Tragic events provide a catalyst for many things. The lives that are changed and the lasting impacts have rippling effects that change the way we view the world and function within it. I had the misfortune of being part of the 117th Boston Marathon on April 15th, 2013. It was to be my grand completion of 18 months of training and a feather in my cap as I sailed into retirement. The terrible events of that afternoon make those ideas of achievement small. I don’t suppose that the winner of the race thinks much about the win. How does the runner that achieved a personal record feel? Like most people, I presume, their thoughts are with the victims that were killed or injured that day. Now, the field of runners in that marathon will be forever tied together by the horrible events that took place there.
What I will remember, as a result, was not my run, but the incredible actions of the emergency personnel, police, swat teams, bomb squads, the FBI, and the average citizen. This tragic event sparked into action one of the finest displays of team leadership in American history. For the first time since 9/11, a city was attacked and had to respond by helping the victims, securing a large metropolitan area, and conducting an investigation. I heard the bombs explode from two blocks away and it didn’t take long before these public servants were selflessly coming to assist with the chaos. Everywhere you turned were police, ambulances, swat teams, and bomb squads. It was terrifyingly impressive.
For law enforcement, the challenges of interoperability between disciplines on the local, state, and federal level were mitigated by strong leadership. Led by Richard DesLauriers of the Boston division of the FBI, the cohesive unit consisting of, “Boston Police, ATF, Massachusetts State Police, and the more than 30 agencies of the Joint Terrorism Task Force” worked together tirelessly to locate and apprehend the suspects while protecting the citizens of Boston, Cambridge, and Watertown. (Comcowich, 2013). These individual teams and organizations gelled as one large team and had overwhelming success. They effectively communicated amongst each other to secure the city and systematically search the area. They also worked together providing information to the public and media to spread the word about the potential suspects and the possible threat they posed.
The collaboration towards a unified goal led to the capture of the suspects only four days later. FBI director Robert Mueller said, “During this long week, we have seen an extraordinary effort by law enforcement, intelligence, and public safety agencies. These collaborative efforts, with the help and cooperation of the public, resulted in the successful outcome we have seen tonight. The investigation will continue as part of our efforts to seek answers and justice, and there will be no pause in that effort. But tonight, I wish to thank all those who worked so tirelessly throughout the week in the pursuit of safety and justice.”
References:
Comcowich, G. (2013, April 18). Remarks of special agent in charge richard deslauriers at press conference on bombing investigation . Retrieved from http://www.fbi.gov/boston/press-
McCollester, D. (Photographer). (2013, April 18). Swat team and special police units [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://darkroom.baltimoresun.com/2013/04/boston-marathon-explosions/
JONATHAN ANDREW FISHER says
Edward,
The events that took place in Boston on April 15th were tragic and saddening. Being a runner myself I understand the magnitude of this event since it is one of the few remaining marathons that require a qualifying time for most participants. When watching video of the attack the first thing I noticed was the incredible actions and organization of the emergency personnel. If I had to relate this response to a specific theory that we’ve learned about this semester it would be the situational approach to leadership.
The situational approach ties leadership styles to the situation at hand. This results in the following four styles of leadership: directing, coaching, supporting, and delegating. Given the situation, I would imagine that a delegating style was used by leadership since the quick pace of action did not allow for instruction along the way. (Northouse, 2013)
Northouse, P.G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
SAMANTHA BLANCHE KRAMER says
First I’d like to say that I am glad that you are safe and well, and that I am sorry that you were apart of something that horrific.
Second I’d like to commend all of the people, like you, who were there, either participants or spectators who instead of running scared, stepped up and found a way to help.
I saw on ABC news a story of participants running through the finish line and not stopping. Even though they had just completed possibly the most physically taxing thing of their lives, they kept going, to find a way to help.
All of the people who aided the situation, instead of running away, exhibited referent power. It may not be in exactly the textbook definition, but all of these wonderful people should be respected and rewarded.