Last month Lower Bucks Hospital honored its employees on Wednesday, February 11 for their courageous and professional response to the tragic explosion at the Bristol Bristol Health & Rehab Center days before on December 23, 2025. The blast killed three people, injured 19 others, and displaced roughly 180 people — most of them residents — after leaving the two-story building partially collapsed and uninhabitable.
To recognize staff efforts, the hospital hosted an employee luncheon where Senator Steve Santarsiero, Representative Tina Davis, and County Commissioner Bob Harvie presented an official commendation on behalf of the Bucks County Board of Commissioners. The commendation read, in part:
“To the staff and leadership of Lower Bucks Hospital — the Board of Bucks County Commissioners extended its sincere gratitude and recognition of your agency’s efforts on December 23, 2025, in responding to the deadly explosion at a local Bristol rehab and nursing home. A few populations are more vulnerable than those served by these facilities and, if not for the swift mobilization of scores of first responders, hospital staff, dispatchers and support agencies, this horrible tragedy may have easily spun into an unimaginable catastrophe. A successful operation exceeds the sum of its parts and no role in a mass-casualty response is a small one. We were truly humbled to witness the display of selfless courage from the hundreds of people involved in this response — including firefighters, emergency medical personnel, police officers, nurses and doctors, and many agencies and individuals from multiple municipalities, counties, and the states who ran toward danger to support those in harm’s way. The heroism exhibited that day — from pulling victims to safety and treating the wounded to extinguishing fires, to controlling the sprawling scene, and dispatching and managing resources, this represents the best of Bucks County and our neighbors. On behalf of a grateful County of Bucks County, we thank you for coming to the aid of those affected by this disaster and for the work you do every day to keep your communities healthy and safe.”
Credit: Parkland Fire Company
Michael Motte, CEO of Lower Bucks Hospital, thanked staff and partners for their immediate action and compassion during the crisis. “The events of December 23 tested every system and every person involved,” Motte said. “Our clinical teams, support staff, and partner agencies responded with speed, professionalism and extraordinary compassion — saving lives and providing comfort when it was needed most. I was profoundly proud of how our people rose to meet the moment.”
Motte added, “While we continued to grieve for the lives lost and supported those who were injured or displaced, that day’s gathering was important — not to celebrate, but to acknowledge the selfless work of our employees and first responders. Their actions embodied the very best of our community and reaffirmed our commitment to the safety and care of every neighbor we serve.”
Lower Bucks Hospital coordinated with local and county officials to support victims and families, assisted with relocations and ongoing medical needs, and participated in the investigation and recovery efforts. The hospital remained committed to providing any resources necessary to aid the community during the recovery process.
Nursing facility beds in the parking lot area after the explosion Tuesday.
Credit: Jeff Bohen Lower Bucks Source