The Paradox of Life

When you work in communications, especially government communications, a big portion of what you do revolves around planning.

A part of my day was spent at our alternate emergency operations center on a tabletop training with other partner agencies. Coming into the facility, here are the signs that greeted us.

During my days as a reporter, I lived through Ivan, Charley, Frances and Jeanne on the Treasure Coast where the eye hit our readership area, not once but twice. Although the work was hard, I was lucky in that I didn’t lose a home or a person I loved. It was the summer of hurricanes and somehow, I managed to plan a wedding and got married just a month after the last storm made landfall. I remember being so nervous about another storm hitting us or that our venue, the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel at Florida Southern College, would be end up being damaged.

The wedding was fine and here we are two kids, four cities and six cars later. Instead of reporting on the hurricanes, I am now on the other side helping disseminate life saving information to local constituents and our media. I have been activated twice for hurricanes Matthew and Irma. In 2016, we were semi-activated for the Pulse nightclub tragedy.

I love what I do and have truly found my calling. The year 2011 was a career change turning point for me as I transitioned from being a hardcore journalist to a public servant. Public service is the most fulfilling job I have ever had in my life, but I came in with a learning curve.

I remember a time being somewhat confused during an emergency training and thinking to myself, “what are all of these acronyms and how does everyone know these programs and passwords?”

Like Mr. Rogers said, find the helpers. And, I did. There was a kind person who always made me feel comfortable, even when I was a novice and knew zilch about emergency management. He was always patient and understanding, never standoffish and quick to smile and explain complicated scenarios, even with chaos ensuing around us. Like my father-in-law, he was a Marine. He was not at our training today and I missed his presence. Life is short, and how I wish he was able to enjoy his retirement years with his wife and see his future grandchildren. His funeral was one of the saddest days in my time at Orange County, although the memorial service was beautiful and full of joy and love for him and his family. Because of his heart and love of God, his family and community, I know he is heaven with our Lord.

Today, a newer trainer asked me to slow down so that the rest of the class could catch up. The paradox of life is so ironic.

Here’s to being properly trained by the best of the best, Orange County Emergency Manager Ron Plummer.