Article over Explosion in West, Texas

[Hope Schufeldt]

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/25305906/year-after-texas-plant-blast...

 

The explosion in West, Texas continues to resonate throughout the state even after a year of restoration. Researchers claim that this explosion could have been prevented if the correct elements of caution would have been properly in place. Although zoning usually comes with a bad reputation; zoning in regard to how close a city can be located to a factory could save lives. Giving up land and homes that were re-built close to the factory line will be difficult, but the safety of the people must be considered if this factory should ever be brought back to operating condition. Many argue that those in charge of the factory are to blame since there were no sprinkler systems installed. However, those in the public safety system are also to blame since the fire fighters were not properly trained to handle such a situation. Thus, with knowledge of how certain chemicals should be kept, what emergency tactics should be implemented, what building boundaries should be outlawed, and what training must be enforced, future disasters such as this should be prevented if people agree to recognize each of the previous faults and work for a safer setting in the future.

            I chose this article because I helped with a DNow wit students that were from West, Texas. After going to West and seeing how much damage had been done, how much restoration had occurred, and hearing the stories of how much pain they had to endure, I was personally touched, and now I want to do something to help those families and those who could be endangered by future threats.

            Since God commands us to love and help those in need, we need to follow this calling and help those who suffer from accidents like the one in West. There are people everywhere who are suffering and we should reach out to those around us and help them whether we are rebuilding houses, volunteering at a shelter, listening to stories or caring for them is some other manner.