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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Hospitals have always been looked upon as places of safety where people gather by choice or circumstances to heal. Tragically, it’s during this ebb and flow of sickness and healing that patients, their family members, or even employees carry violence into the workplace.
In the last decade the landscape of safety and security in America has dramatically improved. Yet, we are still faced with horrific acts of violence that attempt to destroy the fabric of our freedoms and the strength of our resolve. Tragedies such as the active shooting in San Bernardino, California and one of the largest mass shooting in America’s history in Orlando, Florida continue to strike us at our core, causing all of us to pause and reflect on our current strategies and protective postures. In all of my travels working with organizations to implement effective training programs for hospitals, schools, businesses, and other public venues, I have discovered one area that is routinely overlooked.
This critical “missing link” in our chain of safety was brought to light almost half a century ago at a hospital in Dallas, Texas. The year was 1963. Our nation was in the midst of an unbelievable crisis and our allies throughout the world looked on in horror…
DALLAS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT
Office Memorandum
November 27, 1963
To: All Employees
At 12:38 p.m., Friday, November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy and Texas’ Governor John Connally were brought to the Emergency Room of Parkland Memorial Hospital after being struck down by the bullets of an assassin.
At 1:07 p.m., Sunday, November 24, 1963, Lee. H. Oswald, accused assassin of the late president, died in an operating room of Parkland Memorial Hospital after being shot by a bystander in the basement of Dallas’ City Hall. In the intervening 48 hours and 31 minutes Parkland Memorial Hospital had:
1. Become the temporary seat of the government of the United States.
2. Become the temporary seat of the government of the State of Texas.
3. Become the site of the death of the 35th President.
4. Become the site of the ascendency of the 36th President.
5. Become the site of the death of President Kennedy’s accused assassin.
6. Twice become the center of the attention of the world.
7. Continued to function at close to normal pace as a large charity hospital.
What is it that enables an institution to take in stride such a series of history jolting events? Spirit? Dedication? Preparedness? Certainly, all of these are important, but the underlying factor is people. People whose education and training is sound. People whose judgment is calm and perceptive. People whose actions are deliberate and definitive. Our pride is not that we were swept up by the whirlwind of tragic history, but that when we were, we were not found wanting.
(Signed)
C. J. Price
Administrator
This letter written by Mr. Price memorialized what should be the cornerstone of every crisis response strategy. While it is true that robust emergency operation plans and effective safety policies are essential in navigating critical incidents, all of these are inconsequential without employees who are well-led, well-equipped, and well-trained.
The unfortunate reality is that unexplainable acts of violence can occur anywhere at any time, from hospitals and schools to malls and amusement parks. However, all of these industries have one thing in common: people. Your people. Your employees are the most valuable and effective resource to aid in detecting, deterring, and denying an active killer access to your place of business.
The majority of active shooter plans across the nation rely on the response and effectiveness of first responders. While this speaks volumes to the amount of confidence and trust we have in our local law enforcement professionals, it is imperative to remember that you and your employees will always be first on-scene.
As leaders, one of our fundamental duties is to adhere to three critical principles outlined by Mr. Price:
- Develop employees whose education and training is sound.
- Develop employees whose judgment is calm and perceptive.
- Develop employees so their actions during critical incidents are deliberate and definitive.
At the end of every day, your personal goal should be to walk away with the knowledge and confidence that your employees are well-led, well-equipped, and well-trained. Implementing this formula for success will ensure that if your organization is swept up into the whirlwind of history’s tragic grasp, your employees, your customers, and your business will not be found wanting.
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