Who Are Your “Parachute Packers”?

By Russ Albano

Occasionally, events take place that shouldn’t. I recently read a story about a Marine fighter pilot who was shot down over Vietnam, bailed out, captured by the North Vietnamese, and spent the next half-dozen years as a prisoner-of-war. After release, and with his wife at his side, Captain Charles Plum toured the country lecturing about his experiences. While at dinner one night, a man approached their table, politely introduced himself, and stated he had been in the audience for Plum’s lecture. He went on to say, in short, he too had also served on the carrier Kitty Hawk.

He said he was extremely elated to see that Captain Plum had survived. He was proud to know that his contribution, although minor and unrecognized, was successful; he was the parachute packer. Parachute packers work in a poorly illuminated and ventilated room five levels below the flight deck. They don’t receive the glory and recognition of the pilots, but their commitment to their job can spell the difference between life and death. Prior to takeoff on what was to be Plum’s last military mission, this man had packed Captain Plum’s parachute. In a play on words, the significance of the actions taken by this “insignificant” person made the difference between Captain Plum floating down to terra firma as opposed to impacting at terminal velocity. Captain Plum’s fate rested on the parachute packer’s actions.

Who are these “parachute packers”? Sometimes, they are easily recognized; they are always there to quickly jump into action to help make what you are doing successful and then quietly slip away before you can say “thanks.” Of course, “Murphy’s law” dictates that this usually occurs when you are still preoccupied with events at hand and you forget to get back to them later to acknowledge their role. The next time the situation presents, there they are ready to jump in with both feet.

Then there is the “Ninja Parachute Packer.” You are in charge of a special operations team, such as a water or cliff rescue unit, and you go the equipment storage locker and find all the equipment has been taken down, shelves wiped down, and equipment neatly restacked in an organized way. No one knows who did it. Have you ever had to create a audio/visual lecture and you get to your office and find copies of related articles sitting on your desk. They fit your need perfectly. And no one knows who took the time to bring them in and leave them for you. Maybe, the inclusion of this material may make a life saving impact on the class or the cliental they deal with.

The San Francisco Fire Department has a Water Rescue Response Team that supplements the coastal lifeguards during working hours, and responds as sole source provider after hours. Melinda “Mindy” Ohler was one of the original members of the team. She was a “parachute packer.” Calling upon her previous experience as a former lifeguard and competitive swimmer, she unconditionally lent her expertise to the team. Although she received her “fifteen minutes of fame” during the filming of a television program “World’s Most Dangerous Beaches,” she was happy to blend into the background.

Along with her other contributions, Mindy’s cheerfulness was always contagious. It was especially helpful on those rough, cold, foggy dismal days at the Ocean Beach in San Francisco, when she would willingly and repeatedly swim out through the breaker line to act as the victim during rescue training. How could anyone complain about the cold and conditions when they saw she was out there taking a beating in the surf, all the while, maintaining her upbeat persona? 

In fire department terminology, Mindy has answered her last alarm. During a fire response, we lost her in an event that shouldn’t have taken place. She was too nice a person to be taken from us. Although she never received the glory or hype of being involved in or personally making a rescue, her contributions have made a difference. There are individuals walking on this earth, alive, because of her unselfish, behind the scenes involvement.

We all know that there is no better feeling than assisting a person in need or saving a life. Next time it happens, and especially if you are the “point person,” stop and think of all those “parachute packers” who were involved in the training and development of your program. They deserve the majority of the credit. Seek them out and let them know how much their contribution impacts what you are doing and how much it personally means to you.  I know I will never again forfeit an opportunity to give a “parachute packer” a pat on the back. I wish it wasn’t too late and I could say “thank you” to Mindy.

---