Our Philosophy
Priorities Not Procedures ™
Nothing fails faster than a response to an emergency which does not include all stakeholder priorities!
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned through the accidents I have responded to, is the tendency for an organization to over rely on procedures rather than the priorities at hand. Tunnel vision may become so severe, situational awareness may be lost. Priorities seldom change but procedures do change as systems are upgraded, technology changes and new ideas are implemented. There is an over emphasis on “how to do things” rather than a keen focus on the “what to do.” While procedures are important, quickly acting on the appropriate priorities is essential for an effective response to a disaster or emergency situation.
However, many organizations fail to identify key priorities and when they do, they do so only from an organizational perspective. Nothing fails faster than a response to an emergency which does not include all stakeholder priorities. Through my priority calibration process, we will work together to ensure your plan has identified the key priorities for an effective response and then ensure the procedures are in place to accomplish the task(s) you have prioritized.
Humanizing Command and Control ™
Understanding the humanity behind command and control will change the way you lead a response.
Command and Control (C2) is essential during an emergency response, however, what does it actually mean? Does it mean the same thing to each responder or volunteer in your organization? How does one effectively command and control the response? I believed I understood what C2 was until I led multiple responses each with over 500 employees and with multiple command centers. Understanding the humanity behind command and control will change the way you lead a response and how your team responds to your leadership. This fundamental truth changed the way I lead. Learn how to Humanize Command and Control and increase the overall effectiveness of your response.
Options Equal Success ™
Understanding all the options available before you respond will ensure your response has the flexibility to adapt to any situation.
What options are available to you in any given emergency response? As an accident response planner, I have often heard, “if you’ve seen one accident, you’ve seen one accident.” No two responses are the same. Yet there are similarities. Understanding the similarities and the various options available to you before you respond will ensure your response is flexible enough to handle any situation. I will take you through an intense process to identify response options to your established emergency response plan. This will change how you view your emergency response plan and how you execute your drills and exercises!
People are the Reason Why!
The humanitarian response may be the most challenging task when responding to a tragedy. What should you say? What shouldn’t you say? Empathy, compassion and patience are critical to the response for the people you serve and the organization you represent. After all, people are the reason why we respond to the emergency in the first place. Yet many people are fearful to approach the grieving or angry person during an emergency. How does one overcome the fear to address emotions such as grief, anger or remorse? I have had the privilege of assisting family members in the aftermath of a mass casualty disaster. I have seen first hand, the resiliency of the human spirit and how helping other’s during a tragedy can make a difference in the lives of everyone involved. I would welcome the opportunity to share with you what I have learned from those I was so fortunate to serve.