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Reservists Support Columbia Emergency Response

2/7/2003
Story Number: NNS030207-08

By Cmdr. Robert Durand, Naval Information Bureau Southwest, Det. 111

FORT WORTH, Texas (NNS) -- As soon as it was reported that space shuttle Columbia had broken up over Texas, what began as a normal training weekend turned into an impromptu support mission for Navy Reserve public affairs units training at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) Fort Worth.

The public affairs officers, journalists and photographer's mates from reserve Naval Information Bureau (NIB) units based in Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado had intended to conduct a routine weekend of training. Several heard the sonic boom of Columbia as it passed overhead at about 8 a.m.

When they learned that Columbia was in trouble and feared lost nearby, they quickly set up a Joint Information Bureau (JIB) in the base public affairs office to respond to queries from the media and the public.

"Our mission is to provide public information for the media and the general public," said Lt. Steve Thompson, a former enlisted journalist who serves as a public affairs officer with the Texas unit. "Getting accurate information out quickly is essential, especially in the first critical hours after an accident, when the potential for speculation, rumor and mis-information becoming 'news' is high."

Across the base, Air Force F-16 fighters from the 301st fighter wing scrambled into the skies toward the presumed crash site in east Texas. Phone calls began pouring into the office from the media and local residents.

"The keys to setting up an effective JIB are organization and coordination," said Lt. Cmdr. Bill Schroeder, a Reservist who has prior JIB experience from his days supporting combat operations in Bosnia. "Quick coordination with other military, federal and state agencies establishes who is in charge and who you need to refer people to."

The JIB contacted authorities from NASA, U.S. Northern Command, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Air Force, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Navy's media information office in Washington.

"Reporters understand that you might not have the information they need or be the one to speak on an issue, but rather than say 'No comment' or 'I don't know,' we can help them by referring them to the proper authorities," said Lt. Cmdr. Liz Wells, executive officer of the Oklahoma-based public affairs unit.

Media calls came from as close as the local television stations and newspapers and from as far away as the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) in England.

"The BBC reporter had checked a map, saw that NAS JRB Fort Worth was the nearest military base and called," said Lt. j.g. Bert Kelly of the Texas unit. "We were able to put him in contact with the 301st Fighter Squadron to get his questions about local air operations answered."

Providing public information to local Texas citizens was an equally important job for the JIB, both directly to those who called and indirectly via the local media.

"Responding to public inquiry is a bit different from talking to the media," said Lt. Cindy Moore, training officer of the Texas unit. "While it was a national event that the whole world was watching, it also was a local emergency. The average citizen doesn't know or care about our bureaucracy or chain of command, they want to call the base and get answers. You need to be ready with some basic facts and the phone numbers of the appropriate local authorities."

As the day progressed, local emergency management operations centers were up and running, and NASA held held several press conferences. The public was getting a steady flow of information from the appropriate officials. By the end of the day, the Fort Worth JIB, which had sprung into existence that morning, was no longer needed.

"I'm proud of their response," said Capt. Jill Votaw, the Texas unit's commanding officer. "Being at the right place at the right time was a coincidence. Knowing what to do, taking the initiative, jumping in and doing it well are a testament to their skill and professionalism."