Tuesday, September 17, 2013

My Day At The Washington Navy Yard

I work at the Washington Navy Yard.  I work across the street from Building 197 where the horrific mass gun murder took place.

Yesterday, I got to work at about 0620--my usual time.  My office is located less than 100 yards away from the atrium where most of the gun murders took place.  We had our daily staff meeting at 0730; one hot button issue and a minor one.  So, I began chasing down the way forward for the major issue.  At about 0820, the fire alarm began to sound.  Fire alarms are not necessarily an unusual thing at the Navy Yard; the Yard is an older facility and workman are always renovating or repairing something and most alarms are accidentally set off by workman.  We'll usually get an announcement shortly after to disregard the alarm.

Yesterday was no different but very much so.

After the initial alarm went off and announcement followed to disregard the alarm.  But shortly after there was an announcement saying there had been a shooting on the fourth floor and that all personnel should seek shelter in an interior office.  I wasn't overly concerned about my safety; I work in a restricted access area so most folks who have access elsewhere can't get in.  We figured it was merely someone going postal on a boss.

I had to conduct emergency musters for people under my supervision and account for their whereabouts.  I soon had accounted for all my folks.  As time passed, the emails grew more ominous--the number of conformed killed rose from 1 to 2 to 4 to 8 to 12.  And we were told there were at least two, possibly three, shooters which implied this wasn't an incident involving a gun crazy having a bad hair day.

The emergency response was fast and overwhelming; virtually every law enforcement was represented in force.  FBI, NCIS, Metropolitan and Capitol Hill Police, NDW Police, Navy MPs, Marine MPs--I'm sure there others.  The small street separating my building from 197 was jammed with ERT vehicles, Tactical carriers, Ambulances, fire trucks.  Overhead circled helicopters which were used to place snipers and ferry away victims.

Continued...

6 comments:

  1. Since you work there--what is your opinion of the allegation that this is a "gun free zone"?

    You pointed out that NCIS is there. I would add that is the HQ of NCIS.

    Saying this is a gun free zone is the equivalent of saying that a police station is a gun free zone.

    People have guns, but not everyone is allowed to possess them.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anybody claiming the WNY is a gun-free zone has a brain-free head.

    Access to the base is controlled by armed NDW (Naval District Washington) police. They are also supplemented by Navy and USMC MPs who may carry either .45s or automatic weapons. Remember, the CNO, as well as several other high ranking Navy Admirals live at the Navy Yard.

    Further, as you point out, NCIS is located on the base. They used to be located in my building but moved to a different building earlier in the year. Many of their people are armed.

    ReplyDelete
  3. How dense are you people? By gun-free zone, we mean private citizens are banned from carrying firearms. The police are always allowed to carry in their jurisdictions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No Greg. By gun free zones we mean places like prisons where no guns are allowed. Your sloppy and convenient use of the language is a disgrace, since you're supposedly an English professor.

      Delete
  4. So Jade, why didn't you just talk to the guy about how you thought his penis was too small? That would have taken care of the problem, right?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now that's the kind of reply we expect from the fake professor NRA dude Greg. Thanks for proving again, that you are nothing but a joke.

      Delete