Leaders not shaken by earthquake

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent 8/29/2011

The Chamber After Hours Mixer on Thursday at Fotis was more like a ‘Therapy mixer”. Our business week was interrupted with an earthquake that rocked not only the ground under our feet but our sense of security. As business owners, leaders, and employees we were left with a big question - what to do in the event of an earthquake. Most of the business leaders that I spoke with at the mixer were eager to tell the story of where they were at the time of the big quake. It reminds me of similar milestone moments in my life – the first step on the moon (dating myself), the falling of the Berlin Wall, and the events of 911. The Big Quake was certainly not on the scale of those national events, and yet the quake was the primary conversation on the minds of our business community Thursday night.

Everyone ended their story with a “Thank God that everyone was safe”. The gathering seemed more talkative than usual. It is interesting that a crisis can bring out a greater sense of community. We were all checking on each other and offering to help in person and thru social media after the quake. It was interesting to see how Facebook and Twitter became a conduit for gaining or sharing information.

Sadly, however, some of our businesses lost merchandise and suffered property damage as a result of the quake. Most that I have spoken to have taken this in stride with great resilience. Some with thousands of dollars in losses were cleaned up and opened up as soon as the building inspectors had cleared their building as safe and the streets were reopened.

One of the primary reasons for the quick reopening of the businesses was the response of the Town and the County Administrations and our local emergency services. With each email and communication from the local authorities, it was clear that safety was naturally the top priority. Once the environment was cleared however, they were very focused on getting our businesses back to work.

As a community we often ask what our tax dollars go toward. We see the day to day activities and yet we do not often see the “bench strength” that we have to deliver services in crisis environments. Culpeper is fortunate that our public services were in place and ready when we needed them.

In addition, our volunteer fire and rescue professionals were in place and delivered the services that were critical to our safety. They dedicate countless hours in fund raising in order to have the equipment to protect us and our property in crisis circumstances.

Many Thanks to Mayor Coleman for his leadership, Town Manager Kim Alexander for her quick and progressive decisions, County Administrator Frank Bossio for laying a foundation of preparation, Culpeper County Building Department Director Bob Orr for his countless inspections all hours of the day and night, and the emergency services professionals for their training and dedication to our protection.