Dear Berkeley Lab colleagues,

As you know, two separate events occurred yesterday that required emergency responses across the entire Lab. I want to thank you again for your patience and cooperation during this period, which I recognize was challenging for many of you. We are fortunate that ultimately, yesterday’s events were favorably resolved, and that everyone got home safely.

These incidents provide us with a valuable opportunity to understand how the emergency plan could be improved, and we want to take advantage of that. We have already begun a review of our procedures. We would appreciate hearing your feedback and suggestions. What went right? What could we do better in the future?

Please give some thought to lessons learned, and provide feedback in this online form when you get a chance. Your comments will be kept confidential, and will be available only to senior Lab leadership who will review them as a means to help guide future decision-making. You can provide information anonymously or include your contact information.

You, our employees, are our most important asset and your safety is most important to us. I would appreciate your help in improving our emergency response.

Best regards,
Mike

Mike Witherell, Lab Director