By LeRoy W. Maes

Crisis Decision Making Models Application: West Fertilizer Facility

An Anhydrous Ammonia explosion at the West Fertilizer Plant, located in West, Texas near Waco occurred killing at least fifteen people and injuring hundreds in a forty square block area.  Among the dead were eleven firefighters.  The shock wave could be felt as far away as 100 miles.  Fire Rescue immediately responded to the scene, but was faced with several extenuating factors to consider before being able to get handle on fire and subsequent explosions.