Sppt 112114

November 21, 2014

SOUTH POTOMAC PILOT NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR THE NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUTH POTOMAC DEFENSE COMMUNITY

Navy redesigns Amphibious Assault Ship spaces via human systems integration

By Zack Shelby NSASP Public Affairs

Link directly to the NSASP Facebook page on your smart phone

INSIDE:

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Dahlgren Museum Christmas Market Page 2

What do you imagine when you hear the words “designing spaces”?

Fans of a popular television reality program featuring home redecoration might think of transformed home interior spaces.

Navy human systems integration (HSI) engineers at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) Human Performance Lab imagine transformed warship spaces that enable Sailors to achieve optimal performance.

However, the design process does not begin aboard a ship.

It begins at the Human Performance Lab where the Navy ship spaces are designed, redesigned, and transformed.

The WASP Class Amphibious Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) mock-up Combat Information Center (CIC) is a case in point.

“We have a full-scale space analysis effort going on,” said Alex Salunga, NSWCDD Surface Combat

U.S. Navy photo by Zack Shelby

Alex Salunga, Surface Combat Systems Group Lead for the NSWCDD Human Systems Integration Branch, uses a small scale model to explain why certain personnel belong in specific areas.

Systems Group Lead.

The LHD carries 1,200 crew and 1,800 Marines in various detachments.

“After our carriers, the amphibious assault ships are the biggest combatant ships in the Navy,” said Jon Dachos, NSWCDD Com-

mand Center Design Lead.

Some of its other diverse functions include embassy rescues, humanitarian efforts and amphibious assaults.

“It has the largest hospital afloat in the Navy after the two MERCY Class Hos-

pital ships,” said Dachos. “It has a full intensive care unit with 64 patient beds and six operating rooms. An additional 536 beds can be set up in an ‘Overflow Casualty Ward’ as needed. It’s a great ship - very capable. It carries about 40 aircraft.”

The HSI tasking for the LHD mock-up required arranging the Combat Information Center space as optimally as possible to maximize operational effectiveness, said Salunga, adding that it could be done a couple of different ways, including taking a look at how to optimize the work performance for some of the individual watch stations.

“That’s sort of the approach we took,” Salunga said. “The process started out with identifying the watch stations we could focus on and identifying some experienced fleet personnel who could provide feedback.”

Salunga cited surveys, interviews and a tool known as a “doll house” which is a portable layout display, explaining why certain personnel belong in specific areas. Information analyzed in the doll house includes dimensions of the space, amount of consoles within the space, and other important equipment.

“You can start placing

See Integration, Page 3

NSASP welcomes new command master chief

By Zack Shelby NSASP Public Affairs Naval Support Activity South Potomac’s new top enlisted Sailor has only been here at Dahlgren for a few weeks, but she has already made her intentions clear.

“I want to take care of the Sailors and provide support for the tenant commands.

That is my focus,” said Command Master Chief Dee Allen, who comes to NSASP following a two-year tour on the USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) in Norfolk. “I want to continue to improve the relationship with base and the community.”

Allen, who has 27 years of service under her belt, said taking care of Sailors is what she does naturally.

“It’s a passion that I have,” she said.

The only adjustment for her may be going from sea to shore.

“This is my first base tour,” Allen said. “I’ve been at sea forever so this is a different environment for me.

The last five years I’ve been on sea duty so it’s a change of pace for me coming to shore duty, but so far so good. I love the community.

So far everyone has welcomed me with open arms.

I’ve met nothing but outstanding Sailors so far and I hope that continues.”

Allen said she wants to share her experiences with others and help them become successful at what they do and with their professional growth.

“I’ve always known I wanted to be a command master chief,” she said. “I love what I do. Even after 27

years I still get excited about coming to work and helping Sailors.”

Allen cherishes the interaction and influence that her position affords and takes her role seriously.

“It’s just the opportunity that you have to be able to be a part of a Sailor’s life, from professional to personal,” Allen said. “As a command master chief, you do a little bit of everything.” You’re a mom. You’re a dad. You’re a psychologist. You’re a psychiatrist. It’s something I do not take lightly. It’s a very challenging job, but I knew from the time I joined the Navy it was meant for me to be a command master chief.”

No matter which role Allen is fulfilling at any given time, she wants to be a positive influence on the community.

Naval Support Activity South Potomac Command Master Chief Dee Allen “I’m here to help,” she said. “I think the more we communicate the more the

relationships grow so I’m here to assist in any way possible.”

FREE CLASSIFIED ADS FOR MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES E-mail nsasp_pao_dlgr@navy.mil or Call (540) 653-8153

The South Potomac Pilot

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Friday, November 21, 2014

Dahlgren Museum Christmas Market

There was no shortage of the Christmas spirit as more than 2,000 guests visited the Dahlgren Museum German Christmas Market on Saturday.

Guests were treated to live entertainment from local school groups including Dahlgren School (pictured here), a craft fair and children’s activities, German food and beer, a visit from Santa and other holiday activities. Potomac Elementary School took first place in the first Christmas Tree decorating contest. The event raised money for Dahlgren Museum, which is open Saturdays from Noon - 4 p.m.

For more info, visit www.dahlgrenmuseum.org.

Base stages workplace shooting exercise

By Steven Moore JWAC Public Affairs and Zack Shelby NSASP Public Affairs

A workplace shooting drill was held in the three main office buildings comprising the Joint Warfare Analysis Center (JWAC) on Nov. 14 to allow base police, emergency workers and JWAC personnel a chance to practice their response.

A little more than a year ago, the Washington Navy Yard shooting left 13 people dead; the drill at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren featured a lone “disgruntled worker,” simulated gunfire, mass casualties, and medical evacuation of “wounded” employees.

“The purpose of the event was to train for and evaluate Naval Support Activity South Potomac (NSASP) and JWAC’s ability to respond to an active shooter event,” said Ed Patuga, training officer with NSASP N7. “Recent events in the United States and around the world validate the reality of the threat from an active shooter and that it could happen at any given time. Such exercise allows not only the base and its first responders to train for what they need to do if it happens here but for the tenant commands and its employees as well. Actively training and identifying areas of improvement before it happens in real time increase the chance of a more positive outcome for the community.”

EMT personnel arrive on the scene at JWAC and tend to victims during the active shooter exercise on Nov. 14 at JWAC.

U.S. Navy photos by Zack Shelby

Charles Bohannon, anti-terrorism officer for JWAC, played the role of the active shooter during the exercise. He was eventually subdued by Herman Wright, NSASP police, and other members of law enforcement after roaming the halls of JWAC in search of more victims.

Patuga also noted that the exercise was one of the two annual Reliant Series requirements and that there will be more similar exercises in the future, including the Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield Exercise in February.

“This is new to all of us,” said Christina M. Byrd, JWAC’s Director of Security.

“That’s why we’re exercising.”

During the drill, the shooter, who was played by a JWAC employee, roamed through the buildings look-

ing for victims to shoot.

When he encountered anyone, he yelled, “Bang,” or fired a blank pistol. The “victim” then received a card from JWAC’s safety officer indicating whether they had been killed or wounded and was told to lie down to await emergency responders.

Despite receiving advanced notice about the drill and an intercom warning to “shelter in place,” some employees were still caught off guard.

“I thought I heard a noise,” said Jill S. Morrissett.

“I was trying to get to my zone when he came around the corner and I got shot. It was a shock.”

Base police responded to the scene after receiving a scripted 911 call. Yet, except for those police involved in the planning, the first responders did not know the location or timing of the drill, according to Byrd. Also, after arriving

at JWAC, they did not know where the shooter would be located, how many shooters there might be, or how many victims to expect. They had to search the building as if an actual shooter was inside.

Although police used training guns, they still carried their actual firearms just in case there was an actual base emergency during the drill.

“Safety during the drill was absolutely paramount,” said Charles A. Bohannon, JWAC’s antiterrorism officer, who helped coordinate the drill and played the role of the shooter. “The drill scenario had as much realism built into it as safety permits.”

Bohannon planned his route through the JWAC building to ensure he went to every floor. He entered some bathrooms and occasionally pounded on doors to try to get employees to open them.

None did.

“I think the exercise went

very well in terms of conduct and execution by the participants,” said Patuga. “With safety always in mind, we were able to achieve a level of realism that we have not seen in the past. That was made possible by JWAC’s willingness to kick it up a notch and allow us the opportunity to do what we have to do and meet our objectives.”

Patuga added that he hopes to see the other tenant commands at NSA South Potomac follow JWAC’s lead in getting out of its comfort zone and providing more meaningful training to benefit its employees.

“For training to be meaningful and effective, it should be more than just a check in the box,” said Patuga.

He also said there will always be areas for improvement.

“We probably did something wrong if everything went smoothly without a hitch,” said Patuga. “The best time to make mistakes is during an exercise and not in a real time event. The most important thing is being able to fix areas that need improvement so we don’t see it again at the worst possible time.”

To ensure safety, certain ground rules were set in advance by exercise planners.

No physical contact was allowed on anyone’s part, no objects could be thrown at the shooter to hit or distract him, and all communications with

See Shooting, Page 7

The South Potomac Pilot

Friday, November 21, 2014

Commandant’s Corner As we move into the fall and winter months we look forward to the upcoming holidays and our time with family. However, we should take this opportunity to remember that November is Warrior Care Month service wide. This year’s theme, “A show of Strength,” recognizes the fortitude and resiliency that seriously wounded ill and injured Sailors and Coast Guardsmen exhibit during their journey towards recovery. Naval District Washington (NDW) has are several efforts underway to support Warrior Care Month.

A prime example of current efforts within our own region is NDW’s inaugural Wounded Warrior Family Symposium, which took place Nov. 6 at the NSA Bethesda USO. The purpose of the event was to highlight the challenges and triumphs of our own wounded, ill, and injured sailors, coastguardsmen and their families along their road to recovery.

By raising awareness throughout the region we as a military can better support those fellow service members who struggle with day to day duties and activities due to wound, injury or illness.

This year the region’s very own NDW Navy Wounded Warrior seated volleyball team and other select members from the Navy Wounded Warrior Safe Harbor program staff will compete with other Sailors and coast guardsmen at the Pentagon on the 20th of November in a larger inter-service competition held annually. This healthy competition and chance for comradery among our wounded, ill, and injured is important part of the wounded warrior recovery process and provides a sense of pride for many sailors and coastguardsmen in their branch of service.

Every month is Warrior Care Month; November is simply

another time for the services to publically recognize the efforts and success of our wounded warriors. Our region offers support every day and all year round through the professional efforts of medical professionals and our own Fleet and Family Readiness teams. Let’s take a moment to recognize the tremendous efforts made by our wounded warriors and the support personnel behind them to make Warrior Care Month the important time of year that it is.

November is also Native American Heritage Month. Today more than 12,000 Sailors and 1,500 civilians of Native American and Alaska Native heritage serve in the Navy. According to the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs, 565 federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Natives reside in the United States, composed of nearly 4.5 million American Indians and Alaska Natives, or 1.5 percent of the nation’s population. As always, I encourage you to participate in any cultural events at your installation.

In November in particular, let’s reflect and celebrate the cultures, histories and traditions of the indigenous peoples of North America, including parts of Alaska and the island state of Hawaii.

Lastly, November brings the major holiday Thanksgiving, one of the busiest long-distance travel holidays of the year.

Please enjoy your time with family and friends, but employ some risk management. Plan your travel accordingly to avoid rushing, always wear a seatbelt, avoid tired driving, and do not drink and drive. A little bit of risk management will make your Thanksgiving one to remember.

RDML Markham Rich, Commandant, Naval District Washington

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This week in Naval history November 20

1856 – Cmdr. Andrew H. Foote lands at Canton, China, with 287 Sailors and Marines to stop attacks by Chinese on U.S. military and civilians.

1917 – USS Kanawha, Noma and Wakiva sink German sub off France.

1933 – Navy crew (Lt. Cmdr. Thomas G. W. Settle, USN, and Maj. Chester I. Fordney, USMC) sets a world altitude record in balloon (62,237 ft.) in flight into stratosphere.

1943 – Operation Galvanic, under command of Vice Adm. Raymond Spruance, lands Navy, Marine, and Army forces on Tarawa and Makin.

1962 – President John F. Kennedy lifts the Blockade of Cuba.

November 21

1918 – U.S. battleships witness surrender of German High Seas fleet at Rosyth, Firth of Forth, Scotland, to U.S. and British fleets.

November 22

1914 – Title Director of Naval Aeronautics established.

November 23

1940 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt appoints Adm. William D. Leahy as U.S. Ambassador to Vichy France to try to prevent the French fleet and naval bases from falling into German hands.

U.S. Navy photo

1961 – Commissioning of USS Enterprise (CVA(N)-65), the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, at Newport News, Virginia.

November 24

1852 – Commodore Matthew Perry sails from Norfolk, Virginia, to negotiate a treaty with Japan for friendship and commerce.

1964 – USS Princeton (LPH-5) completes 7-days of humanitarian relief to South Vietnam which suffered damage from typhoon and floods.

1969 – HS-4 from USS Hornet (CVS-12) recovers Apollo 12’s all-Navy crew of astronauts, Commanders Richard Gordon, Charles Con-

rad, and Alan Bean, after moon landing by Conrad and Bean.

November 25

1775 – Continental Congress authorizes privateering.

1943 – In Battle of Cape St. George, five destroyers of Destroyer Squadron 23 (Capt. Arleigh Burke) intercept five Japanese destroyers, sinking three and damaging one without suffering any damage.

1961 – Commissioning of USS Enterprise (CVA(N)-65), the first nuclear powered air-

craft carrier, at Newport News, Virginia.

November 26

1847 – Lt. William Lynch in Supply sails from New York to Haifa for an expedition to the River Jordan and the Dead Sea. His group charted the Jordan River from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea and compiled reports of the flora and fauna of the area.

1940 – Sixth and last group of ships involved in Destroyers-for-Bases Agreement transferred to British at Nova Scotia.

Integration: Robust science and technology research and development team Continued from page 1

things and coming up with various layouts,” Salunga said. However, he also cautioned that with nine layout options, everything can’t be depicted on such a small platform.

“You can’t just bring fleet folks into a full-scale mockup like this,” Salunga said.

“It becomes too difficult.

With this (the doll house) platform, you can’t necessarily achieve a variation in floor height from one set of consoles to another. Sometimes, even if it’s a good idea, it gets eliminated because it’s not executable.”

Another tool the HSI branch uses is the Spatial Analysis Link Tool (SALT).

“SALT takes into consideration the relationships

your subject matter experts identified as critical,” Salunga said. “You take those relationships and input the fleet feedback, then the tool is able to rank layouts against each other.”

A consensus from the fleet may rank one proposed layout over another or eliminate one altogether.

“Once we narrow it down to two or three layouts, then we can do a full-scale mockup,” Salunga said. He added that from there, engineers can develop a scenario, bring the fleet in and show them different options. At that point, Sailors engage in a scenario that places them in an environment physically representative of what the CIC looks like. The scenario also sets up representa-

tive situations that prompt Sailors to think about what else they may need and if the layout being considered would support those needs.

“After that, they typically tweak the final layouts, and from that we rescore the layouts,” Salunga said.

“Sometimes there’s a clear winner. Sometimes it’s really close. Throughout the process we keep our stakeholders involved.”

Once the layouts are analyzed, the HSI branch generates a report laying out the process. Salunga said 262 Sailors and Stakeholders participated in the LHD mock-up.

“We protect their identities as part of our process,” he said. “We record data as far as demographics such

as rank and experience to give credence to the process. Once we do that, we formally submit the report along with our recommendation for the layout. Then the sponsor goes to the requirements office - in this case OPNAV (Office of the Chief of Naval Operations) and they’ll officially sign off on the actual layout.

Salunga said the lab can be divided and reconfigured in many different ways.

“Right now we have two full-scale mock-ups - a DDG Flight III and an LHD 2 in our lab,” Salunga said. “We also have a robust science and technology research and development team that looks into different ways they can aid the operator. This could link mental

models to process or display information in the most efficient way for operators to make their decisions. Eliminating human error can be as simple as putting signs up in a particular area to assist the operator in doing or not doing something.”

In addition to the implementation of simple signs, a doll house and SALT, the HSI branch also uses eyetracking technology and lighting measurement, among other techniques.

“We have diverse tools available to support our analysis,” Salunga said. “This lab is an analysis tool. We look at how we can use all of our different assets to provide our warfighters with the best answers. We like to be integrated into the process

as early as possible.”

Once the HSI branch is involved, it leaves virtually no stone unturned. “We’ll look at colors, text sizes, lighting and touch capability,” said Dachos. “We’ll perform task analysis on what the Fleet Sailor needs to do.”

Navy engineers also look at whether information is displayed in the ideal manner for warfighters to accomplish their missions.

“That’s what this amazing lab can do - the whole spectrum of providing for the user’s needs to ensure Fleet operators can effectively use the hardware and software,” Dachos said.

“We’re kind of the glue that integrates the end users with the systems.”

The South Potomac Pilot

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MWR Highlights

Base Happenings

Special Events

Dahlgren Second Tour Thrift Store

Second Tour Thrift Store, a Dahlgren Officers’ Spouses Club volunteer-run organization, offers free uniforms (gently used) for active duty military members are always available on the porch. Store profits are donated back to the community in the form of scholarships for military families who have served at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren and support for local charities serving King George County. The store is located at 722 Sampson Rd. and is open on Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Winter Wonderland Tree Lighting Celebration Holiday Shopping Trip

December 4 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Sampson Circle & Dahlgren Parade Field. Tree lighting and skating fun to be had by all, no matter how big, no matter how small! Join Santa and the carolers for the annual tree lighting at Sampson Circle. Immediately afterwards, head over to the Parade Field for fun on the skating rink, pictures with Santa and hot chocolate! The lighted path will take you to the Youth Center for holiday crafts. For more information, please contact the ITT office at 540-653-8785.

Indian Head

Auto Skills Center

‘Treasures’ Thrift Store Needs Donations!

The Indian Head Thrift Store “Treasures” is open on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The store is located at 12 Strauss Ave. next door to the USO. Donations of gently used items are currently being accepted.

Barbeque truck at IH and Stump Neck

Enjoy delicious T&J Barbeque at NSF Indian Head on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from approximately 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., next to the library, and at the NSF Indian Head Stump Neck Annex on Tuesday, from approximately 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., next to Building 2195.

To publish information on your event or program under “Base Happenings,” contact Andrew Revelos at 540-653-6012 or email andrew.revelos1@navy.mil.

December 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Never changed your oil before? Learn how to perform the most basic maintenance on your vehicle. Regular oil changes will extend the life of your vehicle. Advance registration is preferred, but not required.

Craftech

Civilians - $5; AD, Retired, Reserve, Family Members (E7 - above) $4; AD, Reserve, Family Members (E6 - below) $2.50; Child (6-11) - $2; Child (5 and under) - Free; Tickets for a movie shown in 3-D are an additional $1

Friday, November 21st, 7 p.m. - Dracula Untold, PG-13 Saturday, November 22nd, 7 p.m. - Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day, PG Friday, November 28th, 7 p.m. - The Book of Life 3D*, PG Saturday, November 29th, 4 p.m. - The Book of Life, PG Saturday, November 29th, 7 p.m. - John Wick, R

Half Day, Movie Day

November 25 at 1 p.m. School’s out early! Spend the second half of your day at the theater with a FREE movie!

Santa’s Calling

December 9 - 10 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Send a special message to a child this Christmas from Santa. Operators are standing by at the North Pole phone center to put your child’s name on Santa’s telephone list. Please register at the Youth Center by December 8th.

Beginner’s Lead Stained Glass Class

General Library

December 2 - 23 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. In this four-week, afternoon workshop, learn the basics of lead glass and make your own stained class creation. Cost: $80.00 which includes all materials. Please register by November 25th.

Located in the Mix House

One-on-One Computer Help

Holiday Gifts at Craftech

Winter Sports Organizational Meetings

Price of Shows

Movie Theater

Youth Center

Fitness Center

540-653-7336 Friday and Saturday: 7 p.m. Showings

December 6. Liberty Center Patrons Only: E1- E6 Single/ Unaccompanied Active Duty Military. Liberty is putting together a trip to go to the National Harbor in D.C. to help check names off of that holiday shopping list. For more information and to register, contact the Liberty Center.

Oil Change and Fluids Check Class

In need of holiday gifting ideas? Come by Craftech to see a wide variety of gifts available and services offered. Do you have a gift that you would like personalized? The staff at Craftech will be happy to do personalized engraving or embroidery for you! Call or stop in today.

Dahlgren Movie Theater

Landing will be serving Thanksgiving Dinner at the Liberty Center beginning at 3 p.m. Grab a bite to eat, watch football and spend the holiday with Liberty!

December 2-3 at 11:30 a.m. The intramural basketball league meeting will be held on December 2nd and the meeting for the volleyball tournament will be held on December 3rd. Don’t forget to inquire about the intramural racquetball league as well. All sports begin in January 2015.

General Library

Paws for Reading

2nd Monday of Every Month from 3:45 to 5 p.m. Sign up for your 15 minute appointment to read to and pet a furry friend. Please register at the library, the Friday before, to make your appointment.

Storytime at the Library

Crafternoon - Holiday Ornaments

December 3 at 4 p.m. Children and adults are invited to come to the library to make their own holiday ornaments!

Liberty Center

Thanksgiving Dinner

1st Monday of Every Month, by appointment only. Need help with a certain computer program? Don’t know where to start? Sign up for a 30 minute, one-on-one session at the library, to work on whatever you’d like. Please call on the previous Friday to make an appointment for training on the upcoming Monday.

2nd and 4th Tuesday of Every Month at 10 a.m. Join us at the library every other Tuesday for a story and a craft!

Liberty Center Monday Night Football

November 27 at 3 p.m. Liberty Center Patrons Only: E1- E6 Single/Unaccompanied Active Duty Military. Gray’s

Mondays during Football Season. Join the Liberty Center for all of the Monday night games! Don’t worry, hours will be extended so you won’t miss the last quarter!

NSA South Potomac • Office: 540-653-8153 • 540-284-0129 www.dcmilitary.com/dahlgren The South Potomac Pilot Newspaper is published weekly by Southern Maryland Newspapers and Printing, 7 Industrial Park Drive, Waldorf, Md. 20602, a private company in no way connected with the U.S. Navy, under exclusive written contract with Naval District Washington.

This commercial enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for mem-

bers of the military services. Contents of The South Potomac Pilot are not necessarily the official views of, nor endorsed by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Navy.

The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or Southern Mary-

land Newspapers and Printing of the products or services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a viola-

tion or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected.

Editorial content is edited, prepared, and provided by the Public Affairs Office, NSA South Potomac. News copy should be submitted by noon on Friday to be

considered for the following week’s edition. All material is edited for accuracy, brevity, clarity, and conformity to regulations. To inquire about news copy, call 540-653-8153 or fax The South Potomac Pilot at 540-653-4269. Commercial advertising may be placed with the publisher by calling 301-645-9480.

Capt. Mary Feinberg

Jeron Hayes

Andrew Revelos

Zack Shelby

Breton Helsel and Deirdre Parry

Commanding Officer, NSA South Potomac

Public Affairs Officer, NSA South Potomac

Editor

Staff writer

Copy/layout editors

The South Potomac Pilot

Friday, November 21, 2014

5

Community Notes Dahlgren Jingle Bell Carriage Rides

November and December in downtown Fredericksburg. Bring the whole family to participate in Olde Towne Carriages Most Popular Ride of the year.

Come hop up on our beautifully decorated wagons and indulge in some holiday fun; experience a jingle bell carriage ride, with holiday music, Christmas Popcorn, bring some hot chocolate and warm blankets to snuggle up in. Travel down Caroline Street to see the decorated store windows, past Kenmore Plantation, down Washington Avenue, then wind your way past Fredericksburg’s official Christmas Tree. Ride is approximately one hour long. Cost is per carriage, our small wagon seats 4 adults and the larger wagons seat 6 adults. Cost: $100-$120. For more information, email info@oldtownecarriages.com

ments and chic gifts at this holiday shopping experience spectacular. Shop La Plata for special holiday beauty, health and wellness packages. La Plata’s tops chefs will fill the air with wonderful aromas of sweet treats and tasty desserts! By supporting independently owned shops and restaurants on Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season, you are helping to grow the local economy and build a better neighborhood.

Charles County Holiday Trail - Kris Kringle Market

Dec. 5 from 4- 8 p.m. and Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Charles County Fairgrounds, 8440 Fairgrounds Road, La Plata, Md. Kick off the weekend at the region’s first outdoor Christmas market. Modeled after the famous the Christmas markets in Germany, the Kris Kringle Christmas Market at the Charles County Fair has something for everyone: living na-

The Elf on the Shelf

Nov. 22 from 3 to 4 p.m. at Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 1220 Carl D. Silver Parkway, Fredericksburg.

The Elf on the Shelf: A Holiday Tradition Storytime and Elf Adoption Event. This holiday season, begin a new family tradition - this interactive holiday hideand-seek with Santa’s elf is perfect for children and families of all ages.

Fredericksburg Christmas Parade

Saturday, Dec. 6 at 5:30pm in Downtown Fredericksburg. Come enjoy one of the region’s finest holiday traditions! Floats, costumes, food and fun!

“A Monroe Christmas” Holiday Open House

Dec. 6 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the James Monroe Museum, 908 Charles Street, Fredericksburg. The Holiday Open House is free and includes refreshments. For more information, call (540) 654- 1123.

Weird Science

Dec. 15 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Dorothy Hart Community Center, 408 Canal St., Fredericksburg. Weird and unusual science projects and fun experiments for kids! Sign up for each month or only one...each month a new experiment! Pre-registration required. For more information, email fredprpf@fredericksburgva.gov.

Indian Head CSM presents Kathryn Myers: Transient Epiphanies

November 17 - December 20 at the Collage of Southern Maryland. Gallery Reception: December 4 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Kathryn Myers’ paintings from the past two decades have grown out of a sustained engagement in the art, culture, and religious traditions of India. Through depictions of both sacred and secular spaces, some portrayed as she found them but most assembled through an accumulation of information, the spaces she is drawn to are thick with evidence of history and presence. For more information, visit www.csmd.edu/Arts.

Hearth and Home in Early Maryland

Nov. 28-29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Historic St. Mary’s City, 18751 Hogaboom Lane, St. Mary’s City, Md. Explore the colonial table & discover how Maryland’s first settlers celebrated the end of the harvest season. Help churn butter, shuck beans, grind corn and learn about the many tasks required to cook the family feast over a 17th-century hearth. Discover a Southern Maryland delicacy - stuffed ham. Admission charged. Visitors contributing a non-perishable food item will receive a $1 discount off admission benefiting the Southern Maryland Food Bank. For information, call 240-895-4990 or email info@stmaryscity.org.

Shop La Plata on Small Business Saturday Celebration

Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown La Plata.

Support local businesses and enjoy decorated streets, live performances, prizes, unique ornaments, stocking stuffers, fine jewelry, fashion eyewear, musical instru-

1043011A

tivity, fresh greens, food, music, arts, and plenty of shopping. Cost: $1.

Southern Maryland Marine Aquarium Society Meeting

Dec. 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Charlotte Hall Library.

The Southern Maryland Marine Aquarium Society (SMMAS) is a friendly gathering of folks from all walks of life that share an interest in Marine Aquariums. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or an expert, everyone is welcomed. We have monthly meetings to exchange ideas, discuss current conditions in member’s tanks, share and trade corals, and plan field trips. Our goal is to educate ourselves as well as the general public about the saltwater aquarium hobby and to raise awareness of the delicate reefs we take care of, in and out of our aquariums.

For more information please see the website: www. smmas.org

The South Potomac Pilot

Friday, November 21, 2014

Shooting: Continued from page 2

employees or police were preceded by the announcement: Exercise, Exercise, Exercise. In addition, to prevent anything from getting out of control, it was also possible for participants to call a time out for what Bohannon called a “teachable moment.”

One such student (of sorts) was Randy Feltner, fire captain with the Naval District Washington Fire Department, who worked in the Emergency Operations Center for the first time during an active shooter after having previously worked on the scene during previous exercises.

“For me it was hard because we had just gone through training on working in the EOC and it’s a different mindset than being on the

scene,” Feltner said. “As firemen, we’re on the scene and we’re goal oriented. We’re setting the pace for everything. We’re the doers and we take action. I had to sit back and listen to what they were doing and support them and give them the tools that they needed to finish their goal instead of actually being in the action.”

However, Feltner thought his team performed well during the exercise.

“The biggest thing was that we followed protocol,” he said. “In the drill, all our guys remained safe.

We treated the patients we could treat. It was a drill, but it was as real to life as it could be without having an actual incident. I think a lot of the guys learned from it.”

Feltner said there was positive feedback from evaluators about his team’s performance, but also noted that

there is always room for improvement.

“We can always get better,” he said. Feltner added that they are used to dealing with incidents involving just one or two people instead of the 10 to 15 they had to account for during this active shooter.

“By all accounts we did a good job with our triage and our EMS people, especially for only having six guys on the scene,” he said.

Feltner said it was a big undertaking for his team, but was encouraged that they were able to overcome having limited resources, time and information to tend to fallen victims.

“Regular training helps us protect our base and our people. I want to thank everyone who participated in this drill and especially, the Joint Warfare Analysis Center,” said Capt. Mary Fein-

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The South Potomac Pilot

Friday, November 21, 2014

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