Delaware National Guard ANG Fire Department responds to FedEx explosion By Maj. Pete Klabunde,166th Civil Engineering Squadron The Delaware Air National Guard (DE ANG) Fire Department responded to a chemical incident at the FedEX Building on Commons Blvd at the request of the Fire Board on Wednesday, October 9. Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Gerald Dougherty, Base Visual Information Manager. The incident occurred at approximately 8:45 a.m. when an explosion injured several workers at the FedEX Distribution building. The Wilmington Manor Fire Department Chief on duty requested additional mutual aid through the Fire Board including ANG Station 33 at approximately 0900. Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Gerald Dougherty, Base Visual Information Manager. Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Gerald Dougherty, Base Visual Information Manager. Three firefighters -- Tech Sgt. James Knightly, Senior Airman Jason Goodsell, and Staff Sgt. Monica (Nikki) Waller -- were called on to respond with full fire response equipment. Also called were Master Sgt. Reedy, Fire Chief, Master Sgt. Lorne Peterson, Readiness NCO, and Major Pete Klabunde, the On-Scene Commander. Initially, all three firefighters suited up in full firefighting bunker gear and self contained breathing apparatuses. They were ready for backup or rescue in case the Hazardous Material (Hazmat) team from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) got into serious trouble while investigating the scene inside and around the the FedEX building. The incident turned out to be a spill of chemicals from a shipping container that fell and broke open in an explosive manner, causing irritation to the workers in the immediate area. Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Gerald Dougherty, Base Visual Information Manager. Staff Sgt. Nikki Waller was then asked to volunteer to assist with decontamination. She donned a full Hazmat Suit and respirator and manned the inside of the Decon shower trailer assisting the exposed female FedEX workers. All exposed FedEX workers were then taken to Christiana Hospital for further evaluation. This was another example of outstanding cooperation among the firefighter community and the Delaware Air National Guard.

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2002 Delaware National Guard