Houston-area firefighters honor West victims

Crews from Klein, Cy-Fair, Atascosita honor victims

WEST, Texas – As thousands gathered to remember the 12 firefighters and first responders who lost their lives in the West Plant explosion, a procession of their brothers and sisters in uniform paid tribute.

Among them, crews from the Houston-area, such as Klein, Cy-Fair, Atascosita and many more sent representatives.

"Whether you're a small town like West, Texas or a big city like Houston, we're still the people that arrive first," said Houston Fire Department Execute Assistant Chief Richard Mann. "From that standpoint, we're all brothers."

HFD brought in bagpipers and 41 honor guard members who wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

"People (in Houston) are talking about (the West explosion)," said HFD Honor Guard Commander Warren Hooker. "It's pretty much all over the city and all the firefighters feel that those that were unable to come, they want the City of West to know and the City of Dallas to know that they send their condolences and through us."

As the community of West tries to heal after the horrible tragedy, they can know that West will not be forgotten, nor will the selflessness of 12 men and those who carry on their mission like mission like League City, another volunteer fire company.

"It was just something in our hearts. It's just something we do. It's almost automatic pilot," said Natalie Perrone with League City Volunteer Fire Department. "We're there for our brothers and sisters, to support and help out and that's what we do."