Vance, Amanda. "Interview with Amanda Vance." Personal Correspondence. 11 Jan. 2019.
Why was Texas City growing at such a rapid rate during the early 1940’s?
"The growth of Texas City during the 40’s was attributed to the importance of the City’s port and industrial complex to the Allied war effort during World War II. Chemical and petroleum refining companies like Carbide & Carbon Chemical, Pan American Refining, and Monsanto all had plants located in Texas City. The Kellogg Company built a pipe bending factory that supplied naval vessels throughout the war, and there was even a tin smelting factory."
Did the Texas City Disaster have a major impact on any regulations, or were any laws or bills passed in response to the disaster?
"The 1947 Disaster had a major impact on how hazardous materials are handled- it is still used as a case study for industrial safety courses today. The Disaster triggered the very first class action lawsuit against the United States, and when the plaintiffs lost the lawsuit, Congress passed legislation to compensate the victims."
Has there been any change to the way that help is given to those in an emergency?
"Although many different groups rushed to provide aid and assistance, it was all disorganized. Today there are City, State, and National agencies that take control during emergency situations and follow established protocols. For example they set up headquarters from which to manage the emergency and implement a command structure, so that everyone involved in the rescue/recovery efforts knows what they are doing and where they need to be. For example the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has the Texas Emergency Management Assistance Team (TEMAT) which they send around the state to support cities and districts during large scale emergencies."
Seventy one years after the tragic event, can the impact of it still be felt in Texas City?
"Although Texas City has certainly recovered and grown since the Disaster, it is still the most defining moment of the City’s history. The City represents itself as a phoenix rising from the ashes. The Museum hosts the survivors for a reunion photo every year, and the City holds an annual memorial as well. Frequently we have museum visitors that have a personal connection to the Disaster; they usually share their stories with us. Also the City does a test of the City wide alarm system every Wednesday at noon."
Are there any interesting facts you know about the Texas City Disaster that are not commonly known?
"I had read or heard somewhere (but now can’t find the citation) that there wasn’t enough blood available for treating the victims during the Disaster, so afterwards the Red Cross and other organizations put a lot more effort into establishing a larger national blood bank to prevent a shortage the next time a large scale emergency happened."
"The growth of Texas City during the 40’s was attributed to the importance of the City’s port and industrial complex to the Allied war effort during World War II. Chemical and petroleum refining companies like Carbide & Carbon Chemical, Pan American Refining, and Monsanto all had plants located in Texas City. The Kellogg Company built a pipe bending factory that supplied naval vessels throughout the war, and there was even a tin smelting factory."
Did the Texas City Disaster have a major impact on any regulations, or were any laws or bills passed in response to the disaster?
"The 1947 Disaster had a major impact on how hazardous materials are handled- it is still used as a case study for industrial safety courses today. The Disaster triggered the very first class action lawsuit against the United States, and when the plaintiffs lost the lawsuit, Congress passed legislation to compensate the victims."
Has there been any change to the way that help is given to those in an emergency?
"Although many different groups rushed to provide aid and assistance, it was all disorganized. Today there are City, State, and National agencies that take control during emergency situations and follow established protocols. For example they set up headquarters from which to manage the emergency and implement a command structure, so that everyone involved in the rescue/recovery efforts knows what they are doing and where they need to be. For example the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has the Texas Emergency Management Assistance Team (TEMAT) which they send around the state to support cities and districts during large scale emergencies."
Seventy one years after the tragic event, can the impact of it still be felt in Texas City?
"Although Texas City has certainly recovered and grown since the Disaster, it is still the most defining moment of the City’s history. The City represents itself as a phoenix rising from the ashes. The Museum hosts the survivors for a reunion photo every year, and the City holds an annual memorial as well. Frequently we have museum visitors that have a personal connection to the Disaster; they usually share their stories with us. Also the City does a test of the City wide alarm system every Wednesday at noon."
Are there any interesting facts you know about the Texas City Disaster that are not commonly known?
"I had read or heard somewhere (but now can’t find the citation) that there wasn’t enough blood available for treating the victims during the Disaster, so afterwards the Red Cross and other organizations put a lot more effort into establishing a larger national blood bank to prevent a shortage the next time a large scale emergency happened."