It’s been educational for me to look back to see how many events of the past are born anew to a new generation. One day this week an event took place about 206 years ago that will change the United States forever when it next occurs.

December 11, 1998 – A Thai Airway’s jetliner crashed into a swamp near the airport of Surat Thani in southern Thailand, killing 101 of 146. One event I have seen a lot more than I expected looking back are the number of airline crashes. I fly on such a regular basis I feel much safer than driving a car, yet accidents do happen. Away from the airport how often is this scenario exercised near you?

December 12, 1917 – A troop train carrying 1,200 soldiers was derailed in the French Alps near Modane, killing an estimated 1,000 of those on board. The death toll was so high the French authorities kept it a state secret for 15 years. Tragic as the loss of life was, I wonder about the wisdom of government authorities in withholding information from those they serve. I’d rather know the good, bad and ugly than be fed a placebo.

December 13, 1916 – An army barracks in the Austrian town of Marmaloda was swept away by an avalanche, taking all 253 men inside away with it. I’m guessing this is rarely exercised outside those near the mountains. On the other hand buildings collapsing under the weight of snow may not be practiced as often as it should be.

December 14, 1991 – A ferry carrying 569 passengers sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Safaga, Egypt, after hitting a coral reef. Over 460 people are believed to have drown. My youngest son is in the United States Coast Guard and we talk often about how people get in trouble with their boats. Running into a stationary object is hard to explain as anything but operator error. As long as there are people operating boats, the Coast Guard will stay in business rescuing them whenever possible.

December 15, 1950 – A ferry in the Korean Strait capsized when a cargo of tangerines shifted in heavy sea. 300 passengers died. I wonder how many people were pulled from the water or washed ashore and were still alive but suffering from hypothermia.  How many hypothermic patients is your agency prepared to manage? I recall one marathon held on the Oregon coast in the spring and the weather was wet and windy. People were dropping like flies due to hypothermia.

December 16, 1811 – A series of earthquakes in the Mississippi valley changed the land levels to such a degree that the Mississippi River started to flow in the opposite direction. Having done a great deal of work on developing plans for organizations related to the New Madrid event, this is a bad one. The United States will have trouble with this one short term and long term.

December 17, 1961 – The Gran Circo Norte-Americano, a Brazilian circus, was set on fire outside the town of Niteroi by a group of youths who had been denied admission. 323 people died in the worst of circus fire of all time.  It’s hard to understand why people do what they do. This reminds me that two juviniles were arrested for setting the fire that recently devastated Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Having a well rehearsed response regardless of what caused an event is critical. There is no excuse anymore that we didn’t think it could happen.

I’m wondering what people will write about the next the New Madrid fault line lets loose? Thoughts.