Personal Crisis Management Protocol

On April 27, 2011, I found myself in a basement closet with a mattress. I had spoken earlier with both our children – college students, making sure they understood their institutions’ weather policies and plans, when the phone rang. Suitemates of our daughter wanted to head into downtown Atlanta, in spite of the tornado warnings, and our daughter wanted to know what to do. After I helped her create a plan of action, my phone rang again. It was my spouse, who was attending a conference in Columbus, Georgia, calling to ask if I was watching the premier of The Voice. With as much restraint as possible I replied, “No. I am in the basement closet staying in communication with our children since both their campuses and your home in Rome, Georgia are under a tornado warning. Have you not been keeping up with the weather?” That day, there were 199 tornado strikes devastating areas in several states. One struck the main road to our subdivision, leaving a vivid reminder of nature’s power and wrath.

In retrospect, I was probably a bit harsh with my spouse. I am not sure if my harshness was due to the anxiety in our children’s voices, my wondering what step one post-tornado would be, or my spouse’s ability to be clueless. One thing it definitely was not due to, was fear for our children’s safety. Both children attended excellent institutions. I knew their safety plans. They knew their safety plans. In reminding them that their institutions had action plans for storms, I was able to decrease their anxiety and empower them each to be a leader for their peers.

This week we have been anticipating a major storm. Just like in previous crises, our crisis management team (CMT) met multiple times. Our director of safety and security was in communication with, and remains in communication with, city officials. Appropriate teams continue to meet. Knowledgeable, wise, critical-thinking individuals activated protocol, weighed facts and threat level, and made informed decisions.

What do you do when crisis interrupts life? What is your crisis management protocol? What informs your action plans? From what do you draw strength and confidence when the world seems to be falling apart?

As you consider these questions, know that University of Lynchburg provides many resources to assist you in your discernment. Our library has a plethora of published resources chronicling the journey of others seeking answers to these same questions. Our counseling center has staff trained to empower folks as they navigate life. Our office of student development has staff trained to engage students in exploration. Our spiritual life center has staff trained to assist in navigating the spiritual nuances of crisis.

What this week has taught us once again is that crisis interrupts life. Once again, we made informed decisions as a university. What I also hope this week taught us is to insist that knowledge, wisdom, and critical thinking inform decisions. Facts, threat level and safety must be a part of the equation, but so should who we are and what we believe.

May our quest to discover our personal “crisis management protocol” be one of intentionality and purpose as we continue to be who we are designed to be,

Katrina