LEADER TO LEADER
Safety is More Than Careful Flying
by Jim Rice,
Chairman Leader Member Committee
Recently, there was a serious
incident at AMA HQ. A package was delivered that
contained a suspicious white powder. Unfortunately,
the package was carried through the building to be
reported to the emergency preparedness officer for
HQ. The actions taken from that point forward were
exemplary and timely.
The building was vacated, the sheriff was notified,
and the staff was sent home. This all happened on
Friday morning and no reports were received before
close of business. Jim Cherry, ED, and many senior
staffers were in Toledo so action had to be taken
from afar.
The sheriff did not report anything on Saturday, so
the FBI was queried as to what action should be
taken next. They offered little assistance so Jim
decided to evaluate the condition of the mail clerk
on Sunday evening to determine his state of health
and then reopen the building on Monday morning if he
remained okay.
Sunday, he went on the Internet to determine
everything he could about suspicious white powder
incidents. He discovered that they are fairly common
and that post offices screen all packages for
anthrax and other dangerous chemicals. Preliminary
reports from the sheriff indicated it was not
anthrax or any other dangerous chemical, although,
they weren’t sure what it was.
Jim returned to Muncie a day early to be present for
the opening of business on Monday. Meanwhile, he
arranged for the Security Chief from Ball Memorial
Hospital, who is an instructor for Homeland
Security, to come to HQ and help him brief the staff
on the probabilities of the situation. After the
briefing, he asked all employees to return to work
and offered anyone not wanting to risk entering the
building the opportunity to take leave until the
situation was finally resolved. Several opted to
head home at that time.
Jim then led the rest of the employees in to work,
leading by example, not asking others to take the
responsibility for making the tough decision. All of
this thinking on your feet and reacting to the
situation was well done and is commendable.
Why did I write about this? I think leaders at all
levels should give thought to serious incidents that
they may experience at events or during weekend
flying. Develop some simple plans of how to react to
a gun-wielding nut that might arrive at the field,
or how to contact and direct medical authorities
should a medical emergency arise.
Simple instructions such as written directions to
the field that might be provided to police, or EMS,
or GPS coordinates of the field. A class on first
aid at a club meeting, what equipment and supplies
would be appropriate in a first aid kit, or perhaps
a list of club members who might have a concealed
carry permit so everyone would have an idea of who
to go to if the first incident listed were to occur,
are other examples.
I think the best solutions to any serious incident
are to remain calm, apply common sense, and allow
the most organized and prepared person to take
charge. Even if it as simple as removing an irate
pilot from the premises, prior thought and planning
can help expedite the correct response.Q |
|
