Last Post

Well, here I am, my journey is drawing to a close, with just over 24 hours left in Boston.
Tuesday saw me return to the airport, to meet Richard Walsh and Matthew Brelis, who head up the Media Relations Department at Massport, Boston Airport.
It was a very sucessful meeting, and Matthew and Richard talked me through Media Management at the airport, the use of Media following major incidents, and the use of 'Social Media', which Richard described as 'Humanising your organisation'.
I left the Airport and travelled by a bus, that turned into a subway train, to the other side of the river to meet with Bob Wortman, the Chief Emergency Services Officer of the American Red Cross.  This too was a very interesting and succesful meeting.  We spoke in depth about Bob's experience during Hurricane Katrina, and his experiences at the New Jersey family Assistance Center following 9/11.
Wednesday saw me head off the Boston Police Headquarters to meet with the Chief of Uniform Officers William Evans, and his Deputy Darrin Greeley.  Yet again, a fantastic warm greeting from the department. William and Darrin gave me agreat insight into their own experiences and those of the Department.  We also spoke of recent exercises, and lessons learnt.   Darrin also kindly gave me a tour of the 911 incoming calls department (pic below) and the Despatch Department, which was most interesting and informative.  They even have cameras that sense gunshots, and turn to face the direction the shots were fired, in order to try and catch the culprit!
I then met Daniel Coleman, from the Intelligence Center, and he also shared his experiences, and talked me through intelligence gathering.  We spoke in detail about London's own Project Argus and Project Griffin.

Thursday saw my return to the HQ, where I met the head of Boston Police, Daniel Linskey.  Daniel is a truly remarkable character, who's knowledge is amazing.  We spoke for an hour and a half about Boston Police procedures, and emergency management.
After Daniel, came my last meeting of the trip, Brian Fleming.  Brian heads up the Peer Support and Family Assistance Unit's.  This was a very emotional meeting.  Brian talked me through problems that Officers may suffer following critical incidents and the support he and his team offer.  The support is second to none, and the team, although hard working, are definatley seeing results from the work they are doing.
I was showered with gifts from Boston PD, and need to find room in my suitcase to bring them all home!

So there it is, the end of a 6 week journey.  My journey has been amazing, it still doesn't feel real! i think the main thing that will always stay with me is the amazing, humble, kind and knowledgeable people I have met. I will never forget them, and would like to thank each and every one for making my journey so informatinve and amazing.

Thank you to you all.

Bob from the Red Cross

Boston PD Memorial to Officers lost.........

Darrin and the Supervisor of the 911 received calls

Yours truly and the Big Boss!

BOSTON!

Well here I am in Boston.  My first thought on arrival was how tiny it all seemed! It was like arriving in Toy Town after a month in NYC!!
After settling into the lovely apartment (very central and large, and widescreen on demand TV!) I set out to explore! Some noodles later and an early night was in store.  Saturday I took a Duck tour of Boston, half river, half road and totally brilliant!  Sunday shopping, and then a trip to the Top of the Hub, the largest building in Boston!
Monday saw me heading to the airport, not to come home, but to meet with the amazing staff.  The two planes that hit the Towers on that terrible day took off from Boston, and it was clear to see that the community had been deeply affected by this.  I met with Betty Desrosiers,Director of Aviation Planning and Strategy and Stewart Dalzell, Deputy Director of Environmental Planning and Permitting.  Aside from their day jobs Betty and Stewart also developed a Family Assistance Centre Plan in the late 90's.  The plan was to look at how families of those affected by an air accident at The Airport could have their needs met.  They tested the plan in September 2000, with local acting students playing the part of families.  A year later they put the plan into action for real, but this time it was no accident.  Families arrived at the airport shortly after the attacks, and the airport staff (mainly volunteers), sprung into action immediately.  The plan had earmarked the Hilton Hotel as a safe place for families, away from media attention and somewhere safe and secure.  The Hilton staff were amazing, and the care the families recieved in their darkest time was second to none.  I felt extremely overwhelmed by the dedication of these people, whose only thought on the weeks following the attacks was for the bereaved.
Next up was Bob Donahue, Fire Chief of the airport.  Bob was instrumental in ensuring the plan for families was written, and worked.  His own experience of that day was extremely moving, and the passion for helping others was clear to see.
I then met with Ed Freni, Director of Aviation for the Airport.  Once again, the view took my breath away! But then on to more serious things.  Ed actually set the Strategy for the airport response and the recovery, and it was fascinating to meet such a strategic thinker, with so much experience of dealing with incidents.  Ed started out as Cabin Crew Supervisor, and now commands the response to huge aviation incidents.  (Photo below). My lasting memory of that meeting will be seeing Ed's actual copy of the passenger manifest, with the terrorists names ringed, and his cabin crew friends named so soon after.  He lost many friends that day, and yet pushed his own emotions aside to ensure the safety, security and dignity of the airport community.
I then visited the Boston Airport Memorial.  A memorial to all of those on board the two planes (picture below).
Tomorrow brings more airport visits, and then American Red Cross in the afternoon. 
More soon!