NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — I was impressed. And thankful. And dismayed.
Those are words that describe my feeling concerning the gas leak that occurred near the school campus last week which forced evacuation of hundreds of children from the classes.
I was impressed the resulting reaction and response proceeded methodically and quickly.
And I was thankful. Thankful that not only no explosion, no blaze or other catastrophic event complicated the situation. That no injuries occurred. That, in spite of the heat and unpleasantness of the situation, regular work and concern by Source Gas employees was professional and caring.
◊That Gravette’s fire department, emergency personnel and police department responded quickly and professionally, which helped prevent traffic and other logistics problems that can so often complicate and worsen a situation.
◊That school personnel acted with professionalism in preventing a panic among young children as they responded immediately in overseeing hundreds of youngsters in cramped, uncomfortable surroundings.
◊That most parents, generally, realized that what could have been chaotic was handled well and that they, anxious parents, were secure in knowing their children were in safe hands.
Which brings us to the last word: dismayed.
It was dismaying, and yet understandable, that a few can become frantic and lose sense of reason, which results in saying and doing things they wouldn’t normally do. It is understandable.
But this experience should and can help us all realize that what may seem to be glitches on the surface can be explained with the knowledge that absolutely no one involved wantedany of the several-hour-long event to happen, and during that time everyone involved was putting the children and their safety first. Reviewing the episode should make us all aware that this was the driving force for everyone concerned. To suggest otherwise is unthinkable.
But there is another area that is somewhat dismaying: the subsequent reaction and questioning by at least some of the media with words that appeared to degrade the reputation of the school and its employees. To suggest in words that question and hint there might be negligence and problems does nothing except cause animosity while fanning flames that should be depressed.
Finally, there is another group which needs thanking: the children. They behaved in ways that can be an example for all adults. They accepted the situation, the resulting conditions and the uncertainty which can occur when normalcy is disrupted. They responded in an exemplary manner. That’s a lesson for all of us.
Dodie Evans is editor emeritus of the Westside Eagle Observer. He can be reached at [email protected].
Opinion, Pages 6 on 09/12/2012