Risk Management Magazine

There are good reasons why emergency procedures (EPs) are developed, committed to memory and rehearsed before conducting training or combat operations. The moment an emergency occurs is not the time to become creative or develop a better way to handle the situation. As a Type A personality, I have made the mistake of modifying a procedure while in the middle of an emergency and it could have cost me dearly.

There I was, smack in the middle of a range day at the Basic Officer Leaders Course. The day started out normally, with one group of lieutenants and warrants convoying to the range in a HMMWV, and the other group riding in two 5-ton trucks. The HMMWV convoy was always plagued with some “notional” engagements wherever it went, and these things were expected. The 5-ton convoy was usually a great time to rest your eyes for a few minutes.

Last summer, the Pennsylvania State Safety Office conducted an unofficial investigation into recent vehicle mishaps. The reason for these investigations was due to an increase in vehicle mishaps from the previous year. There were as many accidents in a three-month period in 2019 as there were in six months the year prior. It also seemed the accidents are getting more severe.