The last major hazardous material accident occurred in July 2013 in the Quebec, Canada city known as Lac-Megantic. An unattended 74-car freight train carrying crude oil derailed, causing loss of life and property damage. The event sparked an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, resulting in numerous recommendations aimed at the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA).
In my Medical and Public Health Emergency Management course, we studied the events of this accident, the repercussions for first responders, and the impact that it had on transportation regulations today. I would not have guessed that in just a few short months, I would be working on an audit team investigating PHMSA’s responsiveness to mandating regulations, such as those coming from the Lac-Megantic rail accident.
Working with an audit team at DOT has been a fun, challenging, and rewarding experience. I have been able to utilize the professional competencies taught through the PAF program to enhance my work as an auditor. Auditors are continuously dealing with ambiguity and learning on the fly. Our job relies on our ability to take in new information and formulate questions quickly based on new details. Audits start with a framework but then wind along a road complete with twists and turns. I have learned through this process how thinking creatively and working with a diverse team is crucial to the success of an audit. This job has also taught me how to pay closer attention to detail, one of my weaknesses in the workplace.
In addition to working hard, I have had the opportunity to meet numerous leading political strategists, front line political reporters, as well as sitting and retired members of Congress through my summer course “Running for Office.” This summer has been an adventure of stepping out and trying new things, and it has made me excited for the year to come!