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On Tuesday, December 19, 2023, a home in the City of West Park suffered an explosion which has resulted in multiple homes in the surrounding area experiencing damage. On behalf of the City, we want to ensure that we provide accurate updates and information on our emergency management of this situation. To date, the State Fire Marshall is still actively working to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
We commend and thank our emergency response team including BSO Police and Fire staff who immediately responded to the scene with rescue efforts, and our Public Works staff who cleared the streets of debris immediately following this incident. We also want to recognize that our Building Official immediately responded to the site and went door to door to perform a damage assessment on properties, and identified four properties that were at that time considered unsafe. The Building Official is still working with these residents to address these concerns.
Since the incident, city staff has been working with local, county, and state partners to seek resources as part of our emergency management efforts, per the City’s Code of Ordinances. These partners include: These partners include: Carver Ranches Family Success Center; Broward County Minor Home Repair Program; Florida Department of Children and Families; American Red Cross; Community Enhancement Collaboration; Family Success Administration; Taskforce for Ending Homelessness; Home Touch; Broward County Human Services / Family Success Division; and the City of West Park Community and Economic Development Department.
To address any mental health or trauma resulting from the incident, we immediately authorized our vendor, Memorial Healthcare Systems, to walk door to door to the affected residents with information on their mental health/trauma counseling services. Additionally, the City, along with Memorial Healthcare Systems, BSO Police and Fire department, and our partner, State Representative Marie Woodson, provided clothing, food, a storage unit, holiday gifts, and gift cards to residents who were affected.
The Mayor and City Manager have conducted multiple tours of the affected area along with Senator Jason Pizzo, State Representative Woodson, and other partners, to speak with affected residents. The tours were very important as they allowed Senator Pizzo and Representative Woodson an opportunity to see the damage firsthand, so they can advocate for funding to assist the affected residents.
A coordination meeting and strategy session was held on December 28, 2023, including County Administrator Monica Cepero, County staff, County Vice Mayor Beam Furr, Senator Pizzo, Representative Woodson, West Park Mayor, Felicia Brunson, and the City Manager, to discuss current efforts and next steps in the local response. Following the meeting, the County Housing Finance Division created a streamlined West Park Minor Home Repair program using SHIP funding to assist residents impacted by the recent explosion. This program follows the parameters of the Division’s existing Minor Home Repair program by replacing windows, roofs, and doors as needed.
Broward County staff will be available at City Hall on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, and on Thursday, January 4, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, to meet with affected residents only to discuss the program, answer questions, and take applications for assistance. Additionally, staff from Human Services will also be on site at City Hall to provide information and referrals for other needs the affected residents may have.
We will continue gathering information and working with local and state officials to ensure residents affected by this incident have access to ongoing information and assistance, while observing the proper protocols for such incidences. Thank you to all partners for your ongoing support. On behalf of the City of West Park, the County, and State, and all our partners, we extend best wishes to the residents of West Park for the new year.
