Critical Incident Leadership: Fairleigh Dickinson University

On Wednesday, June 12, 2013, I attended a symposium at Fairleigh Dickinson University at the request of Assistant Professor Joseph A. Devine, Ed.D. The event was titled Superstorm Sandy Critical Incident Debriefing: Lessons Learned in Disaster Response and Recovery.

As Dr. Devine noted in the event agenda, "our ultimate goal is to identify strengths and weaknesses so that we may stand stronger against future natural or man-made disasters...The 9/11 Commission Report articulated that 'the 9/11 attacks revealed four kinds of failures: in imagination, policy, capabilities and management.' With that as our foundation it is our ethical and professional responsibility to learn, to adapt and to prepare."

Fairleigh Dickinson University is to be commended for this extraordinary community event, and the leadership of Dr. Devine as the planning committee chairperson, deserves particular recognition. Over 200 law enforcement, emergency management, public utilities, military, health care, private security and company representatives benefited from the program.

As colleagues dedicated to leadership and crisis planning, it has been my privilege to be associated with Dr. Devine on other initiatives including my guest lectures at the United States Military Academy and numerous leadership classes including:

Leadership Plus: Professionals Dedicated to Character

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"Yes, we did produce a near-perfect republic.

But will they keep it?

Or will they, in the enjoyment of plenty, lose the memory of freedom?

Material abundance without character is the path of destruction."
— Thomas Jefferson

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The Leadership Plus master level class at Fairleigh Dickinson University met on Saturday, February 7, 2009 for discussion on my presentation titled Reawakening the Heart of America: Leadership, Vigilance, Collaboration.

AGENDA

• Why Are We Here?
  • Education: Essential to the Preservation of Liberty
    
  • Foundations of Leadership
• Contemporary Concerns
  • Crisis of Leadership
    
  • Culture of Violence
    
  • Shattered Communities
    
  • Filling the Void
• The ALTRUISM Factor^TM
  
• Principles of Visionary Leadership
  
• Call to Action
  
• American Military Tribute
  
• Conclusion

Participants shared insights on character, violence prevention and leadership that might serve as a launching pad for transforming our nation through our schools, workplaces and communities.

This highly energetic group—under the guidance of Dr. Joseph A. Devine—represents the best of the future of America and is committed to their ongoing education and professional development. Aside from my admiration for each of these professionals, I am humbled that my newest book, Listen To Their Cries, is required reading for the class.

ATTENDEES

Rich Aschenbach New Jersey State Police Sergeant First Class	Kyle Loauwe Morris County Park Police Department Patrolman
Dan Black NJ Department of Transportation Electrical Engineer	Nancy McCollum Continental Airlines Flight Attendant
George Cabral Elizabeth Police Department Patrolman	Cheryl Morrison H.S.B.C. Bank Diversity Manager
Glenn Camuso Newark Police Department Captain	Beverly Natale Atlantic Heath Manager Respiratory
Steven Ciecwicz New Jersey State Police Sergeant First Class	Justin Pisano New Milford Police Department Patrolman
Robert Colaneri Cranford Police Department Lieutenant	Jessica Presco Fairleigh Dickinson University Lead Accounting Clerk
Yolanda Cox Law Firm Diversity Manager	Kenuel Saintyl UPS System Technician
Rich Crosson Chatham Police Department Lieutenant	Alicia Sanchez Port Authority NYNJ Toll Collector
John Dougherty Summit Police Department Lieutenant	John Schanstra Sparta Township Police Department Detective Sergeant
Donna Giannetto Clara Mass Medical Center Nurse Educator	Tammy Smith Verizon Communications Manager
Tanya Hooks DRS Technologies, Inc. Payroll Specialist	Kristine Undertajlo Fairleigh Dickinson University Associate Director
Manilo Irula Randolph Township Police Department Patrol Officer	Mark Vlazny Morris County Biologist
W. Paul Kelly Summit Police Department Deputy Chief	Craig Weber Middletown Police Department Lieutenant
Lissy J. Kunian State of New Jersey QAS	John Yetter Hardyston Township Police Department Patrolman
Christine Lugris Hackensack University Medical Center Respiratory Therapist

READ MORE

The Churchill Centre	Click here to visit site
Leadership, Ethics and Character: Foundations for Transformation	Click here to visit site
Ethical Leadership: Enhance, Enrich, Empower	Click here to visit site
Preparing Young Leaders: The Future of America	Click here to visit site
Spotlight on Dr. Joseph Devine	Click here to visit site