Hello Everyone,
Last March 12th and 13th I had the pleasure to host our NAFTO Management class in Elyria, Ohio. On the morning of the 13th, the Ohio Governor began to enact serious restrictions on public gatherings, schools and business as an early reaction to their state’s growing Covid-19 epidemic. We wrapped up another great class with so many great law enforcement professionals and began our trips home. Little did we know how much our lives would change in just two short weeks.
A few days ago, NAFTO received a message via our website. One of our members was inquiring about how Field Training Programs across the country were reacting to the growing Covid-19 concerns and restrictions. Training Coordinator, Graham Tinius is currently collecting responses from a variety of different sources. Pres. Paul Hasselberger will soon author a response.
This website question was very similar to a conversation I was having with my teenage kids just a day prior. We were talking about the various response Americans have had to our current and very strange lifestyle. So much of our day-to-day lives have been turned upside down. During our talk, my thoughts went to a time in history when Americans were face with great change and uncertainty. Between the years of 1929 and 1945 our great nation went through the Great Depression and WWII. How our nation reacted to that adversity is well documented in history. The collective group of Americans from that era have come to be known as the Greatest Generation.
We are presently faced with another historical moment of great adversity. Much like the Traditionalists that came before us, our response to this adversity will one day define us.
I’m looking forward to what Graham and Paul put together and how NAFTO members and their FTO programs are adjusting across the country. However, I am even more interested in how we all respond and emerge on the other side of this epidemic. My guess is that law enforcement professionals will lead the way to a positive outcome.
Stay Safe & Stay Healthy
Dan Greene