Waynesboro Volunteers Assist Salvation Army at AES Explosion Site

The sun was barely up when tragedy struck Bucksnort, Tennessee. In the early morning hours of Friday, October 10, a powerful explosion ripped through Accurate Energetic Systems, an explosives manufacturer located off I-40 in rural Hickman County. One building was obliterated in an instant, and sixteen people lost their lives.

The small community of Bucksnort awoke to sirens, smoke, and heartbreak.

When news of the disaster reached The Salvation Army, its officers and disaster teams immediately began coordinating with state and local emergency officials to determine how best to serve. Within hours, plans were underway to mobilize support for both first responders and families impacted by the tragedy.

On Saturday morning, Scott Tibbetts, The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services Director for the Kentucky–Tennessee Division, arrived on site to assess the situation and meet with emergency management officials. Though new to The Salvation Army, Tibbetts brought years of experience in disaster relief work—and a deep sense of calling to serve.

“I arrived that morning simply wanting to find out where the greatest need was,” Tibbetts said. “When something like this happens, it shakes the entire community. The Salvation Army’s role is to bring calm in the chaos—to show up, listen, and serve in Jesus’ name.”

From that point, The Salvation Army’s mission took shape quickly. The immediate need was clear: hydration and emotional and spiritual care for the hundreds of first responders conducting search, rescue, and recovery operations amid the devastation. Over the following days, teams provided cold drinks, snacks, and words of encouragement to those tirelessly serving at the scene.

For The Salvation Army, disaster relief always extends beyond physical support. Emotional and Spiritual Care (ESC) is a vital part of the response—offering prayer, presence, and compassion to people in crisis.

Among those providing that care was Major N.J. Pope (Ret.), a longtime Salvation Army officer who lives about an hour from Bucksnort in Waynesboro, Tennessee. When he learned of the explosion, he felt led to help in whatever way he could.

“As we arrived at the AES site, we had to go through security, which was excellent,” Major Pope said. “We were given a unique opportunity to communicate one-on-one with the employees who were still on the job doing all the difficult things that had to be done. They were very poised in handling their duties.”

As he met with workers, Pope said he could sense both the heaviness of loss and the quiet resilience of those still standing.

“They shared appreciation for the presence of The Salvation Army,” he recalled. “It was my privilege to pray with almost everyone I spoke to. They gladly shared in that prayer, and tears flowed from some of them as we did.”

One man told Pope he had eaten breakfast with two coworkers who died in the explosion. “He said only moments after they left the cafeteria, he heard the blast,” Pope said softly. “He pointed out how important it is that everyone be ready to meet Christ at all times, for they had no idea five minutes before that they would be gone so soon.”

For Pope, that encounter brought the true purpose of the ministry into focus. “It was a blessing to share gift cards with them,” he said, “but those only gave us a way to offer something far more important. We shared Jesus together.”

By Monday, additional Salvation Army officers had joined the response, including Lt. Patrick Lewandowski, corps officer for The Salvation Army of Clarksville, Tennessee. Lewandowski and two fellow officers were assigned to the Family Assistance Center in nearby Waverly, where family members gathered to seek information, support, and comfort.

“It’s in places like that—quiet rooms filled with sorrow—that The Salvation Army’s mission really comes alive,” Lewandowski said. “Our calling is to be a presence of peace, to remind people that even in unimaginable pain, God is still near.”

Lt. Lewandowski and his team spent time with grieving families, praying with those who wanted it and simply listening to others who needed to talk.

“Sometimes people just need to know someone sees them and cares,” he said. “That’s where God’s healing begins.”

As recovery efforts continued, The Salvation Army expanded its services beyond the disaster site and the Family Assistance Center. The team began distributing food boxes, cleaning supplies, hygiene kits, baby items, and financial assistance to affected families—many of whom lost both loved ones and income due to the plant’s closure.

Since the explosion on October 10, The Salvation Army has provided:

• 968 drinks

• 419 snacks

• 166 Emotional and Spiritual Care contacts

• 336 cases of financial assistance

• 344 cleaning supply kits

• 1,416 food boxes

• 278 infant supply packages

These efforts reflect the organization’s long-standing strength in disaster response—serving in communities large and small across the country.

“The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to respond in moments like this,” Tibbetts said. “Because we already serve in nearly every zip code in America, we can mobilize quickly when tragedy strikes. We don’t have to come in from the outside—we’re already here.”

“Disasters always reveal both the fragility of life and the strength of community,” Tibbetts reflected. “We’ve seen both here. And we’re committed to staying as long as we’re needed.”

As for Major Pope, the experience in Bucksnort reaffirmed what has defined his decades of ministry.

“In moments like these, you realize that people don’t just need things—they need hope,” he said. “And that’s what The Salvation Army brings. We bring hope because we bring Christ.”

Anyone who wishes to contribute or who would like to learn more about volunteering may call Major N.J. Pope at 931-332-4422.

Photos Courtesy of N.J. Pope, NewsChannel 5, and The Salvation Army