Vance fire fighters respond to Enid explosion Published Nov. 28, 2006 By TSgt M. Davis Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Vance fire fighters responded to an off-base emergency Monday, when a building exploded in North Enid injuring two employees and destroying part of the facility. For many years, Vance Air Force Base has been involved in a tri-county mutual aid agreement allowing Vance security forces, law enforcement, medical technicians and fire fighters to provide assistance to local communities and vice versa. "We were originally called to respond to a fire at Mid-Continental Packaging in town," said Greg Knight, Vance fire station assistant chief of training and operations. "But then we were notified of the explosion and were rerouted to the ADM Milling plant." When Vance AFB's seven-person emergency crew arrived, they learned that flour dust ignited in the storage and blending area of the five-story facility, which warehouses approximately 280,000 pounds of flour. The facility's walls were blown away and two people were seriously injured. Vance AFB and several other fire and rescue responders from nearby towns stood by to provide assistance for Enid emergency teams. Fortunately, the emergency was resolved quickly, and no other emergency support was needed. Coming to the city's aid the week before, Vance's search-and-rescue team provided assistance to Enid authorities Jan. 21, when a local resident jumped off a dam on the east side of Great Salt Plains Lake. Vance rescue workers rappelled down the dam to retrieve the individual. "We have several people who specialize in rope rescue," Mr. Knight explained. "We are always postured to respond to emergency at Vance AFB and within the nearby areas." Vance AFB firefighters are well trained and ready at a moment's notice to provide emergency services whenever and wherever needed, said Lt Col Robert Mitchell, 71st Mission Support Group deputy commander. "Their professional service demonstrates the great partnership Team Vance has with the surrounding communities," he said.