Emergency Response Activated at Pantex for Unexpected Event at the Plant

myhighplains.com ^ | 23 OCT 18 | By: Karl Wehmhoener

[DCBryan1]

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) - UPDATE -

Carson County Sheriff Department is reporting that FM 2373 is closed from I-40 north.

Officials are also reporting the east side of the Pantex Plant is completely inaccessible.

[DCBryan1]

ORIGINAL -

The Pantex Plant has activated its Emergency Response Organization to respond to an unexpected event at the plant. At this time, there appears to be no offsite impact and no need for the public to take any action.

The Pantex onsite response effort is being conducted by the Emergency Response Organization, a highly-trained group of employees with detailed knowledge of plant operations and emergency response procedures. These employees represent plant functions such as security, logistics, safety, medical response, radiological assessment, firefighting, operations and public information.

In addition, local Emergency Management agencies in Armstrong County, Carson County, Amarillo/Potter/Randall Office of Emergency Management, and DPS have been notified of the event and are taking appropriate actions.

We will have more information as it becomes available.

[gaijin]

"The Pantex Plant, located northeast of Amarillo, Texas, is the nation's primary facility for the final assembly, dismantlement and maintenance of nuclear weapons. Pantex is one of six production facilities in the National Nuclear Security Administration's Nuclear Security Enterprise."

[DCBryan1]

Any sighting of DOE/NEST helos or NNSA/OST?

Probably just a rabbit stuck in the wire next to the WSA.

[D_Idaho]

A drill?

[cuban leaf]

The good news is that I have all the pantexes I need right now.

If this had been the local Bourbon plant, I’d be more likely to shed a tear.

[SpinnerWebb]

All clear already issued.

Wonder what that was about.

[gaijin]

NUKES

[Texas Fossil]

Very sorry to hear that. My father-in-law spent 40 years there. I took him for his last visit to the plant in October of 2009. He died in late December of 2009.

There have been other incidents before, some with fatalities. (very rare)

[willgolfforfood]

Been there. Lots of guards with SERIOUS weapons. One very long, isolated road in and out. I was always glad to leave.

[Chainmail]

Stay upwind.

[Catmom]

I’m too old to need Pantexes any more.

[Texas Fossil]

Doubt it had anything to do with radiation.

Last accident related to shaped charges (non-nuclear).

[DannyTN]

Don’t get your pantexes in a knot.

At least until we know what’s wrong.

[Chainmail]

Glad to hear that - but always assume the worst when you’re dealing with fissile materials.

[cuban leaf]

I’m too old to need Pantexes any more.

---

I’m too old to NOT need them, but not so old that I don’t need them any more. :)

[G Larry]

Nuclear Weapons Specialist Tech School, Lowry AFB, CO 1971.

Don't like 'Pantex and 'Emergency' in any headline....

[toast]

Looks like a nice model for the border wall.

[ASA Vet]

Stay upwind, upstream, and uphill.

[JME_FAN]

“Wonder what that was about.”

I don’t know - but it was beginning to look like few FReepers were about to get their Pantexes all tied in knots.

[ExSoldier]

Well I see HONDO HARRLESON and the S.W.A.T. guys have arrived to save the day!