[ARRL-OK] HAMS RESPOND: Explosions Cause Evacuations Near Downtown

[Mark D. Conklin N7XYO]

MARK CONKLIN N7XYO
ARRL - PIC

Tulsa, OK

Mark Duensing KD5DLL & Joe Iverson KD5KKZ, Volunteer Hams went into action
at the Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency's (TAEMA) EOC and were there
to provide a means of non-emergency communication and to provide back
communication if needed. "EOC was on the air rather quickly" Joe said.
"Here in Tornado alley we have lots of practice operating out of the TAEMA's
EOC."

Craig Rozel KC5TFI who lives near the area of the fire responded to the
TAEMA Mobile Command Post which the TAEMA has equipped with amateur radio
for such emergencies.  Craig said " we heard the first blast and could see
the fire over the house."  "I sent my family to safety and check in with the
EOC on the HT, and since I lived near the scene, they requested that I
respond. "

Amateurs we on the air and passing traffic with in a few minutes of the
emergency.

As of this eveing, this may be a long event, and volunteers are being
recruited for other shifts to man the radios.

BACKGROUND INFO

FROM KTUL TV

Explosions Cause Evacuations Near Downtown
Tulsa, OK - An explosion at a gas distributor near Downtown Tulsa Monday
afternoon caused the evacuations of residents near 1st and North Peoria.

The explosion happened at about 4:30 p.m. at Airgas Mid South, located at 31
North Peoria.

Multiple explosions rocked the area and the hazardous materials team was
called to the scene. It's not known exactly what caused the explosion at
this time, but an evacuation order was issued for an area one half mile in
all directions.

For those who have been evacuated from the area, we're told there are air
conditioned buses available at Admiral and Utica. The Airgas employee
hotline number is 520-3360.

Interstate 244 was also closed down in both directions.

Airgas spokesman James Ely reports that all 75 employees at Tulsa's Airgas
facility have been accounted for.

The explosion and resulting fire have apparently also started secondary
fires to some homes in the area.

Airgas Mid South is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial, medical and
specialty gases. Products include welding shielding and cutting gases,
refrigerant gases, welding equipment and tube trailer hydrogen and helium.

This isn't the first explosion at an Airgas facility. Just last month, a
similar series of explosions rocked a Sacramento Airgas industrial plant. At
the height of that fire, propane tanks were blown more than a quarter mile
away from the facility. The damage estimates from that blaze topped two
million dollars.