Postal employees responded swiftly when a fertilizer plant in Athens, TX, caught fire recently, forcing the closure of a five-block radius that included the local Post Office.

The employees removed all mail from the office — no small feat since a police escort was required to get through the barricades.

Athens, TX, employees, temporarily deployed in Jacksonville, TX, prepare mail for delivery. Photo courtesy of the Athens Daily Review. Click on the image for larger view.

“It was extremely important that we got all the mail out. We take the security of the mail very seriously,” said Postmaster Gerald Malanders.

The next day, the employees relocated about 40 miles away to Jacksonville, TX, where they processed mail for delivery in Athens.

Later that day, when the area around the fertilizer plant was deemed safe, employees returned to the Athens Post Office and resumed their duties. The retail window reopened at 1 p.m.

“I’m proud of every single employee at this Post Office,” said Customer Services Supervisor Travis Gore. “Everyone chipped in and got it done.”

USPS News Link Story – Getting it done.