APRIL 2013 DALLAS MORNING NEWS
Firefighters conduct search and rescue of an apartment destroyed by an explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas, Thursday, April 18, 2013. (AP Photo/LM Otero.)
• Local fire and EMS responded to the fire at the West Fertilizer Company in West, TX.
• Mutual aid agencies from surrounding jurisdictions responded quickly
• Waco Police indicated that the explosion site would be treated as a crime scene out of caution.
• The City of West has declared a state of disaster. Area Command at the McLennan County EOC was activated at 1900hrs on 04/17/2013 with a mobile incident command post (ICP) on scene. Staging and triage areas were originally established at the City of West, High School but were relocated due to the proximity of the evacuation zone and potential additional safety concerns from the plant.
• Governor Perry declared McLennan County a disaster area and on April 18, an emergency declaration was “forthcoming” from President Obama.
• Texas Department of Public Safety is responding to West, along with the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the Department of State Health Services, and the Texas Department of Transportation. Mobile medical units have also been sent to the scene,
• The Texas National Guard sent members of the 6th Civil Support Team to the area to test the air quality and assess chemical and biological hazards
• State Fire Marshal Office part of the investigation team
• Search and Rescue Texas Task Force 1 &2 was deployed on the morning of April 18 to assist in search and rescue which came to a close on 19 February 2013.
• An Incident Management Team from the Texas A&M Forest Service was also deployed.
• Veterinary Emergency Team from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Science
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) providing air monitoring and technical assistance
• Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System have deployed North Texas fire departments to West to provide assistance
RESPONSE
FEDERAL
• The National Response Team (NRT) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with ATF special agents from the Houston Field Division were activated Wednesday to join the investigation of the West Fertilizer Plant fire and explosion in West, Texas.
• The national response team including fire investigators, explosive experts, chemists, and canine units to investigate the site.
• The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, an independent federal agency that investigates accidents involving industrial chemicals, also dispatched a major investigation team to West to begin searching for the cause of the disaster.
• The EPA deployed a team to monitor air quality in the vicinity of the explosion and fire.
• Region VI RRCC transitioned to Level III
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sent compliance officers, and "is working jointly with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Chemical Safety Board to try to determine the cause of the explosion, if any violations of health and safety standards occurred, and lessons learned
• HHS DMORT assessment team was deployed.
SOURCE: ATF News Release 18 APRIL 2013 CSB News Release, 18 APRIL 2013
• TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (TCEQ):
• TCEQ first arrived on-site at 9:37 p.m., Wednesday evening. The TCEQ Mobile Command Post arrived at 4:00 a.m., Thursday morning and is located a ½ mile from the blast site in West. It was up and running at 5:00 a.m
• 12 Area RAE monitors have been set up around perimeter to monitor the air at distances ranging from a half-mile to a quarter-mile.
• On 18 April, at first light an entry team of TCEQ Emergency Response Contractors, 6th Civil Support Team, and EPA Contractors began to characterize the site to determine current facility emissions within the exclusion zone. TCEQ is actively monitoring air quality to assess any immediate health effects or threats.
• TCEQ continues to monitor air quality around the perimeter of the West Fertilizer Plant.
• At this time no ammonia is being detected in the air outside the plant footprint. A TCEQ contractor secured a leak which had developed in one of the 12,000 gallon anhydrous ammonia tanks so that recovery efforts could continue.
• Ammonium nitrate pellets on the ground are being covered with a tarp to prevent vaporization and the formation of any additional ammonia vapors. Air monitoring is being conducted to verify the effectiveness of these measures.
• TCEQ is coordinating its efforts with the ATF and the State Fire Marshall
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES (DSHS):• The DSHS State Medical Operations Center (SMOC) has been
activated. DSHS has deployed a Texas Funeral Director Association (TFDA) Strike Team with two Mortuary Trailers.
• One portable morgue unit was staged in Waco, and is expected to be deactivated.
• Two Medical Incident Support Team (MIST) team members and a Rapid Assessment Team (RAT) have also been activated.
• DSHS reports that there is one long term care facility that has closed in the impact zone, the residents have been transferred to other local assisted living facilities.
‐ A nursing home, West Rest Haven, was in the blast’s radius and was severely damaged and had to be evacuated. All 133 residents were safely evacuated
• Disaster Behavior Health Services deployed one staff member from Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
Elderly residents of a heavily damaged nursing home received attention at a triage site after the explosion. (Michael Ainsworth/Staff Photographer)
SOUTHWEST TEXAS REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (STRAC): is supporting MIST personnel with patient tracking, using Texas Emergency Tracking Network (TxETN) resources. STRAC is also working to support WebEOC operations, and to provide support with STAR requests.
HEART OF TEXAS REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (HOTRAC):is working to input patient location and information into the ENT board, and working with MIST personnel for patient tracking. In addition, HOTRAC is monitoring the status of hospital bed occupancy in the region
A victim from the West fertilizer plant explosion is wheeled into Hillcrest Baptist Medical Hospital in Waco, Texas on April 17, 2013. (Jerry Larson/Waco Tribune Herald/AP Photo)
Areas Hospitals: Multiple area hospitals provided emergency medical care to injured residents.
PROPANE• If a home propane tank is damaged and leaking, call 9-1-1 and the
propane service provider.
• Do not transport leaking propane tanks in a car or dispose of them in the trash.
PRECAUTION GUIDANCE FOR WEST DISASTER RECOVERYThe Texas Department of State Health Services offers guidance to people who may be returning home to begin the recovery process following the West explosion disaster. State and local health officials urge extreme caution to people cleaning up debris and inspecting damage caused by the explosion.
TETANUS SHOTS AND MASKSTetanus shots and N-95 masks will be made available by the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District. For information, people can call the local family assistance center at (254) 826-4113
DAMAGED STRUCTURES AND DEBRIS• Use extreme caution when entering damaged structures. Wear sturdy
shoes or boots, long sleeves and gloves when cleaning up.
• If your home is damaged, be sure the electricity and gas are shut off before entering. Get a tetanus shot if you have not had a booster in 10 years or can’t remember when your last shot was, and be careful.
• Broken glass, exposed wires, nails, wood, metal, plastic and other debris can cause puncture wounds, cuts and burns.
• Using chain saws and power tools improperly can cause severe injuries.
ASH• Adults should use a protective respirator mask (N-95 or P-100) while
cleaning up areas in which ash particles cannot be controlled. • Ash and dust from burned buildings may contain toxic and cancer
causing chemicals including asbestos, arsenic and lead.
• Children should not be in the area while cleanup is in progress.
ELECTRICITY Avoid downed or damaged electrical lines. Electrical repairs should be done by a qualified technician.
WATERCheck with the water provider to be sure that water is safe to drink because water pressure may have been lost. Water from a damaged water system or well may require disinfection by boiling for one minute or stirring in 1/8 teaspoon of unscented bleach per gallon and letting it sit for 30 minutes.
CARBON MONOXIDE Place generators, power washers and other fuel burning devices at least 20 feet away from the house and away from open doors and windows to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
NATURAL GASDo not enter an area or building where you smell gas. Do not turn on the lights or light a match. Leave the area immediately, then call 9-1-1.
FOOD • Discard food that may have spoiled, thawed or come into contact
with hazardous materials like fire retardant or ash.• Loss of power to refrigeration and freezer units can cause food to
spoil.• If you’re not certain food is safe, throw it out.
• Physical or emotional tension are often signs of stress. They can be reactions to a situation that causes you to feel threatened or anxious. Stress can be positive (such as planning your wedding) or negative (such as dealing with the effects of a natural disaster).
• Disbelief and shock• Tension and irritability• Fear and anxiety about the future• Difficulty making decisions• Being numb to one’s feelings• Loss of interest in normal activities• Loss of appetite• Nightmares and recurring thoughts about the event• Anger• Increased use of alcohol and drugs• Sadness and other symptoms of depression• Feeling powerless• Crying• Sleep problems• Headaches, back pains, and stomach problems• Trouble concentrating
THE BEST WAYS TO MANAGE STRESS IN HARD TIMES
• Take breaks from cleanup efforts and don’t overdo it.
• Avoid drugs and alcohol. They may seem to be a temporary fix to feel better, but in the long run they can create more problems and add to your stress—instead of take it away.
• Find support. Seek help from a partner, family member, friend, counselor, doctor, or clergyperson. Having a sympathetic, listening ear and sharing about your problems and stress really can lighten the burden. Keep a journal.
• Connect socially. After a stressful event, it is easy isolate yourself. Make sure that you are spending time with loved ones. Consider planning fun activities with your partner, children, or friends.
• Take care of yourself. ‒ Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet‒ Exercise regularly‒ Get plenty of sleep‒ Give yourself a break if you feel stressed out—for example, treat
yourself to a therapeutic massage‒ Maintain a normal routine
• Stay active. You can take your mind off your problems by giving— helping a neighbor, volunteering in the community, even taking the dog on a long walk. These can be positive ways to channel your feelings.
Stress is a condition that is often characterized by symptoms of physical or emotional tension. It is a reaction to a situation where a person feels threatened or anxious. Stress can be positive (e.g., preparing for a wedding) or negative (e.g., dealing with a natural disaster).
SYMPTOMS OF STRESS
For behavioral health assistance or additional information, dial 2-1-1.
DONATIONS
The outpouring of support for residents affected by the fertilizer plant explosion in West has been nothing short of amazing. Donated goods have been pouring in from all over.
But the Central Texas Red Cross chapter has said that the city of West has received so much stuff that it is asking that further donations be put on hold for now.
Still, there are ways you can help.• The American Red Cross and
The Salvation Army DFW Metroplex Command are both collecting monetary donations.
• The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has established a fund for monetary donations for the survivors and coworkers of the fire and EMS personnel who died in the line of duty. Mail checks to NFFF c/o West, Texas Fire and EMS Fallen Hero Fund, P.O. Drawer 498, Emmitsburg, Maryland, 21727. They also will facilitate messages to donate apparatus, equipment and turn-out gear. Send a message through firehero.org/contact.
• A victims’ fund has been set up at Pointwest Bank. Checks can be mailed to the bank at 200 W. Oak, West, 76691 or P.O. Box 279, West, 76691. Call 254-826-5333
• Brazos Valley Media Giving Back is accepting donations at Bank and Trust locations. Make the check to “BV Media Giving Back” with “West plant explosion” in the memo line.
• Mail to or drop off at 2900 S. Texas Ave., Bryan; 3400 Highway 21 East, Bryan; 4450 State Highway 6 South, College Station; or 2305 Texas Ave. South, College Station.
• Texas Rangers and Carter BloodCare will hold a Blood Drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday in the Hall of Fame, located on the concourse behind the Lower Home Run Porch.
• You can also donate blood through the American Red Cross or schedule an appointment to donate at Carter Blood Care. In Waco, the Scott & White Blood and Donation Center is taking blood donations.
