JOINT-BASE SAN ANTONIO-Randolph, Texas – There’s a new sheriff in town. Shane MacDonald, newly hired 340th Flying Training Group Emergency Management Program Manager, immediately began to evaluate the unit’s readiness by laying the foundation for mandatory recall and active shooter exercises.
MacDonald brings with him more than 28 years of government service in and out of uniform.
MacDonald made his presence known with an Aug. 22 recall exercise followed by an active shooter exercise Aug. 28.
“Success in an emergency\disaster situation requires a prompt response and effective action,” said MacDonald. When an emergency strikes, knowing what to do can save time, property and most of all, lives. My job is to ensure we are ready for whatever nature or man throws at us.”
The recall exercise required a group-wide response. That’s not as easy as it sounds. Success required personnel in seven squadrons at five different geographically separated locations to respond within the exercise parameter window.
MacDonald said the vector for the recall exercise was hurricane preparedness, and explained that although many of the group’s squadrons are not in a typical hurricane-impact area, the group still has to be vigilant. As storms move further inland they are capable of spawning severe weather such as tornadoes, thunderstorms, flooding, hail, damaging winds and more that can affect other areas.
June through November is prime hurricane season. MacDonald said more hurricanes reach landfall in the U.S. in September than in any other month, so the recall exercise was a perfect opportunity to test the group’s accountability capability prior to going into September.
“The exercise provided an opportunity to validate and ensure all member’s recall information was current,” MacDonald said. ‘Additionally, it allowed units to test existing recall processes so any deficiencies could be noted and/or corrected.”
MacDonald said response to the recall exercise was great but suggested the unit’s active shooter procedures have room for improvement.
“Emergency plans do not necessarily have to be lengthy or complex,” said MacDonald. “They should be easy to understand and tailored to the specific workplace where they apply. In a crisis communication will be essential. Over the next several weeks we will develop our emergency action plan, conduct more training exercises and establish clear protocols for response team members and staff to ensure we are prepared to effectively respond and help minimize the loss of life should a worst case scenario present itself.”