image source mike segar | reuters
The big story of US Airways flight 1549 was how two separate entities came together to save 155 lives. Each had their own processes and safety procedures that meshed on the Hudson for a positive outcome.
What the US Airways crew and first responders from the New York Waterway ferry service shared in common were good regulations, good training and ready-to-go safety equipment. This allowed both to move with speed and intelligence. Proactive.
What’s more, both processes gave clear information to the passengers. Directions anchored in common purpose.
This event reinforces the fact that all disaster preparedness and response are local. And funding needs to go for those programs where the real action happens. Efforts like the Citizen Corps are making a real difference (with very little funding) in disaster preparedness at the local level.
The miracle on The Hudson is a stark reminder that investing in our processes and backbone can be the razor thin margin of success.
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