Thad Allen on leading during the Gulf disasters: Lessons from the former commandant of the US Coast Guard, By Tom Fox

How can federal leaders lead and motivate their staff during a crisis?

When I was in Baton Rouge after I took over the entire response for Hurricane Katrina, I asked to assemble as many people as we could in one location so I could talk to them. We got about 2,250 in a big open space, and I got up on a desk with a loud hailer and told everybody I was going down to New Orleans. I told them I would be back as soon as possible and indicated who was in charge in my absence. I explained I was giving them a firm, direct order and said, “You're to treat anyone you come in contact with that's been affected by this storm as if they were a member of your own family, as if they were your brother, mother, father or sister.”

I told them this for two reasons. If you really do that, and you make a mistake, you will have erred on the side of doing too much and that's OK. Also, if you err on the side of doing too much and somebody has a problem with what you did, their problem is not with you, it’s with me, because I gave you the order.

There were people in the room who were openly weeping and there were collective sighs. Nobody had ever told the workforce in very simple terms what was important, what the priorities were, that leadership cared about them and their mission and that leadership was there to back them.

How do you get people to focus on resolving a problem when there are strong emotions involved?

I'm a strong believer in a concept they teach at the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University. Professor Leonard Marcus oversees the program, and he has a concept called “meta-leadership.” There are five attributes of a meta-leader that make you successful in a large, complex problem or crisis: How you lead down, how you lead up, how you lead across organizations, your understanding of the event itself, and managing yourself and emotions as a leader.

They use a metaphor “going to the emotional basement.” When you're in a position of responsibility, you cannot spend a lot of time going to the emotional basement. You’ve got to figure out a way to pull yourself out of it, not only for what you need to do as a leader but as an example to the folks that are working for you. I've found that in a crisis the higher up you are, the more you're going to be the one that has to pull yourself and everyone else out of the emotional basement, stabilize what you're doing and focus on what needs to be done. If you can't do that, you're going to get consumed in pathos and everything that's going on and not serve yourself or the country well. You could look to your subordinates or your superior, but there are going to be times where you walk alone, and you need to learn to do that.

How can you learn to be a strong leader?

You don't become a great leader by not leading. You always learn by doing it, which means you are going to make mistakes, and it's going to be trial and error. There are a number of events in your lifetime where you get put under stress; and the earlier you do that, the earlier you come to grips with how you react and how you interact with them intellectually. [Then] do an analysis on yourself and improve your performance for the next time.

Additionally, and I’m stealing somebody else's line here, great leaders are great learners. You need to be curious and a life-long learner, because in a crisis you're going to have to know large amounts of information, be a very fast learner, digest and synthesize knowledge, and turn it into action. You're always going to have to do that in conditions of uncertainty with incomplete information, and it's always going to be that way. But like anything else, the more you practice, the luckier you get.

How do you find the time to be a continuous learner?

You have to find ways to make the time. I take advantage of time that would normally be considered dead time. If I'm flying from one place or another in a helicopter or in transit in a car, I'm either reading or have my laptop out doing research online to get smart on the issues I'm dealing with. You have to create the mechanisms by which you can absorb information. It’s probably individual to each person, but if I don’t do that I've found myself feeling disjointed and distracted. It's almost like a compulsion; I've got to do it or I'm not having a good day.

When I got involved in the oil spill and started understanding the complexity and technical issues that were involved, I reached out for expertise, especially around what was going to be the pivotal role of the blowout preventer, which didn’t perform as advertised. I called Cameron, which made the blowout preventer, and said, ‘I’m coming to Houston; I want to meet with your president and your staff, and you’re going to give me blowout preventer 101 right now.’ And I got on a plane and went.

I’ll go to almost any source to get information. I keep a broad network of friends that I’ve known over the years, and I don’t hesitate to call them up if I think I need to. In fact, there were several instances during the oil spill where I called CEOs of other oil companies and asked them their opinion.

What advice do you have for those leading in the midst of anti-government sentiment?

Looking back, there was great cynicism in the 1960s and 1970s in regard to the Vietnam War and scandals in government like Watergate. You have this ebb and flow of confidence in the government. We understand there is a limit of what we want government to do, but we have high expectations of the performance of government. It's a dynamic tension that's always out there and has to be managed on a daily basis. Now, if you know that's the case, then as far as motivating people and motivating yourself, what you need to ask is: “How can we optimize what we do as a government?” I don't think we do enough of that.

Adm. Thad W. Allen is the former commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, a position he held until 2010. He has been in charge of several large-scale disasters, including directing all federal response and recovery efforts during Hurricane Katrina. Though he had retired from the Coast Guard, Allen was also the National Incident Commander for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which occurred one year ago today. Allen is now involved with several organizations and teaches at The George Washington University.

U.S. Coast Guard Commandant's Directions for 2011

We are defined by our Missions, our People, and our Heritage.
Your dedication to our missions keeps our Nation safe and
secure. Coast Guard men and women—Active Duty, Reserve,
Civilian and Auxiliary—get the job done in the most demanding
environments.

And you continue to enrich our heritage with countless inspiring actions
to save lives, enforce laws, protect citizens, and keep waterways clean.

From our maritime borders and littorals; through the Great Lakes,
Polar regions, and the Arabian Gulf; to the U. S. Exclusive Economic
Zone, territorial waters, and our many ports and inland waterways;
your performance has been superb, and for me, a source of pride.

You have earned our Nation’s trust as the lead federal agency for
Maritime Safety, Security and Stewardship. Demand for the Coast
Guard’s unique capabilities has never been higher.

As we have for over 220 years, we will remain ready to meet the Nation’s many
maritime needs. We will always fulfill our duties and obligations
to the American people, true to “Semper Paratus, Always Ready.”

This Direction is my trackline for the way forward. It takes a fix on our fundamental and enduring roles and value; it keeps a weather eye on the future operating environment for which we must prepare; and it sets the course with my Principles, Priorities and Objectives.

2010 was a historic year of extraordinary events and accomplishments. Our Nation is safer and more secure as a result of your actions. Because of each of you, we can state with conviction: There is no better place, and no better way to make a difference, than service in the United States Coast Guard.

So whenever asked who I am and what I do, I will reply with pride, “I am a Coast Guardsman. We are the men and women of the United States Coast Guard.”

Semper Paratus!
Admiral Bob Papp
USCG Commandant

Change of Watch: National Commodore of the Coast Guard Auxiliary

Friday, October 29, 2010
Written by: Christopher Lagan

Earlier today, Admiral Bob Papp presided as Commodore Jim Vass relieved Commodore Nicholas Kerigan as National Commodore of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in a Change of Watch ceremony at Coast Guard Headquarters.

Created by an act of Congress in 1939, the civilian volunteers of the Coast Guard Auxiliary have a proud history of answering the call to support Coast Guard missions including boating safety, search and rescue, and environmental response.

“The Auxiliary is an amazing all volunteer organization that provides exceptional service to the American people,” said Papp. “They are highly respected members of the Coast Guard family. We could not accomplish our duties without them.”

As National Commodore, Vass will oversee 31,000 Auxiliarists – a volunteer workforce that rivals the Coast Guard itself, who often serve as the only contact a boater will ever have with a member of the service.

“Every flotilla is part of a community, and we take our responsibility to be good neighbors seriously,” said Vass. “We want to be that town’s Coast Guard Auxiliary. We can be a force for positive action, bringing together our partners, customers, and the community every day.”

Congratulations to new Coast Guard Auxiliary National Commodore Jim Vass!

A Brush with Hurricane “Earl”

As Hurricane Earl recently made its way to the United States over the Caribbean Sea packing extreme winds and seas of a category four event, the Coast Guard and Auxiliary prepared for the worst and hoped for the best. While “Earl” was not a direct hit, it did brush the Caribbean Islands and the mainland’s east coast.

To ensure communications during this event, the Coast Guard moved their Communications Area Master Station – Atlantic inland. Subsequently the Auxiliary Monitoring system was tasked to actively monitor public broadcasts in support of the Global Maritime Distress & Safety System. An additional task was issued to the Pacific Area Auxiliary Monitors to monitor several additional frequencies. At this point, many Auxiliary telecommunications operators nationwide were involved in support of the Coast Guard as Hurricane Earl moved in for its close encounter with the east coast of the mainland.

While there were many cases of Auxiliary telecommunications operators processing distress calls, there were two incidents that illustrate their action and devotion to duty.

One of the first United States possessions to feel the effect of Hurricane Earl was St. Thomas in the Caribbean. On Sunday 29 August, “Earl” bore down on the island and disabled the Coast Guard’s tower back-up generator.

CG Sector San Juan contacted Auxiliary Monitors Klaus Willems, Cheryl Boynes Jackson, and John Melucci asking them to monitor the Very High Frequency (VHF) radio for any distress calls. As the eye of Earl passed St. Thomas, late in the evening on Monday 30 August, Sector San Juan contacted Auxiliarist Willems regarding a sailing vessel aground on the north side of Water Island.

Auxiliarist Willems was able to contact the vessel owner by radio and cellular phone, advising all to stay aboard since the vessel was very close to shore. Sector San Juan was continuously advised of the situation via land-line. The strong winds subsided around an hour later and a near by vessel was able to assist the grounded vessel. It was not until Tuesday 31 August that the Auxiliary team was able to stand down. Theirs is a great example of telecommunications skill, devotion to duty, and professional action while supporting the Coast Guard and the boating public.

The second example involved Auxiliarist Dan Amoroso monitoring the high frequency band from his home in Media Pennsylvania. Late in the evening of Thursday, 2 September, Amoroso received a distress call. Dan’s communications system disclosed the identity of the vessel in distress, time of the call and its position.

Auxiliarist Amoroso immediately notified the personnel at the Communications Area Master Station – Atlantic of the situation and provided the information received from the distress call. An interesting twist to the story is that the vessel was located on the Mississippi River, just south of New Orleans and Auxiliarist Amoroso’s radio is in Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia. This intercept again demonstrates the effectiveness of the Auxiliary Monitor program and the dedication of our members who serve on both coasts.

While the two stories outlined above took place during Hurricane Earl, there are numerous examples of members of our Auxiliary telecommunications community who stand watch during more routine times. Hurricane or no hurricane, we should salute all of our Auxiliary Telecommunication professionals and their dedication to the protection of life at sea.

Article Source:
By Joe T. O’Hagan, Branch Chief for Qualification and Training, Telecommunications Division, National Response Department (BC-RTQ Amoroso

Life Jacket for Life Tour

In a highly successful effort to increase awareness among the boating public about the critical importance of wearing life jackets, US Coast Guard District 7, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and a variety of partner agencies including the Coast Guard Auxiliary hosted a week-long outreach in Florida this spring, in conjunction with National Safe Boating Week. Additional local partners included US Power Squadrons, maritime law enforcement agencies, and marine vendors.

The Tour, which ran from Sunday, May 23, through Friday, May 28, 2010, included both land- and waterside components. A “Wear It Florida” jet boat traveled prominently down the Intracoastal Waterway from Jacksonville to Miami, accompanied by a marked FWC boat. At various stops along the way, partner vessels accompanied the “Wear It!” boat, and a variety of media events were scheduled at towns and cities along the way. Auxiliarists at local stops were selected to be “Port Captains”, to help organize events highlighting the Tour and the “Wear It!” message. On land, D7’s BAT-PAK life jacket display trailer was scheduled to parallel the trip south, participating in all scheduled media events. A shore contingent, including maintenance and relief personnel, formed up to support the BAT-PAK’s road trip.

During the BAT-PAK’s pre-Tour trip from Miami up to Jacksonville, an estimated 40,000 people saw the brightly wrapped trailer and tow truck plastered with “Wear It!” messages. About 500 boaters were present at the initial media event at Sister’s Creek Marina, and Auxiliarists and Power Squadron members conducted 55 vessel safety checks. Seven partners and agencies lent their support as the Tour departed for St. Augustine.

While the shore caravan reached about 15,000 people on the highway, the boats made a large impression on boaters in the ICW. The first overnight stop was Daytona Beach, with an associated media event at Coast Guard Station Ponce de Leon Inlet. Nine partners and agencies participated and 57 members of the media attended. There was a life jacket demonstration and, just outside the station, a boat parade assembled on the ICW.

The next stop was Titusville, where 59 people attended a media event, again complete with life jacket demonstration, on Wednesday, May 26. Many more saw the trailer and the boat parade accompanying the Tour boat. About 14,000 people saw the road caravan as it traveled to Stuart for another quick media event with nearly 90 attendees, this one hosted by West Marine. Then it was on to West Palm Beach; about 13,500 viewed the caravan along the way.

On Thursday, May 27, the BAT-PAK was set up next to the launch ramp at Phil Foster Park in Riviera Beach. The display attracted 121 visitors and 63 attended the associated media event. Next was the Alsdorf Boat Ramp at Pompano Beach where BAT-PAK personnel spoke with 278 boaters. The media event saw a large turnout of 310 visitors – maybe because the Goodyear blimp was floating overhead emblazoned prominently with “WEAR IT”! Local officials made two National Boating Safety Week Proclamations before the tour departed for Miami.

On Friday, 27 May the BAT-PAK trailer made its final stop adjacent to the launch ramp on Watson Island. Seventy-eight boaters visited the trailer and the media event, supported by Coast Guard D7 Public Affairs, drew 223 people. Seven different agencies and partners supported this last stop, providing 25 agency boats for the final on-water parade. The City of Miami presented a Boating Safety Week proclamation.

Overall, the Tour was a highly successful operation in support of boating safety. Over the course of the week-long event, Tour personnel raffled off 42 inflatable life jackets/belt packs and one Personal EPIRB, along with other assorted prizes, to interested boaters. The boat parade and BAT-PAK caravan also reached sizeable numbers of passive observers, communicating the “Wear It!” message to over 100,000 on the highway and more than 1000 on the ICW and at marinas along the way. Support was widespread, with 48 different agencies and partners assisting in Tour events. The media picked up on the events – at least two TV programs and two newspaper articles covered the Tour.

The substantial effort necessary to produce the Life Jacket Tour for Life 2010 depended heavily on the joint participation of hundreds of volunteers, including the Auxiliary “Port Captains”, members of FWC and active duty Coast Guard units, Auxiliarists, Power Squadron members, and a wide variety of marine vendors. Particular thanks are due to Brian Rehwinkle, FWC coordinator, and Bruce Wright, who impressively marshaled a large number of Coast Guard resources. Plans are all ready underway for a similar effort next year, and other states have indicated interest in partnering with Florida or hosting a separate, parallel event. Source: Bill Griswold, DSO-SL 7

National Safe Boating Week: May 22-28, 2010

ATTENTION All Recreational Boaters:

The National Weather Service has partnered with the National Safe Boating Council to help promote safe boating practices. Each day during Safe Boating Week several NWS offices will disseminate a Public Information Statement and broadcast public service announcements on NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards.

The following messages are brought to you by the National Safe Boating Council and the National Weather Service, reminding you that Safe Boating Week is May 16 through the 22nd. Make your 2010 boating season a safe one.

...Boating Under the Influence...

The effects of alcohol can be even more hazardous on the water than on land. Boating Under the Influence, or BUI, affects judgment, vision, balance and coordination. These impairments can increase the risk of being involved in a boating accident... for both passengers and boat operators. Alcohol is a contributing factor in about a third of all recreational boating fatalities.

It is illegal to operate any boat or watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in every state. Penalties can include fines, suspension or revocation of your drivers license and even jail time.

Every boater needs to understand the risks of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. To learn more, visit the National Safe Boating Council online, at www.safeboatingcouncil.org.

Check www.weather.gov or listen to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards for the latest forecasts and warnings.

...Dangers of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning...

Every boater should be aware of the risks associated with carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas produced when a carbon-based fuel - such as gasoline or propane - burns. C-O can be emitted from boat engines and gas generators.

Carbon monoxide fumes can harm or even kill you inside or outside your boat. It enters your bloodstream through the lungs, blocking the oxygen your body needs. Early symptoms are often confused with seasickness or intoxication. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations or short exposure to high concentrations can kill you.

Every boater needs to understand the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning. Know where and how carbon monoxide may accumulate in and around your boat. Maintain fresh air circulation. Install and maintain CO alarms inside your boat. To learn more, visit the National Safe Boating Council online, at www.safeboatingcouncil.org.

...Life Jackets...

Before you and your family get out on the water this year, grab a life jacket and "Wear It!" Nearly 90 percent of those who drown while boating were not wearing a life jacket.

Life jacket wear is one of the most effective and simple life-saving strategies for safe recreational boating. Boaters are required to have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket on board for every passenger on their vessel.

Modern life jackets are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. They are comfortable, lightweight, and perfect for any boating activity or sport.

No matter what the activity or life jacket style chosen, the most important thing is this: remember to grab a life jacket and "Wear It!" To learn more, visit the National Safe Boating Council online, at www.safeboatingcouncil.org.

...Safe Navigation in Dense Fog...

Don't be caught in a fog, especially on the water. You just may lose your life. Fog can create very low visibility making safe navigation difficult for boaters. Fog is formed when moist air changes form creating a cloud at the earth's surface. In dense fog the visibility can be reduced to less than a boat length, significantly increasing the risk of collision or grounding your boat.

If your boat is shrouded in fog, reduce your boat speed. Remember - you should always wear your life jacket whether it is foggy or not, but double-check to make sure that everyone is wearing a United States Coast Guard approved life jacket in situations with fog. Display lights and sound warning signals for limited visibility following navigation safety rules.

You can always anchor in a safe location until conditions improve. Other precautions boaters take in low visibility include posting lookouts to see and listen for signals or sounds from other vessels, or to just listen for the sound of breaking waves.

Remember that safe boating is no accident. Consider staying in port when dense fog is occurring or is expected. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards for the latest forecast and observation information before setting sail. On the open waters, set your radio frequency to the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards for alerts on sudden severe storms that might cross your path. Be prepared, not sorry.

...Navigation Rules of the Road...

Do you know what to do when approaching, meeting or over taking another boat? Before you take your boat out on the water this season, it's important that you know the "nautical rules of the road."

The nautical rules of the road are the navigation rules for preventing collisions on the water. Knowing the nautical rules of the road is important for all boaters. Knowing what to do when meeting, crossing or over taking another boat can prevent costly damage to your boat, personal injury or even loss of life. Whenever you believe there is a risk of collision you should slow down, stop or steer away from the situation as described in the navigation rules. Maintaining a proper lookout and a safe speed are all a part of the navigation rules and should be an important part of your boat operation.

Take some time to learn the nautical rules of the road this summer and ensure safer boating for you, your family, and the other boaters on the water. To learn more, visit the National Safe Boating Council online, at www.safeboatingcouncil.org.

And Remember...Grab a life jacket and "Wear It!"

...Vessel Safety Check (VSC)...

This boating season, make sure that you take advantage of the Vessel Safety Check (VSC), program - a free, no risk, service provided in your area by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and the US Power Squadrons. A qualified vessel examiner will conduct an inspection of all the required safety equipment carried or installed on a vessel and certain aspects of the vessel's overall condition. Even if you pay careful attention to safety, dangerous mechanical problems can crop up on the best-maintained boat. That's why the U.S. Coast Guard recommends that all recreational boats (including personal watercraft) get a free VSC each year.

A VSC is your best way of learning about conditions that might put you in violation of state or federal laws or, worse, create an unsafe condition for you or your passengers on the water.

Be prepared for any emergency when you are afloat. Get a free vessel safety check to ensure that your vessel complies with both Federal and State requirements. If the vessel meets all requirements, the examiner will award a Vessel Safety Check decal. If you vessel fails to receive a VSC decal, no law enforcement action is taken and the examiner will provide a list of items for correction.

To learn more, visit the National Safe Boating Council online, at www.safeboatingcouncil.org.

...Lightning Safety on the Open Water...

No one thinks they will ever be struck by lightning, but the most common threat boater's face in thunderstorms is lightning. Each year 100,000 thunderstorms develop across the United States and adjacent coastal waters. Lightning can generate a phenomenal amount of heat that can vaporize water, melt metal, or cause objects to explode. In fact, bolts of lightning can produce extreme temperatures up to 53,000 degrees Fahrenheit - or almost 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun!

A lightning strike to a boat can be catastrophic, especially if it results in a fire or loss of radio and navigation equipment. Although you cannot prevent lightning from striking your boat you can take protective measures to limit the damage.

The best things to do the minute you see lightning or hear thunder: head to shore and take shelter until the storm passes. If you must weather the storm out on the water, drop anchor so the boat's bow points into the wind. If your boat has a cabin, stay inside and avoid touching metal or electrical devices. If your boat doesn't have a cabin, stay as low as you can in the boat.

At all times, but especially during thunderstorms, make sure you and your crew are wearing life jackets. To protect your boat, make sure it is grounded. Use a good conductive material to allow the current to travel through and off the boat through a discharge plate or the keel. Another way to minimize the chance of a lightning strike is to install a static dissipater.

Even though you cannot stop lightning from striking, you can take measures to protect or minimize damage to yourself and your crew. Remember that boating safety begins ashore with planning and training.

Listen to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards for the latest forecast and observation information before setting sail. On the open waters, set your radio frequency to the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards for alerts on sudden severe storms that might cross your path. Be prepared, not sorry.

2010 Recreational Boating Season is Almost Here!

It is closer than you think—recreational boating season, that is. Recreational boating is fun and enjoyable; however, our waterways have become crowded at times and at times can be a place of chaos and confusion. While being a marvelous source of recreation, boating, to the seasonal boater, can be a risky sport. Not knowing or obeying the Navigation Rules or the nautical “Rules of the Road,” drinking alcohol or taking drugs while operating a boat, or choosing not to wear your life jacket when doing so is clearly not the smart thing to do, often result in mishaps caused by human error or a lack of proper judgment.

One particular behavior that can reduce the number of boaters who lose their lives by drowning each year by approximately 80% is the wearing of a life jacket. It is a simple task and one that has the potential to reduce terrible loss in lives. Knowledge and skills are important in reducing human error and improving judgment. When recreational boaters are aware of the risk, they are likely to take the precautionary measures to protect themselves, their family, and friends. Now is the time to become a more knowledgeable and skilled boater.

Across the country, boating safety professionals are working hard to make our waterways safe by offering a wide range of recreational activities and training classes to help you prepare for the 2010 boating season. Take a moment now to consider what you can do to prepare yourself for a safe boating season. For more information, please visit http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/default.aspx.