I went as a servant, not a Messiah   Committee Chair's Reflections July 2002 It was this editor’s privilege to read and digest the hundreds of pages of articulate, perceptive, insightful, thoughtful and sometimes poetic responses to the Disaster Response Committee’s request for after action reports. A first reading offered much information and many useful insights and stories, but the most noticeable element was a certain shared language.  A sample follows: The following describes my feeling right now as I board my flight home: "If you knew what I knew, if you saw what I saw,  then you'd know why I did what I did." Until you have walked in, smelled, tasted, picked up, and carried the remains of fellow officers and firefighters…there will never be words to describe my ministry at the World Trade Center.... The scope of the damage is beyond any word the human language can say. Needless to mention, the whole experience was one of the most profound in my life and one that I will never forget. In reality, I am still processing all the events that happened during that week and in its immediate aftermath. The trip has been a life-changing experience for me.  I feel that I was very fortunate that the Lord chose me to be on the last team to go to Ground Zero. My life will ever be impacted by the sights, smells, and people I encountered. Final Thought: My spiritual life, my ministry, my life has changed. It will never be the same. I often felt it was a privilege to be working with such wonderful folks. I am grateful to the ICPC and its work. It was a privilege to serve. I felt honored to be able to be there. I was very honored to have served. I counted it as a great honor to be able to help. At this journaling point I have no adjective to relay or explain what I have had the privilege and honor of doing these past eighy days. Expressions such as: “Words cannot express…” “This was a life changing experience…” and “It was a privilege and honor….” echo throughout pages of all the reports. They reflect the consistent pattern of high morale, deep commitment to ministry, and a generosity of spirit that characterized those members of the ICPC who responded to the needs of their fellow Americans in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. I hope those members who responded with after action reports will recognize their own thoughts. All the findings are taken directly from the reports and are not the creative work of the editor. To protect the confidentiality of responders no attribution is given; however, credit for the content of the following questions is to be given to the men and women of the ICPC who filed their reports.   -- Chaplain Wayne R. Whitelock. QUESTIONNAIRE FOR ICPC MEMBERS The following questions are intended to focus issues highlighted by the after action reports. Your responses will inform our recommendation to the Board of Directors at the 2003 Annual Training Seminar, July 13-18, in Spokane, WA. Please return to: WRWhitelock@aol.com  or use snailmail: Chaplain Wayne Whitelock P.O. Box 200 Calais, VT 05648-0200 Question #1: Should the ICPC develop and adopt of a set of Standing Operating Procedures and policies that cover the work of the Disaster Response Committee, the allocation of finances, the credentialing and deployment of ICPC members at times of qualifying incidents, and the support, supervision, review, and evaluation of ICPC members when so deployed? If so, consider the following topics as a discussion starter. Evaluation. and performance of uniformity conduct, code ministry, standards procedures, administrative organizational, personnel, operational, Standardize qualification criteria, selection, and activation of members. Provide for ICPC on-site command and coordination of ICPC members. Integrate ICPC services with other responders (ARC, SA, NOVA, etc.). Establish authority for the provision of transportation, housing, food, and supplies as needed within clearly defined limits and conditions. Identify and train a cadre of certified coordinators to provide on-site administrative coordination and supervision. Secure communications resources appropriate to the needs of the disaster services being provided, the location, conditions, and numbers of personnel. Mandate appropriate briefing, debriefing, self care, and after care for the responding member and his or her family.   Question #2:  Is the ICPC responsible for the actions of its members when they are deployed by the ICPC?  Should the ICPC carry error and omissions coverage (Liability Insurance) to indemnify itself against the actions of its members?   Question #3:  If members, when deployed, violate established standards of ministry or the code of conduct, will such infractions be referred to the Ethics Committee for adjudication and enforcement?  If so, what procedural elements need to be delineated?   Question #4:  What sanctions, if any, are to be brought against those ICPC members who self-activate in violation of ICPC policies and standards?   Question #5: Most respondents felt their training and experience was adequate for their tasks.  Of course the underlying thought was: “Can any training truly be adequate for such a series of events as these?”  Many responses highlighted those experiences or training opportunities that provided for flexibility -- the ability to adjust quickly to changing, fluid, and unpredictable conditions and demands.  CISM and previous Military/Police/Fire experience was highly valued. What should be the training and experience standards to determine Disaster Certification if such a status is to be established?   Question #6: Should the ICPC develop appropriate interfaith (Multi-Faith) generic information and resources for use in disaster settings such as a brief field manual highlighting the essential elements of belief, practice, and customs of all major faith groups.   Question #7:  What public relations activities should the ICPC employ as part of its disaster response plan?   Question #8:  Should a disaster response personnel evaluation system be created to review performance appraisals, maintain service records, and revalidate certifications of pre-qualified, registered individuals identified as certified disaster responders?   Question #9: Who should draft Performance and Conduct Standards?  What coordination will need to be done before this is attempted?   Question #10: Should ICPC disaster identification be standardized? A badge?   Question #11:  How do we control the use of news articles, pictures, and web sites to raise money or public status for one’s personal causes, missions, or church, on the basis of having participated in a disaster relief activity under the jurisdiction of the ICPC?  Or do we?   Question #12:  Profanity, intoxication, and sexual harassment on the job at a disaster site – what are our procedures, policies, and requirements for  reporting and documentation?    Question # 13:  What special resources, information, materials, or training should the ICPC develop in order to support and improve its ministry to children and youth who are involved in disasters?   Question #14:  Acceptance of cash donations or “in kind” gift by disaster personnel -- some organizations have absolute no, no’s about this.  Should we?   Question #15:  There was confusion about wearing ICPC identification, badges, caps, shirts, jackets, etc. when working for another agency such as the ARC.  Should dress codes and conditions of employment be made a necessary part of disaster response?   Question #16:  Communications are critical for disaster responders. How can the ICPC foster the use of cell phones, the Internet, and calling cards to help chaplains keep in touch with each other, their supervisors, clients, and with home?   Question #17:  Preparing for a disaster and what to pack for a disaster -- what one should do and take with them when responding to a disaster -- should we prepare a handout and put it on the web site?   Question #18:  What should our response be to those who fail to see the necessity of ecumenical, inter-denominational, and interfaith sensitivity as a part of cross cultural respect and tolerance in the ministry of presence?   Question # 19:  Should the ICPC require or recommend specific vaccinations, immunizations, or prophylactic procedures. Is the ICPC liable if members are injured on site at a disaster?  Should the Disaster Committee develop a list of debilitating diseases or disqualifying conditions by which to screen members for activation, and require an examination?   Question # 20:  How can the ICPC best provide an on-site ICPC supervisor/ coordinator whenever ICPC personnel are reporting to another agency or jurisdiction?   Question # 21: Should the ICPC establish a separate disaster response fund to assist those who have out of pocket expenses when responding at the request of the ICPC? Summary Statement Any reading of these ICPC after action reports leaves the intense impact of deep commitment to human needs, selfless compassion, sensitivity, service, and profound humanitarian devotion and faith on the parts of our responding members.  At the same time one is acutely aware of the professional, disciplined, and realistic ability of each responder to reflect on the work and examine it for areas of improvement and development to stand better equipped for future challenges. Issues relating to organizational structure, credentials and identification, coordination with other response agencies, and accountability were focused and examined through the recounting of personal experiences.  Procedures and protocols were challenged. Evolving tasks and future needs were identified. The first, and also the most lasting, impression that is written upon the mind and heart of the reader however is the universal sense of gratitude and celebration on the part of the responders for the gift of having been able to come to the aid of their fellow citizens in this time of national grief and pain. Their words in the preface give ample testimony to this reality. Their actions give witness to their words. It is now our task to take their gifts to us, born of experience, sacrifice, and reflection, and honor them with our continuing commitment to disaster response. Of course all of us were acutely aware that we were participating in some small way in a historic event and ministering to men and women who were living in a particularly dangerous, lonely and tragic world on site at the WTC. Tragedy and loss were all about us. The time spent there and the service we rendered there has combined for me into one of the most memorable events of my life. I was honored to be a small (very small) part of the total picture. I hope that I might have done some good for someone while I was there. But just knowing that I tried is enough for me. That is all I believe needs saying.”  Finis - After-Action Report If you have not filed an After-Action Report yet, please do so.  These reports will constitute the archival record of the ICPC’s response. Your After-Action Report should follow this format and contain the requested information: International Conference of Police Chaplains Committee on Disaster Response ICPC Member After-Action Narrative Report and Evaluation E-mail version – MSWord Attachment Your Name, Address, Telephone and E-mail:   Part I - Assignment Location of Assignment:      _________________________________________________ Duty or Position Designation:      _________________________________________________ Total Number of Days: ________________________________ Report Date: ________________________________________   Detach Date: _______________________________________ Number of Travel days: _______________________________ Mode of Travel: ______________________________________   Part II- Narrative Descriptions The Disaster:  Briefly describe the nature, scope, and magnitude of the event from your perspective. Disaster Activities:  Describe the activities and services you performed, the location and conditions under which you worked, and the persons served. What other Disaster/Relief agencies or care providers were present? Describe coordination procedures and any examples of jurisdictional considerations or problems. Personnel Utilization:  Review the adequacy of your training and site supervision including: administrative structure, communication, appropriateness of assigned duties, accountability, duty schedules and crew rest, objectives, performance reviews, staff meetings, etc. Significant or Unusual Factors:  Describe events, issues, conditions, needs, or personnel that had significant, unusual, or unique influence on your performance, perspective, or effectiveness. Staff Support:  Review issues including: housing: food, transportation, expenses, leave of absence from employer, literature, distinctive clothing, protective equipment, communications equipment, mail, personal medications, personal care, health issues, injuries, etc. Briefing/Debriefing:  Review adequacy of information, directions, or guidance given prior to assignment and effectiveness of exit interviews, CISM, or peer support debriefing procedures. Part III - Analysis Recommendations for Future Study or Action:  Provide feedback that will improve training, activation, coordination, utilization, logistics, debriefing, etc. for future disaster responses. Passionate Concerns:  Was there something in this experience that left a lasting impact that you feel must be addressed, changed, prepared for, or removed from future disaster responses? Attachments:  Include any articles, forms, reports, handouts, etc. that you would like to share. Please return to: WRWhitelock@aol.com  or use snailmail: Chaplain Wayne Whitelock P.O. Box 200 Calais, VT 05648-0200