More than five weeks after the explosion at Coryell Memorial hospital, three emergency responders spoke to Central Texas News Now about what they remember from that day.
"As far as experiencing the event, it's right there on top you know this was our house that blew up," Coryell Memorial Hospital EMS Director, Jeffrey Mincy said.
But that didn't stop Mincy and his EMS team at Coryell Memorial Hospital from responding to the explosion site.
"There was a loud explosion while I was in my truck and the face of someone driving toward me was like 'oh my god' and then fear," Field Paramedic, Lt. Dylan Newsom said. "My first initial thought was to run that way."
Running to the danger was an action done by not only Newsom but the entire EMS team
"I met with some physicians and a couple nurses and we started triaging and getting people out of the blast site," Deputy Chief Daniel Lay said.
Getting victims out of the explosion site was a priority for everyone trying to help, especially for Newsom after a police officer said he and his patient were trapped in the explosion site.
"I asked him what he meant and he said there was only one way in and out and it was down by a power line, a live wire and no one was getting in or out at that time," Newsom said.
Newsom worked on his patient with minimal supplies until the power was turned off and he could get his patient to a helicopter which it's something the 23-year-old said is a moment he trained for and will never forget.
"It's something that will stay with us for the rest of our lives," Newsom said.
Since the explosion, the EMS staff had the opportunity to participate in Critical Incident Stress Debriefing which is something the department offers to make sure their employees have dealt with the tragedy that they were a part of and are able to move forward.
The EMS team also said they plan to use the explosion as a reference for training in the future.
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