Apollo 11
Before landing on the lunar surface on July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 was delayed by seemingly inexplicable glitches and readings from its computer system. These errors were eventually discovered to be a result of obsolete programming, accidentally carried over from Apollo 10. While the astronauts landed safely, this oversight nearly caused tragedy.
Using data, assumptions and procedures from the past, when planning for emergencies in the future, is a danger. Allow time at your next emergency planning meeting to question some basics elements. For example: is it sustainable through high staff turnover? Does it incorporate new demographic data on your diverse community? Are new communication options, like texting, included?
“You can never plan the future by the past.” Edmund Burke, 1729 – 1797
