This is was a bit longer than my usual selections but well worth the experience. It was unique for me in that after reading the book, I watched the Apple TV series for the first time. I ever explored the quote, “The book is better than the movie.” In this case, I feel that they might be equal. Those people at the Memorial faced some serious adversities. The conditions they had to endure were not favorable. I have been in some austere environments and had to make decisions under stress, and I know the only way to make good decisions under those conditions is through tough training and exposure. Those folks making decisions at Memorial had neither. During those five days, memorial faced hurracne-force wind, initial flooding, secondary flooding after the levees broke, population surge, power failure, communication failure, and the biggest of all, leadership failure. As conditions deteriorated and resources ran out, decision-making got tougher about what care to continue or stop, who would get evacuated first or last, and who would live and die at Memorial. These are seemingly impossible decisions to make when your situation deteriorates. The staff at Memorial and decision makers (at the hospital) had to overcome their struggles with exhaustion, hunger, dehydration, and emotional stress while trying to maintain compassionate care for their patients. Compassion led to the question of what to do about the most critical patients that would not be evacuated. The decision made at Memorial seems horrific, but what would you do? Leave the patient there to suffer alone till the end? Help ease the suffering but quicken the process? Would you stay with the patients? A tough decision indeed, one better considered before an incident ever occurs.
I think this event that Memorial went through highlights the importance of preparedness, particularly the need for good planning coupled with a strong training and exercise program. The IC in this event was woefully unprepared for her role, and when she pulled out the emergency action plan during the storm, only then did she realize it did not address evacuating during a flood (a gap that could have been discovered during a blue-sky exercise) indicating that she had not been prepared for her role. I firmly believe that the plan in a book is worth less than the paper it was written on, but the planning process it took to get it on paper (if done correctly) is priceless. Had the decision-makers at Memorial been a part of the planning process before this event, things would have gone a lot better. Working with hospital Emergency Management partners in my community, I understand the challenges in getting these key players to the table and how they can’t afford to take time away from their hospital duties for preparedness activities. Still, Memorial has shown us they can’t afford not to.
Take Aways
Complacency kills the people, and Memorial Hospital (the structure) had been through large storms before and served as a shelter for the surrounding community. When Hurricane Katrina hit, they thought it would be like other storms, and they would be minimally impacted, and no significant impact measures were taken. But this time was not the same, and they underreacted. Don’t let complacency catch you off guard, every event is different, and the way you have always done it may not cut it this time.
The planning process is the key to favorable or unfavorable outcomes. Take the time to plan for all hazards and contingencies thoroughly. Remember that a plan is never complete until it is widely known and tested, so ensure your planning process includes a training and exercise program.
Gather the resources you may need to sustain yourself and/or your organization for a short and long duration before an event. Needed resources can be identified during the planning, training, and exercise process.
Never lose your humanity as an Emergency Manager. Our number one purpose is people. Understand how your decisions will impact people and make them in the best interest of the whole community.
Disasters impact people in many ways, some visible and some invisible. Be sure to include the mental health of survivors and responders in the recovery process. Every time we experience something traumatic, we add another rock to our emotional rucksack, sometimes a small one, other times a large one. We must offload some of that weight as a matter of routine processing because no one knows which rock will break us. Take care of each other out there.
*As we observe Memorial Day today, I ask that you remember that today is in honor of those warriors who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy the freedoms we have. It is fitting that today is honored with barbeques and beer because that is how those warriors would celebrate if they were still here.