GSN Magazine June 2016 Digital Edition

eryone will recognize an unfamiliar
or extraordinary sound. It may not
require an immediate response, but
it will get your attention. This provides
you with a moment to pause,
think and recall your plan of action.
Usually normalcy will return. If it
doesn’t, you are already turning on
your brain to be prepared for action.
The above scenario could easily
happen in your workplace. That
loud crack will get your attention.
Should you just ignore it, or should
you start thinking of the “what if ’s.”
If you smell something burning,
does that get your attention? Start
the “what if.” Your safety will depend
on your preparation and how
you react.
If you begin thinking of the, “what
if ’,” you are already one step ahead
of everyone else in keeping yourself
safe. Prepare, plan and react. These
are things you need to train your
brain on now.
There are reasons why first responders,
law enforcement and
military are constantly training.
They are learning how to respond
in specific ways for different situations;
achieving so-called “muscle
memory.” You might often hear
these professionals repeat the mantra,
“Always revert to your training.”
There is a good reason why.
We, as civilians, are no different.
We may not need to train to this
high level, but the underlying objective
of teaching our brains how
to react in extreme situations is the
same: a calm, rational, effective response.
Stay Calm
The sudden onset of confusion, fear,
hysteria and chaos can be overwhelming.
Not everyone will be
prepared. As you think about this
and have an opportunity to prepare
yourself, be ready to lead those who
are with you at that time. There will
be times you will have to take on
the role as leader to get everyone
to a safe place. Those who are not
trained or prepared will be in denial
and confused that something dangerous
is happening. They will be
frantically looking for their protec-
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tor. That protector may be you until
first responders arrive.
Emergency situations, either
man-made or natural, can confront
you with a clear and present danger.
Preparation and planning can make
the difference between becoming a
victim, or emerging as a survivor.
Mike Pena is Executive Vice President
of Homeland Security for Apprio
Inc. and has an extensive 35 year
career in first response, emergency
preparedness, homeland security and
facility protection. Pena’s background
includes first responder experience
with the New York City Fire Department’s
Special Operations Command
and FEMA, as well as security and
critical infrastructure protection experience
with the Department of Energy’s
(DOE) Brookhaven National
Laboratory.