When it comes to safety, both the way we prepare for emergencies and the way that we handle them, experience matters. In El Segundo, understanding industry, whether it’s how we build a satellite, how we treat water, or how we refine oil, is integral to planning for and reacting to crises. As a member of the Disaster Council, I’ve seen first-hand our preparation and rehearsal for a full range of critical events. When the pandemic struck, or response was immediate and effective: our Emergency Operation Center sprung into action, our Park Vista planning kept our most sensitive residents safe, and our staff began communicating the rapidly changing public health guidance. When fires swept through Los Angeles, we again responded immediately with our regional disaster planning, launched our strike teams, and prepared to support the victims. And when our refinery’s Isomax caught fire, our response was swift, effective, and ensured there were no injuries and the damage was contained to only one of the eight production units.
Experience matters. In my professional career I’ve prepared countless times for dangerous contingencies, whether with the military, training with FEMA, or in the private sector. Regardless of the environment, it’s critical to understand the nature of the risk.
