05/29/2026
As details continue to emerge from the Longview paper mill incident, one thing remains clear: industrial emergencies rarely happen exactly as planned.
While investigators will determine the actual cause, white liquor is a highly caustic chemical used in the kraft paper process and is commonly stored in massive tanks operating under constant thermal and mechanical stress. Failures of this type are often the result of a combination of factors such as corrosion, structural fatigue, maintenance issues, pressure imbalances, or foundation problems.
When a tank of this size fails, the consequences can be devastating. The sudden release of large volumes of chemical can create forces similar to a dam breach, causing significant structural damage and exposing workers to hazards such as traumatic injuries, chemical burns, toxic atmospheres, and entrapment.
For me, incidents like this reinforce why emergency response teams must be properly trained, equipped, and exercised long before an emergency occurs. The best time to find weaknesses in plans, equipment, communications, and team capabilities is during training, not during a real-world event when lives are on the line.
My thoughts are with the workers, their families, and the responders facing what appears to be an incredibly difficult situation. Preparedness isn't just a requirement; it's what gives people the best chance of going home at the end of the day.
