Get 'N' Your Business Podcast guests: Mrs.Jannie Everette, Hattie Jackson Dawson, and Emma Lue Gibbs

Remembering Woodbine - The Thiokol Explosion Tragedy

Rising from her desk in a classroom at Camden County High School, Jannie Everette felt a tremor. An explosion at the Thiokol munitions plant near Woodbine, some fifteen miles distant, had set off a series of fires, leading to a massive explosion that lit up the sky. The school let out students early, using the buses to help evacuate those affected by the disaster. On that day, February 3, 1971, Jannie was unaware of her mother's fate, who was an employee at Thiokol.

Lucille, Jannie's mother, was among the survivors, while 29 of her colleagues either perished on-site or succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. Over 50 individuals were left wounded. Jannie reflects, "It seems God had different plans for my mother." The incident drew nationwide attention, resulted in several legal actions, and led to changes in emergency response protocols by firefighters.

In response to the tragedy, Jannie initiated the Thiokol Memorial Project in 2015. This non-profit organization aims for the formal acknowledgment of the victims by Congress and the establishment of a memorial and educational center in Camden County to perpetuate the memory of the disaster. "This initiative is a tribute to dedication and bravery," Jannie remarks. "And that is something worth commemorating."

Key Topics Covered

1. Background and Context: We set the stage by providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the Thiokol Chemical Plant, its operations, and its role in the local economy and national defense efforts.

2. The Day of the Explosion: An in-depth look at the events of February 3, 1971, piecing together the timeline that led to the catastrophic explosion, which claimed 29 lives and injured dozens, making it one of the deadliest industrial accidents in U.S. history.

3. Firsthand Accounts: Survivors and family members of the victims share their harrowing stories, offering a deeply personal perspective on the tragedy and its immediate aftermath.

4. Emergency Response and Investigation:** We explore the emergency response to the explosion, the challenges faced by first responders, and the subsequent investigation into the cause of the explosion, including discussions on safety protocols and what went wrong.

5. Impact on the Community: This segment focuses on the social, emotional, and economic repercussions of the explosion on the Woodbine community, including how it coped with the loss and rallied to support affected families.

6. Lessons Learned and Safety Reforms: An analysis of the changes in safety regulations and practices that were implemented in the wake of the Thiokol explosion, both locally and within the wider chemical industry.

7. Memorialization and Remembrance: We conclude with a look at how the victims are memorialized and the ongoing efforts to ensure that the lessons from this tragedy continue to inform safety practices and community resilience.

8. The Day That Shook Georgia" Documentary: We discuss the recently released documentary, "The Day That Shook Georgia," discussing its creation, its impact, and how it aims to memorialize the event and its significance to Georgia's history and beyond.

This episode of Get 'N' Your Business Podcast is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of tragedy, offering insights and lessons that resonate far beyond the borders of Woodbine, Georgia. Join us as we remember the lives lost and learn from the past to build a safer future.

The Day That Shook Georgia" documentary is available for viewing at https://www.pbs.org/video/the-day-that-shook-georgia-yxbjtu/