Editor:

On behalf of the Knightville Mill Creek Neighborhood Association I
would like to thank the many professionals who responded to the gas
explosion on D Street in Knightville on Oct. 1. It was an upsetting and
frightening situation for those of us who live and work in the
Knightville area, especially the people who had to be evacuated from D
Street for several days.

The response from the city began within minutes after the explosion and
continued for days until the area was secure enough for us to feel
confident that things were starting to normalize.

Our warmest thanks to:

Fire Chief Kevin Guimond and his outstanding department. We appreciate
your “erring on the side of caution” to be sure that the neighborhood
will be safe.

Fire Lt. Chief Rob Couture, Public Information Officer who handled the flow of information into and out of the site.

Police Chief Ed Googins and his officers for keeping the site secure
and for comforting and reassuring concerned residents and local
business owners and their workers.

Jeff Temple- Emergency Operations Director for coordinating city
departments, state agencies and neighborhood residents and businesses.

City Departments (Public Works, Sewer Maintenance, Police Dept., Fire
Dept. and City Hall) and State agencies (Fire Marshall, Public
Utilities Commission, and the State Police) who worked as a team to
provide superior service and safety for the residents and property
owners in the area.

The Salvation Army for feeding the public safety workers at the site.

The workers at the Emergency Shelter and our fellow citizens who took in neighbors and their pets during the evacuation.

If I have forgotten anyone please know that you are included in our
thoughts and thanks. It is a good feeling to know how well-prepared we
are in the city for unanticipated disasters, large or small.

Thank you all!

Sincerely

Rommy Brown, Chairperson

The Knightville Mill Creek Neighborhood Association