EMERGENCY SERVICES HAWK

Vol.6, Issue 1

Civil Air Patrol

February 2007

To Be Ready, Responsive, and Relevant

SEMPER VI
Maximum Achievement
In emergency services operations, there are two types of operations; quick short-term response
and long-term sustained effort. Within each of those two operations, there are the two functions of
off-site strategic management and on-site tactical leadership. No matter what type of operation or
leadership/management function, the goal in an emergency response should be maximum
achievement by all personnel and teams.
There are four leadership/management dimensions, which when combined (based on the
situation) can improve varying levels of achievement:

Demand- clearly stating and requiring compliance with unmistaken standards of

excellence

Control- to be strict and decisive regarding all directives, with intolerance to deviation
from set standards of performance

Warmth- acting with a combination of encouragement and support to each individuals

and the teams well-being

Autonomy- granting a degree of initiative and personal judgment as a form of trust and
encouragement

The above does not replace the three basic management and leadership styles; authoritative,
participative, and delegative.
The Authoritative Leader/Manager- an authoritarian leader/manager tells the team what has to be
done and how it will be done, without getting advice from the team. This style is best suited with
an inexperienced team that is facing a daunting task. An authoritarian will not have trouble using
demand and control, but may need to work on granting autonomy and providing warmth. An
authoritative person providing warmth will make the tasking demands seem fair. An authoritative
person delegating and granting autonomy will produce a tactical buy-in and the resultant mix will
be a very high achievement effort.
The Participative Leader/Manager- a participative leader/manager includes one or more team
members in the decision process. This style is best suited when there are key team members
with specialized skill and talent that need development in a leadership role. A participative
leader/manager will readily provide warmth and autonomy, but may have concerns about
applying control and certain performance demands. A participative leader controlling the situation,
with specific performance demands, will gain the respect of the team as a person who will take
control of critical situations and lead. The combination will be a surprisingly successful effort.
The Delegative Leader/Manager- a delegative leader/manager allows the team to make the
decision, usually in the form of a consensus. This style is best suited when the team is more
knowledgeable and/or experienced than the leader/manager. A delegative leader will be strong
on autonomy, but lacking in warmth (usually due to a lack of confidence). The most difficult task
will be applying control and demand to an experienced team already comfortable with autonomy.
If it is done properly, the additional control and demand will provide a unique operational focus,
foster creativity, and build morale, leading to a high achievement effort.

FORTY SECOND BOYD

Lessons from the Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War- Col. John R. Boyd, USAF
Increased decentralization throughout command harmonizes the rhythm of the slower strategic
decision cycle with those of the faster tactical decision cycles. If harmonized, an efficient, highly
adaptive and proactive organic whole will emerge to become a superior war fighting organization.
CARRYING THE FIRE
A Basic Media Relations Guide
There will be a time in your emergency services career where you will be responsible for dealing
with the media, whether you are ready or not. It would be easy to say the media are to be handle
by the trained and qualified media-relations staff. In a rapidly changing emergency services
operation, the media has a tendency to come out of no-where and converge on a spot with little
or no notice. If the responsibility falls to you, take heed with the basics of media relations until the
more trained professionals in media relations can replace you.
1. The media people have a job to do and they serve the community by telling the story, so
they can be useful if you maintain a healthy work relationship with them.
2. Establish the ground rules for information access early and in a positive way.
3. Remember there is no such thing as off the record, so resist the temptation to be candid
with the media.
4. Always remember you represent your organization while in the presence of the media, so
project the most positive and influential image you can. That will be the perception the
media will portray you as to their audience.
5. Express your willingness to help the media get what they need to tell your story and help
your organization out.
6. Establish a designated media area away from the area of operations for safety and to
limit any interference with operations.
7. Whatever you report, report it accurately and timely, as long as the information is
appropriate. Do not speculate on anything you cannot verify or which has nothing to do
with your operations.
8. If you make a commitment to the media, write it down and fulfill your obligation when you
can.
9. Always respect the confidentiality and personal rights of any victims of the disaster and/or
workers involved in the operation.
10. Pray a trained and qualified media-relations specialist replaces you as soon as possible.
ALCYONEUS NOW
The Disaster Myths and Realities
Myth- disasters bring out the worst in human behavior, with people more concerned with their
own well-being, which causes panic and dissent.
Reality- Although there can be isolated cases of antisocial behavior, a disaster more often than
not brings a majority of the people together helping each other spontaneously and generously.

Myth- the affected population is too stricken and helpless to take responsibility for their own
survival.
Reality- quite contrary to that belief, many people find new strength and resolve following a
disaster, often demonstrating ingenuity in immediate lifesaving situations.
Myth- the best response to a disaster is to send in emergency supplies immediately
Reality- a hasty response that is made on an assumption of need only contributes to the chaos.
Often the shipped supplies are inappropriate, and will consume valuable resources for sorting,
packing and distribution. It is better to wait until the real needs have been assessed.
Myth- the bodies of victims from natural disasters present a public health risk of cholera, typhoid
fever or other plagues-caused epidemic.
Reality- the only diseases of concern are those communicable diseases found in the occasional
carriers who had the disease before they became unfortunate victims, and they present less of a
health risk than when they were alive.
Myth-emergency responders are not needed after the first couple of days.
Reality- there are needs for a disaster stricken community that can go on for well over a year. It
takes an affected family a long time to return to a sense of normalcy. Some people never get
back to a sense of normalcy, particularly if they have lost family or friends, or their homes.
Responders can participate in many activities weeks to months after the disaster.
Myth- things go back to normal within a few weeks for the affected community.
Reality- the effects of a disaster last a long time, with the post disaster response depleting much
of the affected financial and material resources. Successful relief programs are designed with the
expectation of waning interest in the publics mind over time. There will be a need for local
resources to improve as the public loses interest, particularly in the emotional and psychological
care required by survivors of the disaster.
Myth- a survivor of an immediate disaster is considered safe.
Reality- an immediate disaster has the capacity to kill quickly, but survivors can face an even
slower death from hunger, contaminated water, and sometimes criminal predators.
Myth- the best response to a disaster from the outside is to send in rescue teams immediately.
Reality- in most cases, rescue teams from the outside will routinely take between 24-48 hours to
arrive at the disaster site and get organized for an effective response. Meanwhile, statistics have
shown as high as local response teams save 87% of the lives within the first 24 hours.
Myth- the best response for survivors, who have lost everything but the clothes on their backs, is
to provide them with surplus food and clothing.
Reality- studies have shown more often than not the donated surplus of food and clothing are
deemed inappropriate or culturally unacceptable, and will go unused. In most cases food and
clothing are available within a days drive of the disaster site. Purchasing food and clothing locally
is more cost-effective, it ensures the food and appropriate to the survivors tastes and cultural
requirements, and helps rebuild the local economy almost immediately.
Myth- if money is sent, it will most likely not get to where it is needed most.
Reality- the best donation to consider is money through a reputable agency that will ensure 80%
or more will get injected into the local economy (the remainder used for administrative purposes).
Donors have a right and responsibility to ask disaster relief/aid agencies how they will be using
those donations, and what will be done with donations raised in excess of need.

Myth- relief needs are often so intense that almost anyone can arrive on scene to offer help.
Reality- professionals with specialized skills are often needed at a disaster site, but inquiries
should be made to the controlling emergency management center first before travel
arrangements are made. Volunteers with specialized skills, or spontaneous unaffiliated unskilled
volunteers arriving on-site without an emergency management centers prior knowledge can often
do more harm than good and can divert critical resources to deal with the mass of people wanting
emergency response tasks to do to be of service.
Myth- survivors are happy to get away from the destruction and appreciate temporary settlements
or shelter areas.
Reality- victims of a disaster want what every citizen wants; their children in school, going to work
everyday, good health, and their normal lives back as quickly as possible. Locating victims to a
temporary settlement or shelter area should be the last alternative.
(The above information was obtained from the Center for International Disaster Information as
presented by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and that is reality.)
ON SOLID GROUND- Tips for Becoming a Good Ground Team Ground Pounder
Walking Poles
In wilderness search and rescue, there are two things you can be assured of: the terrain likely will
not be level, the path you take will not be straight and without obstructions, and you will likely be
carrying a loaded pack with appropriate rescue equipment. Walking uphill, downhill, over, around
and through obstructions increases the risk of musculoskeletal pain and injury. To alleviate the
loading placed on the back and lower extremities while trekking through the wilderness, a
walking pole is recommended. The use of a walking pole will have an effect of reducing the forces
placed on the lower extremities and reducing muscle activity. In a grant study by the International
Society of Biomechanics, fifteen participants with a total of 60 trials for each participant tested the
use of a walking pole carrying up to 30% of their body weight (in a pack) in wilderness trekking
conditions, and in the same conditions without the use of a walking pole.
During the study, there was a dramatic reduction in measured muscle activity at the joints
(stabilizing the joint) and the power absorptions of those joints (less pain to the joints) with the
use of a walking pole in those wilderness conditions carrying a pack. The results are as follows:
Ankle (muscle activity/joint pain)
Knee (muscle activity/joint pain)
Hip (muscle activity/joint pain)

12%/25% reduction
8%/16% reduction
7%/11% reduction

The conclusion of the study was the reduction of muscle activity and power absorption around the
joints with the use of a walking pole, will reduce the danger of overloading the lower extremity
joints, reduce pain, and reduce the risk of injury.
A good ground pounder may scoff at the thought of using a walking stick, but the study proves
those who choose to do so will last longer in the field with less chance of injury or pain.
CREWS CONTROL
How to Handle an Emergency
As defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an emergency is an unforeseen happening or
state of affairs requiring prompt action. A person cannot know when the next emergency will
arise, the level of physical or mental devastation it will cause, nor the scope of the required
response. If you are faced with an emergency, try these suggested leadership skills:

Calm yourself by breathing slowly and deeply. While breathing, think of the positive
aspects of the emergency response that must get done. In spite of the shock, try to stop
yourself from feeling totally swallowed up by the current situation.

Imagine everyone within your visual distance as a potential ally, and any successful
response will require cooperation with all of your allies working together as a creative
team.

Summarize your current situation as quickly and objectively as possible with available
information.

Obtain as much information as possible from members of the team; what is known, what
is unknown, what is available, and what is needed.

Pull together your team and immediately establish positive goals for the future, no matter
how difficult the situation may seem. You cannot change what happened, but what you
do know could change the present and the future.

Establish a list of specific tasks that need to be completed to meet those goals, and ask
members of your team if any of them feel comfortable in taking on the responsibility.

Assign the tasks to those who have the greatest chance for success.

No matter where you and the team are in the response, never fail to maintain and
motivate them (and yourself) with a positive mental attitude throughout.

THE ACE FACTOR

Common Sense Leadership
New leaders find out quickly being leader is not easy. From a leadership perspective, asking a
follower to do something (particularly a volunteer) is no assurance it will get done. Nor, if the
person does it, there is no guarantee it will get done as you wanted and expected. But, whether
or not the job gets done at all or is completed correctly, the leader will take the fall. There are
plenty of leadership basics that can be learned along the way, but a newly assigned leader needs
to demonstrate an ability to lead right away. Until the leader can attend the seminars, read the
books, and grasp the latest and greatest concepts, there is one form of leadership that can be
applied immediately- common sense leadership.
Here are a few proven and practical common sense guidelines a leader should follow on a routine
basis:

Do as you say you are going to do- keep your word and follow through

Deliver on promises- avoid the high profile verbal description of what you plan to do, and
deliver on what you promised to do (Walk the walk, not talk the talk)

Provide clear instructions- confusing communications with your team will get you
confusing results

Delegate and Follow-Up- whatever task you asked to be completed, verify it was
completed as assigned

Avoid reckless decisions- make a decision, but take enough time to make the right
decision

Remain cautious, but do not be afraid to make a decision- a non-decision can be just as
bad as a reckless decision

Avoid favoritism and encouraging infighting- isolating individuals in a team is a quick way
to foster disloyalty and dissent

Keep negative opinions of team members to yourself- loyalty is a two-way process

SURVIVAL SENSE
Common Sense Survival Rules
1. Before going somewhere always tell someone where you are going and when you plan
on returning.
2. Always wear or take with you the proper clothing and equipment you would need to
survival in the outdoor environment, even if you are just planning on driving and staying
with a vehicle.
3. Take enough food for at least 72 hours of emergency use.
4. When traveling in the wilderness, never go by yourself; buddy up instead.
5. When on your wilderness outing, plan on a return well before dark.
6. Before leaving on your wilderness outing, take a compass and map of the area (know
how to use them), and orient your position to the map before leaving.
7. Carry a survival kit with you at all times.
8. Realize the time to travel in wilderness is about three to four times longer than it would
take to travel the same distance in an urban setting.
9. Tell yourself you can survive the aftermath of any disaster if you maintain a positive
mental attitude.
10. In an extreme emergency, you can last 3 hours without shelter, 3 days without water, and
3 weeks without food, so those are your priorities in order.
11. If you become lost; Stop, Think, Observe, and then Plan. Your Plan should be to stop
where you are and make yourself comfortable with sheltering as soon as possible.
POINT OF CARE
Team Burnout
Closely associated with individual stress and burnout, teams too can suffer burnout. Team
burnout is usually associated with a void in leadership or undue stress within the leadership. Also,
any individual in that team suffering from burnout can have an erosive effect on the rest of the
team. With either situation, if left unchecked, the entire team can soon follow into their own form
of burnout. Team burnout can affect other teams and reach all levels of the organization. The
following is a list of symptoms of a team that is in burnout:

Pessimism- the team appears to be going through the motions, and is doing only what
has to be done, but there is plenty of complaints about what is being done or how the
team is being treated

Apathy- the next stage past pessimism, where the complaints stop because the team has
given up hope for positive change and the team just appears to be going through the
motions, but there is an occasional surprise negative comment at meetings

Lack of initiative- there is no out of the ordinary voluntary actions that seek opportunity for
success or praise, because the team just wants to get the job done and go home

Limited Feedback- at meetings there is general lack of honest and open discussion, with
the leader dominating all topics and the team acting as a submissive choir, and no
solutions ever seem to be reached

Developing inner cliques- as team leadership and bonding disintegrates, small groups of
team members start forming their own small groups for their own protection, leading to
many rumors and behind closed door mini-meetings without leadership in attendance

Adverse reaction to criticism- as a team is breaking down there is an increased quickness

and over reaction to criticism (as long as there has been a history of criticism that had a
balance of positive and negative feedback), and operational criticism is taken too
personally

Perceived (or actual) favoritism- team members begin complaining about how
assignments are being made and to whom or certain members avoiding assignments,
and talks of a good old boy network start surfacing

Team appears to have increased failures and setbacks- this is usually a sign team
members are setting up their leadership for failure with subterfuge and sabotage, usually
because leadership has not provided sufficient support for success (actual or perceived)

Team member absenteeism- the number of team members not showing up for activity is
on the increase, due to a varying combination of feelings including malaise, listlessness,
pessimism, apathy, frustration, repressed anger, and vocal negativity

If your team is showing signs of two or more of the above, it is time to appraise the situation, take
the team off-line and complete a top-down stress level evaluation to see if the team leader or
team members are on the verge of stress-related burnout.
GOING FROM GOOD TO GREAT
Establishing Leadership Authenticity
All new leaders face an internal conflict in finding the correct relationship between self-expression
and the exercise of leadership. Leaders, who can quickly and consistently match words with
deeds, will establish a certain authenticity with followers. A great leader will almost become
obsessed with embodying his or her beliefs within their leadership role. There is no one simple
way to establish and manage authenticity, but there are conscious steps a leader can take to
have others perceive the leader before them.
Identify those things that shaped you-

Search your history and determine what people, places, and events from the past which
formed your values

Spend plenty of time away from the trappings of your leadership role to find those things
you believe in without the rank or title

Step away from routine comfort zones and try new adventures to test your beliefs

As you progress as a leader, ask for feedback and reality checks from close friends,
family and colleagues

Get to know others within your span of leadership-

Find various dimensions within each of your followers by learning more of their life
experiences, families, likes/dislikes, goals, obsessions

Remove barriers separating you with your followers by selectively showing a vulnerability
or weakness that demonstrates your approachability

Honestly demonstrate empathy with your followers by caring about the effort they put into
their job or tasks

Acknowledge the uniqueness you see in each of your followers, so they can validate their
own authenticity

Establish the correct leadership relationship-

Maintain the appropriate distance you need as is required in your understanding of your
leadership role to connect with, or to separate yourself from your followers

Sharpen your cultural understandings and social skills to help detect clues in
relationships that may determine the difference between team success and failure

Try to honor the cultural and belief systems of your followers whenever possible

Learn to develop resilience when your cultural and belief systems do not match those of
your followers

The exercise of leadership is complex, requiring skill and practice. With time, a leader will develop
various roles that can be or must be played in different situations. From an outside perspective it
would appear the leader is different people in different situations. From the perspective of the
followers, if the leader has demonstrated authenticity, the followers will understand and know they
are working with an authentic leader.
DID YOU KNOW?
Coffee Can Be Good for You
There have been more than 19,000 studies investigating the benefits and dangers of coffee
consumption. It has been found coffee has much more going for it than caffeine. Coffee also has
antioxidants, the substances found in tea, fruits, and vegetables, which enhance our overall
health. Coffee also contains a host of antibacterial compounds that protect our bodies from
infection. Coffee has been found to prevent gallstones and reduce the symptoms of Parkinsons
disease (by allowing the release of dopamine into the brain). A recent 10-year European study of
elderly men, revealed those who drank at least three cups of coffee per day maintained better
brain cognitive function. Some studies indicate coffee may: relieve headaches, enhance physical
endurance, protect against cirrhosis of the liver, reduce the risk of colorectal and breast cancer.
The most serious problems occur when there is an excessive intake of coffee greater than 3 cups
per day. Too much coffee can produce serious negative effects:

Worsen osteoporosis, by increasing the excretion of calcium, potassium and magnesium

and other trace minerals
Can cause kidney stones and gout with an increase in uric acid
Worsen type 2 diabetes
Decrease the absorbance of the Vitamin B complexes
Causing an excess of adrenaline, with an associated fatigue and irritability
Worsen hypertension (high blood pressure)
Increase heartburn, acid reflux or aggravation of an existing ulcer
Aggravate heart disease, vascular, and cardiac rhythm conditions

Two cups with a maximum of three cups a day is about right to take advantage of the benefits
coffee can offer. But, it is important to note caffeine can make you nervous and irritable, if you
also consume additional caffeine present in certain energy drinks, colas, tea, chocolate, and

various cold/headache medications. Monitoring your collective caffeine intake and drinking coffee
in moderation is the key.
CHECK IT OUT!
If you are interested in a book, which is an excellent tool for wilderness work in emergency
services, you need to check out this book with a copyright year of 1976. This book may currently
be out of print, but it is well worth the effort to find it. Back in 1976, wilderness and outdoors work
did not have the available equipment we are blessed with today. In fact the most extensive piece
of high-tech equipment discussed in this book is an orienteering compass. Nothing of substance
in the provided information depends on the use of batteries or cell phones. This is one great
common sense approach to working in the wilderness without being enslaved by batteries.
The Outdoorsmans Emergency Manual by Anthony J. Acerrano (ISBN 0-88317-036-1)
Published by Stoeger Publishing Company, distributed by Follett Publishing Company
WORDS OF WISDOM- Coffee Cup Leadership Advice from the Military Pros
Most troops have been over managed and under led.
If your advance is going well, you are probably walking into a trap.
Incoming fire has the right of way.
Follow orders even if they do not seem right at the time. It will only be well after the fact that you
will be able to tell the difference between the good ones and the bad ones. (from an old U.S.
Cavalry saying)
FAMOUS QUOTES
Courage is mastery of fear, not the absence of fear. (Mark Twain)
SUBMISSIONS
Queries, suggestions, and news items are welcome. Please submit to the following addresses:
Mail:

Bruce Marxsen
5231 Topaz Crt.
Lincoln, NE 68516

E-mail:

[email protected]

The next issue of the Emergency Services Hawk will be sent out on or about 15-Apr-2007.
Please have information you would like to be considered in that issue to my attention no later
than 01-Apr-2007.