By Dr. Randall Cuthbert
Associate Professor, Emergency & Disaster Management at American Public University
Here’s an exercise for you to try: Go into your bathroom, look in the mirror, and ask yourself: Why am I alive?
I frequently ask my students, either through an essay presentation or forum discussion with their classmates, this question about the class they are currently completing: What did you learn? How will you use it?
These are variants on a theme, and answers range from: “I know, and I’m committed to my purpose” to “I don’t know yet, but I haven’t stopped looking.” I’ve never experienced the answer: “I don’t know, and I don’t care. I’ve given up.” I hope that never happens.
Here are some answers from my students:
From a Florida Emergency Manager:
Last week when Erika threatened to come our way here in South Florida, for the first time in over ten years, the community went through a rude wake-up call. Water shelves at the supermarkets were emptied in haste and I think in general people took it seriously.
This continues the process of how, step-by-step through my Masters degree, life has put in front of me these epiphanies that you (Dr. Cuthbert) referred to during (courses I’ve taken with you), the final being the reality of Erika potentially developing as a hurricane. It was a hands-on experience that only a real life situation can provide. I wanted to thank you and the rest of the AMU faculty for providing me the confidence and wherewithal to step up to the plate and serve the communities here in South Florida–including those with limited English and those who live in the city of Doral where I work.One thing is clear in my mind: when communicating risk via press releases, social media, or via producers in Radio or TV, I don’t ask who the person is, nor his or her creed, religion, political inclination, democrat or republican, gay, straight, Cuban, American, Colombian, Venezuelan, pro-life or pro-choice, environmentalist or not, climate change believer or not. It doesn’t matter. When it comes to emergencies, we serve them all.
~N.F.
Another, from a firefighter:
During this year’s fire season, I have seen this (impact on people) first hand. I have been on the Stouts Creek Fire in Oregon, South Complex in California, the Okanogan Complex in Washington, the Colville Complex in Washington, and the Kettle Complex in Washington.
The Okanogan fire is the largest fire in Washington history and has burnt over 300,000 acres, destroyed 195 structures, and cost $18.5 million. The Kettle Complex has burnt 66,000 acres, two structures, and cost $9 million. While it is nearly six times the size of the Colville Complex, the Colville Complex has greatly impacted the local community and has destroyed 18 structures, and a lot of rural farmland and crops.
The reason I mention all of this is because the impact the fire has on the families and communities involved are all similar. While some areas might not have structures destroyed, their businesses and economic future have suffered. Other areas have had their entire lives uprooted, a high cost to them yet the cost is marginal to the local, state, and federal budget and resources.
It is hard to watch a person’s property be destroyed. Even trying to protect it, I can feel and relate to the pain that they are going through.
~J.G.
Neither of these capable public servants would be in a master’s program without online learning. Both of them, in private communication with me, have indicated as much. The generic answer to their search for purpose is that serving humanity in a valuable way gives life meaning.
[Related: Where Did You Learn THAT?]
Could you utilize an online degree program to enhance the good you could do? Yes! Figure out how online learning could help YOU become one of these awesome individuals.
Onward and upward!
About the Author: Dr. Randall Cuthbert is an Associate Professor of Emergency & Disaster Management. He welcomes comments and suggestions for topics to explore in this forum. He can be reached at randall.cuthbert@mycampus.apus.edu
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