Beyond the Chaos: 3 Stories of Those Under the Gun During Major Crises

From our colleague, Jim McKay, editor of Emergency Management Magazine:

In this feature, we look at three separate disasters through the lens of someone in command. All three of these emergencies were incredibly tragic and difficult or impossible to predict. Besides the tragedy, these emergency managers share lessons learned, some of which we discuss here.

Frank Patterson was one of the first responders on the scene of the West, Texas, fertilizer plant explosion and took command. He details how he navigated the chaos that night and what was learned.

We talked to John Pennington, director of the Snohomish County, Wash., Department of Emergency Management, whose eyes were forced to believe what he was seeing, and whose decisions helped guide the response and recovery efforts after a horrific mudslide.

Mark Spross directs the 911 center in Clackamas County, Ore. When a gunman opened fire in a local mall, it tied the county in knots. Much has changed ­— and improved —­ because of that day.

For details about the three stories above, click here.