Postmarks Online: News from the Alabama District

Mysteries of the mail revealed to the GBPCC

2012-02-22T16:23:00.001-06:00

The Postal Customer Council is an organization that consists of business mailers large and small and Postal staff. The purpose of the PCC is to support Postal products and initiatives and to foster communication between businesses who use the Postal Service and the USPS. Nationwide, the PCC has 200 groups and 100,000 members.

The Greater Birmingham Postal Customer Council (GBPCC) is a very active group that in 2011 commemorated its 50th year in existence. Last week, they met for a Lunch and Learn at the Birmingham Main Post Office where members were offered a working lunch followed by a tour of the facility.

Before the official start of the meeting, members gathered in the lobby to register for the event and to discuss the many pressing postal issues at hand.

Standing from left to right: LaFain Freeman (The Anniston Star), Wayne Jones(Future Computer Systems), James McDaniels (MailSouth). Sitting from left to right: John Meich (Direct Marketing Consultant), Karen Ash (Pitney Bowes), Greg D'Alessio (Future Computer Systems).

Wayne Jones (Future Computer Systems), USPS Revenue Driver and all-around go-to woman Sandy Scott, Mandy Schlemminger (The Anniston Star), and Greg D'Alessio (Future Computer Systems).

Upstairs, Birmingham Postmaster Mike Allison (l) greeted the group and introduced officers of the GBPCC

What really got everyone's attention was when Alabama District Manager Timothy Costello showed the group the recently available framed Alabama National Championship commemorative envelope. Several orders were placed on the spot.

Then, the members who wanted to go were lead downstairs for a guided tour of the mail processing facility.

After seeing the bulk mail unit, several mail processing machines, and the dock area, Postal Inspector Tony Robinson (who is not in the picture) told the group to look above their heads: hidden behind the murals was the secret catwalk upon which inspectors can watch employees while remaining hidden from their view.

That was to be the last stop on the tour.

Being led single file through the dark and rather spooky passageway was a memorable way to conclude a fun and informative afternoon.

If you would like to learn more about the Postal Customer Council, click here. To accommodate your needs, there are several membership levels available that range from Executive Membership ($100 per year) to General Membership (which is free).

And if you would like more information specifically about the GBPCC, click here.

Dear Abby, how do we stay as safe as you?

2012-02-18T16:45:00.000-06:00

Langston Post Office OIC Wanda Nelson recognized Langston Rural Carrier Abby R. Tyler (right) for 19 years of safe driving. Abby received a Safe Driving Pin and Certificate for 19 years of accident-free rural delivery driving.

Wanda is proud to work with Abby and considers her an asset to the Postal Service and her community.

About Abby, Wanda writes

Abby and her husband Ronnie live in Skyline, AL, where they have 3 children and 3 grandchildren. She began her postal career at Scottsboro as an RCA.

Abby serves her customers in the Langston Community with care and respect. She has been known to go above the call of duty on numerous occasions to make sure that her customers receive the service they deserve.

They all love their "Dear Abby," as she is referred to by many. Abby shows concern for those on her route-- not just as her customers but as someone who really cares about people. She checks on them when they are sick, and at Christmas, she made note of families that were in need and turned their names in to a local church for assistance.

Abby is one of the best carriers I have ever worked with. She is an excellent employee that represents the Postal Service well.

A big thank you to Abby for her dedication, care, and service and to Wanda Nelson for telling us all about her.

Postal poster woman for Heart Health Month

2012-02-17T16:35:00.002-06:00

February is Heart Health Month. West Blockton Rural Carrier Barbara Pope does all that she can to keep hers healthy and strong. That's a good thing, especially because she's got such a big one.

You all remember Barbara from the blog and newsletter last year: she's the amazing person who while on her route rescued the woman in the woods whose throat had been cut by her son-in-law. The man and his accomplice were hiding in the nearby bushes when Barbara came onto the scene.

To revisit the original article, click here.

In her early 50's, Barbara decided to take up distance running. Within a year of beginning to train, she was competing in races to raise money for charity.

Earlier this week, Barbara's husband kindly sent us a recent picture of her.

He wrote:

Barbara Pope Rural Letter Carrier of West Blocton, AL. ran in the Mercedes 1/2 Marathon on Feb. 12, 2012 her finish time was 2hrs 28 min 27sec.

The proceeds from this event went to Kid One.

Congratulations, Barbara. You continue to inspire us all.

Black History Month 2012

2012-02-17T15:49:00.002-06:00

For easier reading, click on the picture.

Reward offered in investigation of attack on postal worker

2012-02-16T12:38:00.004-06:00

from the Anniston Star:
by Cameron Steele

The U.S. Postal Service is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for anyone who has information about the assault of an Anniston letter carrier.

The assault happened between 10:15 and 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 31, when the 50-year-old man was delivering mail on McKleroy Avenue in West Anniston.

Police said the postal worker had pulled up to a mailbox in the 3100 block, when a male suspect jumped into his truck and began to assault him.

The suspect, identified as a man in his mid-20s, first used a stun gun to repeatedly shock the letter carrier and afterward began to beat the victim with his fists, Anniston police Lt. Fred Forsythe said.

The letter carrier fought back and managed to push the suspect out of the truck and drive a short distance away before notifying Anniston EMS, police said.

Emergency workers arrived and transported the victim to Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Anniston investigators for weeks have tried to establish a motive for the crime but have so far been unsuccessful. The suspect did not attempt to steal anything from the postal truck, and there appears to be no connection between the suspect and victim, police said.

Lead investigator Clint Parris called the crime a “random act of violence.” He said the letter carrier was not working his normal mail route on the day of the assault; the victim had been covering the West Anniston route for a coworker.

Now, in an attempt to encourage people who know anything about the crime to speak up, the Postal Service is offering up to $50,000 to anyone who helps lead to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the assault.

So far, police have no other identifying information about the suspect other than a general description of his age.

Residents who have information about the crime should contact the Anniston Police Department’s investigative division at 256-240-4000 or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455, option 2.

Have a heart-healthy Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T17:09:00.001-06:00

February is Heart Health Month. To promote heart health, last week the Central Alabama Inclusiveness and Diversity Advisory Committee invited representatives from The American Heart Association to speak to employees at a Lunch and Learn.

Nurse Lisa Williams spoke to a full house about the importance of both recognizing the warning signs of a heart attack or stroke and of getting help to that person as soon as possible, even if they deny that it's necessary.

"There are about 600,000 heart attacks in America every year, and of those, only 14 or 15% of people survive," said Nurse Williams. "That's why early detection is the key."

If someone is suffering from a heart attack, it is critical that they receive immediate medical care because 85% of the damage to the heart occurs within the first two hours of the onset of a heart attack. "Getting help within the first 90 minutes saves the heart muscle," said Nurse Williams.

Training Specialist Matilda Johnson, center, shared her own recent experience with the group about having suffered from an unexpected stroke. Although it happened to her just last year and she has made a full recovery, she had none of the typical warning signs or contributing health issues prior to that, and the doctors have yet to determine the cause.

The point was that anyone can fall prey to a heart attack or stroke, and that we all need to be ready to recognize the symptoms and seek immediate help for ourselves or our loved ones when such symptoms are displayed.

After the discussion period, attendees were treated to a heart-healthy lunch and were given gift bags and print information.

Pictured above from left to right are Human Resources Specialist Beth Bobulinski who was primarily responsible for arranging the event along with American Heart Association representatives Lisa Williams, Lettessia Bush, and Laura Catherine Mason. Thanks for the wonderfully informative afternoon, and a happy Valentine's Day to all.

Beyond a customer, (above and) beyond customer service

2012-02-13T17:26:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago, tornadoes struck again in Central Alabama. One of the places hit particularly hard was Center Point. Then, we brought you pictures of the post office and of the school across the street, which was destroyed. Click here to revisit that post.

Center Point Elementary School after the storm.

It wasn’t until several days later that we learned about the heroism of two Center Point postal employees that morning.

Immediately following the storm, clerks Sylvia Chwalek and David Lawler left the post office on foot a little after 5 a.m. with only a flashlight to make their way down a dark stretch of what used to be a road.

They were headed towards the home of George Linley, and 84-year-old customer who lives behind the exploded school.

David Lawler and Sylvia Chwalek across from George Linley's house.

Mr. Linley is friendly with both David and Sylvia, but he has a special fondness for Sylvia. “David and I both know him, but he comes in to see me every day,” said Sylvia.

“Every day,” David said.

Sylvia continued. “My husband was his mailman at his house. When Mr. Linley’s wife became ill with Alzheimer’s, he came in and got a p.o. box. Once he got the box, we started seeing him every day. His wife passed away four or five years ago.”

“He brings me a drink and candy every day, and if he’s not coming, he’ll call and tell me that he’s not going to be able to make it,” Sylvia said.

When David arrived at work the morning of the storm, he heard Sylvia discussing Mr. Linley with a co-worker. They knew that he had just gotten out of the hospital after having been there for five weeks and worried that his neighbors were not aware that he was back at home. “His house was right over there. I knew how bad it was, so I said to Sylvia, ‘Let’s go.’”

“I got my flashlight, and we both just took off on down the road,” said David.

The road to Mr. Linley's house a week after the storm. The Center Point Post Office is located in the structure at the top of the hill.

Struggling to avoid downed power lines and trees in the near dark while hearing the hiss of a ruptured gas meter, the two-block trip took them 45 minutes.

“At one point, David said to me, ‘Let me go on,’ because he didn’t want me to get up there and see it all. I said, ‘No, I’m coming.’” Sylvia said. “We couldn’t just walk down the street. We had to go from one side of the street to the other, over and under stuff.”

When they finally arrived, Sylvia banged on the door until he answered. It took him several minutes to answer because it was pitch black inside, and he was weak.

“He was scared,” David said. “He said that he was okay except for his oxygen. There was no place to plug it in.”

It was then that David decided to have Sylvia stay with Mr. Linley while he hiked back up the hill to get help.

Back at the top, he told the firefighter that down the hill was an elderly man who needed immediate medical attention.

“They came with me all the way back down there. They checked him and said, ‘We need to find some oxygen for him.’ They determined that what Mr. Linley had available was only going to last another 45 minutes and said, ‘We need to get him out of here,’” said David.

Four rescue workers carried Mr. Linley up the hill on a chair while David carried their gear and Sylvia stayed close by to comfort Mr. Linley.

“Before we got there, the sun started coming up, and we could see more. I said, ‘How did we even get down here?’” said Sylvia.

Mr. Linley’s two daughters, Debra Linley and Theresa Hall, are rural carriers in Tuscumbia, which is a 2.5 hour drive from Center Point. It was Debra Linley who called to tell us about Sylvia and David.

“David and Sylvia took their lives into their own hands to rescue my father,” said Debra. “His oxygen was down to 70, and fluid had built up around his heart. They saved his life.”

Debra also went on to say that this is not the first thing that Sylvia has done for her father. After Mr. Linley’s wife died, Sylvia always made sure that he was okay. “If Dad didn't get to the post office by a certain time, Sylvia would call and check on him. And she is no relation to us,” said Debra.

“I can’t say enough good things about her and David. They deserve the highest award possible.”

AAA Alabama Travel Show

2012-02-07T16:57:00.002-06:00

Interested in a detail or OIC assignment?

2012-02-06T13:29:00.002-06:00

Heart Healthy Lunch & Learn in Birmingham on 2/7/2012

2012-02-01T16:27:00.003-06:00

Attendance is on a no-loss, no-gain basis. If you plan on attending, please let them know by calling (205) 521-0509.

Send a letter, get a letter in Plantersville

2012-01-30T16:37:00.000-06:00

We thank Montevallo City Carrier Adam Moyes for the following submission and applaud his and his wife's initiative:

My name is Adam Moyes, and I am a City Letter Carrier out of the Montevallo Station.

My wife (Ashley Moyes) is OIC at the Plantersville Office where we live. She had the idea to not only educate but also promote the USPS to our daughter's kindergarten class at JE Terry Elementary School in Plantersville.

We purchased enough stamps and envelopes for the kids to color a mailman she had printed out, and we had the teacher put their addresses on the envelopes. Then, each child got a letter in the mail from a random classmate.

We purchased the Disney stamps, and all the kids were thrilled with them. I showed up in uniform, and my wife and I encouraged them to have their parents help them write a letter to someone in their family. They were amazed to learn how a letter can travel around the country in a matter of days.

Montevallo City Carrier Adam Moyes with kindergarten class at JE Terry Elementary School in Plantersville, Alabama.

Don't our future customers look like they're having a fun afternoon?

Win a letter carrier bobblehead

2012-01-30T08:56:00.003-06:00

Article and picture from Your Postal Blog

We have a box of Letter Carrier bobble heads left over from several years ago.
Here’s your chance to win one.

What does mail mean to you?
Do you have a favorite letter you have kept for years?
Or some favorite greeting cards you’ve kept in a box?
Is there a momentous letter that changed your whole life?

Send your response along with your name and address (so we can send the bobble head) by clicking the link below:Your Postal Blog Bobblehead Giveaway

New employee milestones page

2012-01-27T16:53:00.003-06:00

Have you or a colleague achieved a professional or personal milestone? If so, let us hear all about it.

We've created a new page just for that purpose. You can get there by clicking the Milestones tab, which can be found at the top, far right of the Postmarks home page.

In this case, the word "milestone" will be defined by you. Anniversaries, promotions, retirements, or anything along those lines would be perfect to submit.

Pickel retiring from USPS | The Demopolis Times

2012-01-26T09:47:00.000-06:00

This article about Demopolis Postmaster Buddy Pickel was in Tuesday's The Demopolis Times. He will be missed by many. Please join us in wishing him all of the best in his approaching retirement.

Demopolis Postmaster Buddy Pickel. Picture courtesy of The Demopolis Times.

Pickel retiring from USPS
by Jason Cannon

Buddy Pickel joined the Demopolis Post Office as a carrier fresh off a 30 month stint with the U.S. Air Force. He would spend the next 414 months building his career.

Pickel, who has served as the Demopolis Postmaster since 2006, will retire Feb. 1 and close out a 34 and half year career with USPS that has stretched his commute all over West Alabama.

“I never wanted to move my family,” the Demopolis native said. “We wanted to stay right here.”

Pickel has served as postmaster in five offices and worked in USPS offices in Newbern, Sawyerville, Georgiana, Marion Junction, Marion, Linden, Livingston and Demopolis .

The price of one First Class stamp on Pickel’s first day on the job was 15 cents. Monday, the price went up to 45 cents. But the price of a stamp isn’t the only thing that has changed over the past three-plus decades.

Pickel said automation of the sorting process has had one of the longest and profound effects on mail delivery.

“When I first started, we had seven clerks that sorted the mail,” he said. “Now, we’ve got three. It used to be all done by hand, all right here. Now, it’s done by machine…the mail is already sorted when it gets here.”

With no mail to sort or customers to help a week from today, Pickel said he would spend [sic]....

“I love staying busy,” he said, noting he enjoys working in the yard, hunting and fishing.

“I doubt I’ll stay unemployed. I’ll need something to do.”

Next week, Pickel will hand the keys to the post office to an interim postmaster while the USPS seeks candidates to fill his position.

And as he readies himself to lock his door for the final time, Pickel said he could only offer one piece of advice to whomever follows him.

“Customer service is what it’s all about,” he said. “Just serve the people.”

The tough got going

2012-01-25T16:55:00.000-06:00

Center Point was one of the places in Alabama that was hit hard by Monday's tornado outbreak. Once again, the Center Point Post Office staff proved what a class act they are by doing whatever it took to get our customers their mail when they need it the most.

The Center Point Post Office was damaged in the storm and, as of this morning, there was still no electricity in the building.

This is how the parking lot near the post office looked when we pulled up this morning.

Even though the power was still out and the window was officially closed, everyone worked hard in the near dark to get the mail sorted and the carriers out on the street as early as possible.

The lack of light, the difficulty even getting to the building, and the appearance of being closed did not deter the customers, who were lined up in the lobby. Customer Services Manager Michelle Davis (above) was one of the employees who hustled to answer questions and provide whatever assistance that she could.

Rural Carrier Melinda Jemison skillfully navigated her way through downed trees and power lines, fallen debris, and clean-up crews to deliver on her route.

City Carrier Gena Meadows is awestruck at the devastation that took place at Center Point Elementary School, which is right across the street from the post office. The tornado caused a gas leak at the school, which then resulted in an explosion.

Repeatedly, Center Point Post Office has set the standard for how a post office should function: the large staff works together to serve our customers, keep themselves safe, and watch out for each other.

Restricting facility access: a postal inspector answers your questions

2012-01-23T16:53:00.000-06:00

Recently, Postal Inspector Tony Robinson received a question about what constitutes a security violation in regard to restroom access.
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Since the answers that he provided are relevant to all Postal facilities in Alabama, he shared his explanation with us with the hope that all Alabama USPS employees understand the security regulations and why such policies are necessary.

Q: The post office does not have public restrooms. Where can I find this written, so that I may post this for all of the SSA's to read. Is this not a security violation?

A: Toilets are inside the restricted area of postal facilities and come under “support areas,” not public areas.

AS503 does allow a Contract Driver’s Room in large P&D facilities to provide space and utilities for a commercial telephone, electric water cooler and toilet facility; however, such should designed so that contract drivers are discouraged from direct access to the workroom floor and located so that management can observe drivers. In all other offices, contract drivers are not allowed unfettered access to linger in the workroom area (District Policy sent out last year and the year or two before that).

None of the facilities in Alabama that I have visited have toiletries provided in the public areas. The closest example of two that do is Florence and Decatur, but John Smith will have to go through the US Marshalls to use them on the floors having a federal court room (not likely unless Mr. Smith has court room business to conduct there).

Title 39 Code of Federal Regulations Part 231.1 designates the Chief Postal Inspector as the security officer for the USPS who is responsible for issuing instructions and regulations regarding security. Part 231.2 designates the postmaster or supervisor designated by the postmaster as the security control officer responsible for ensuring that operations are carried out in accordance to rules and regulations set forth by USPIS.

Passport offices are supposed to be conducted in the public accessed areas. I have found a few over the years that were allowing people to go to the workroom area: this should not be happening. The district also sent out a notice regarding passport offices to discontinue such practices.

If we didn’t have such a policy, it would not take much for someone seeking revenge (ie. Ex-boyfriend) to ask to use the restroom only to gain unquestioned access to the workroom floor.

Tony Robinson

Postal Inspector

Alabama District Area I Postmasters sworn in, receive awards

2012-01-18T17:22:00.002-06:00

Last week, Area 1 Postmasters met in Decatur to discuss goals, receive awards, and for the newest additions to their ranks, to be sworn into office.

Alabama District Manager Timothy Costello administering the oath to Postmasters Lonnie Williams, Tasha Salem, Erica Sherman, and Angela Dunaway.

Area 1 MPOO Derick King (left) doled out scores of other awards to members of his team. One of them was to Postmaster Jane Harper of Decatur for her office's high VOE scores.

Killen Postmaster Rita Moore was commended for her office having the best VOE scores in Area 1 for 2011.

The Postmasters in this group received awards for their offices having scored !00% on the Wait Time in Line indicator. From left to right: MPOO Derick King, Gary Beams (Athens), Mary Jo Crabtree (Fort Payne), Lonnie Williams, Darla Daniels (Gadsden), Rita Moore (Killen), Ed Herring (Moulton), Ricky Brewer (Scottsboro), Earl Wilcher (Russelville), Tammy Deaton (Tuscambia), and William Cummins (Scottsboro).

Moulton Postmaster Ed Herring was presented the Retail Customer Experience Shining Star Award.

Falkville Postmaster Billy Morris accepted one of two Office of the Year trophies.

Scottsboro Postmaster William Cummins' office was also named Office of the Year.

We have created an online photo album of the afternoon which can be accessed by clicking here.

Alabama Championship collectible commemorative envelopes

2012-01-12T17:40:00.003-06:00

In celebration of the University of Alabama's 14th National Football Championship, the Alabama District will have available in select offices in Alabama on January 27 the limited edition Alabama Championship collectible commemorative envelopes for $10 each and double matted art (suitable for framing) for $25 each.

ROLL TIDE!

The commemorative envelopes will include a stamp and game-day cancellation.

A list of participating post offices will be forthcoming.

Additionally, collectors can order this very special memorabilia by using the order form listed at the bottom of this post. Get yours today because supplies are limited. Please allow three weeks for the delivery of your items.

Part 4 of Fun Ways to Increase Revenue: Universal Letter Writing Week and Postcrossing

2012-01-12T17:24:00.001-06:00

We are right in the midst of Universal Letter Writing Week which, this year, runs from January 9th through the 16th. In honor of the occasion, Postmarks decided to resume our series on fun ways to increase USPS revenue by introducing everyone to and participating ourselves in what sounds like could be the coolest new website and activity.

Do you like surprises? Want something in your mailbox besides bills, magazines, and other impersonal or stressful mail? Do you enjoy making other people happy? Then Postcrossing is the site for you.

It is free to join. Participants pay only for the postcards they send and the necessary postage.

The main idea is that for each postcard you send, you'll get one in return.

When someone receives a postcard from another member, that recipient logs into the site and records the completed transaction. At this point, the sender receives one "credit" which can be used to request that a postcard from be sent to them.

Names and addresses are randomly assigned, so you never know whose info you'll receive when you request an address, nor will you know from where a postcard will originate when you request that one be sent to you.

Doesn't that sound like it could be loads of fun?

Postmarks signed up right away and requested five addresses (the maximum that you can have open at one time) from the site. We were emailed the information for other participants from the Netherlands, China, Russia, Germany, and Taiwan.

We'll keep you updated on what happens next. In the meantime, you can check out Postcrossing yourself by clicking here.

MLK National Day of Service, free park admission

2012-01-11T13:14:00.001-06:00

For MLK Day, free admission to national parks - Globe-trotting - The Boston Globe:

National Park Service says that all 397 national parks will offer free admission from Saturday, Jan. 14- Monday, Jan. 16 to mark Martin Luther King Day. In New England there are more than two dozen parks, with the bulk of them being in Massachusetts (15). On its website, the NPS maps out locations by state.

For those interested in King himself, BudgetTravel offers these suggestions:

Those wishing to learn more about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., can pay a visit to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta, Georgia, where both the home he was born in and his tomb with the Eternal Flame are on display. Follow in his footsteps along the National Historic Trail from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, now a designated historic byway. If you happen to be on the east coast, visit the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. and sit on the steps from which Dr. King delivered his famous "I Have A Dream" speech, or visit the newly opened Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in the National Mall. Events commemorating Dr. King's life will also take place at Fort Donelson National Battlefield in Tennessee, while the MLK Film Festival will be held at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington D.C. from January 14-16.

North Alabama Diversity team and activities

2012-01-10T16:49:00.000-06:00

Ensley Post Office employees make wishes come true

2012-01-03T16:38:00.001-06:00

Once again, the employees at the Ensley Post Office did everything that they could to make some children and families very happy at Christmas.

They asked a social worker from the Department of Human Services for wishlists from needy children in their area and, after receiving the lists of four kids, proceeded to contribute enough money so that EVERY ITEM THAT THE CHILDREN REQUESTED FROM SANTA WAS PURCHASED!

Ensley Post Office staff with the load of presents right before they were wrapped for delivery.

"We always have our hearts open to help. Whatever we can do, Ensley will do,” said Ensley SSA Synthia Crutchfield.

What makes their efforts even more selfless and special is that their gift was made anonymously: the presents were delivered to the social worker, who then delivered them to the two families.

Karen Guin, Lisa Taylor, and Cheryl Boren are making their lists and checking them twice.

With the $500 that was donated by the Ensley employees, Karen did all of the shopping because she has a reputation for always finding the best deals.

While Karen was in the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle, she saw firsthand how contagious kindness and good will towards others can be. "When the teen-age clerk at Rack Room heard who I was buying for, he asked, 'Do you do this every year? Can I donate?'" Karen told us, so touched by the young man's gesture that choking back tears was impossible.

Another customer at Macy's heard what Karen was doing and contributed her valuable coupons to Ensley's cause.

Ensley, thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity, and we look forward to seeing you all again next year.

Plan your escape

2011-12-28T16:59:00.002-06:00

It's a typical Thursday evening on the job. You've been on the machine for a couple of hours, which has passed quickly because you've had your headset on and have been enjoying all of those great Christmas tunes that you downloaded earlier in the day.

You think that you hear a loud bang or two over the music and machines, but aren't sure what's going on until you see a rush of co-workers heading towards the exit. You decide that there's probably some kind of a drill occuring and decide to follow them.

It's not until you are all jammed at the turnstile waiting to get out one by one that someone tells you what's happening: a co-worker, someone you all know, is inside, shooting at people.

Nobody thinks that they are ever going to have such a horrific scenario thrust upon them. If you worked at the Montgomery Main Post Office mail processing facility on December 1, 2011, this could have been you.

As we all know now, nobody was hurt, and the shooter was soon taken into custody.

But just because the event ended quickly and without injury or death does not mean that everything went perfectly.

Earlier this week, Postmarks discussed the incident with Postal Inspector Tony Robinson, who shared some of his insights into what happened that night so that all of us might be better prepared in the future.

Know your exits, alarms, and releases.
When you're preparing for any kind of a test, the best strategy for a successful outcome is to drill yourself on and learn the answers to all possible questions: knowing one answer alone (no matter how well you know that one answer) is not going to cut it.

"Whenever you go to a new workstation, immediately familiarize yourself with all of the exits and what it takes to release them," said Inspector Robinson.

During the Montgomery incident, many employees ran for the one point of building access with which they were familiar rather than heading towards the closest way out.

To worsen matters, at some exit points, employees wasted precious moments going out one by one though badge-accessed turnstiles until somebody arrived who knew the location of and how to work the emergency release.

Don't rely on the familiar.
When in a panic, it is common for people to do what is familiar to them rather than what is safest.

"Adrenaline kicks in, and people develop tunnel vision," said Inspector Robinson.

"They go to the entrance or exit that they have used the most rather than to the one closest to them. In some cases, going across a congested or dangerous area to get there."

Use that time during emergency drills to familiarize yourself with the unfamiliar. Make a mental map of the exits, releases, and alarms, and take every opportunity to review that internal blueprint.

Imprinting these images upon your brain is something that only you can do.

Robinson also recommends that every employee ask themselves this question: What would you do if your “normal” exit was blocked? Example: a car has crashed through the front of your building.

Develop a planned route and several alternatives.

Alert others
"During the incident in Montgomery, some window clerks saw people rushing out but didn't leave their posts because they assumed that it was a drill," said Robinson.

Don't assume that others already know. Alert your hearing-impaired colleagues, call 911 if you can, and if you are in a supervisory position, activate the Postal Alert Notification System (PANS).

What is the safest action in the plant might not be the safest thing to do if you work in an office space.

If evacuation is impossible, which in many cases it will be, you will have to shelter in place.

"In an office-type situation, often, barricading or locking one’s self in is the safest option. You want to avoid exposing yourself at all costs," Inspector Robinson said.

If you find yourself in this predicament, the most important thing is to make the room that you're in seem unoccupied. If you are in a group, it's important that you work as a team to turn off the lights, lock and barricade the door (if possible), make sure all cell phones are silenced, and to remain quiet and out of sight.

If you have 911 on the line and find yourself unable to talk, turn down your volume but leave the line connected so that emergency personnel can hear what's happening in your vicinity and can determine where you are located in the building.

Remain hidden and silent until you are sure that the voices you hear are coming from rescue personnel. Shooters have been known to attempt to lure victims by calling to them, and when rescuers initially enter the building, their first priority is going to be to deal with the shooter, not to care for the victims.

Some other points that Inspector Robinson says to keep in mind:

Shootings from customers most frequently happen during the day, from postal employees in the evening or at night.
After your escape, at rallying point, be aware of the potential for planted devices.
Rallying points should not be right outside the building.

"OSHA still says that the postal service is one of the safest places to work, but it’s not exempt from tragedy. As you go through drills, be thinking so that if you ever have to be in a stressful situation, you can rely on instinct," said Robinson.

Letter from a happy customer: "The Post Office saved Christmas."

2011-12-27T16:55:00.002-06:00

Today, Postmarks found this wonderful letter in our inbox and had to share it with you right away.

Liz Isbell, a customer here in Birmingham, wrote to express her gratitude for the service she received from the Woodlawn Branch and from the Birmingham mail processing facility:

Subject: The Post Office saved Christmas
I want to send accolades and kudos to the Woodlawn, AL branch and the Downtown Postal sort center. I placed an order online which was a gift for Christmas. It was getting closer and closer to Christmas, and I did not receive the package. I went online to track the package and noticed that I used the wrong zip code.

I tracked the package online and discovered that it was at the Woodlawn location. I called the Woodlawn branch and spoke with Bob, who was very helpful. He tracked the package and told me that it was not at that location yet and to call back the next day.

I called the next day and spoke with a lady, (unfortunately, I did not get her name), who was also very helpful. She checked the status and told me that it should be at the Downtown Birmingham sort center the next day and gave me the phone number for that location.

The next day, December 23rd, I called and spoke with Charles Bishop. Mr. Bishop listened as I explained the error I made with using the wrong zip code, and he graciously tried to locate the package, but it was not received at that location. Mr. Bishop told me to call back the next day, which is Christmas Eve.

At this point I felt it was useless to think it was possible to actually get the package in time. Reluctantly, I called Mr. Bishop the next morning, and he told me that they were still sorting the mail and told me to call back after 10 o'clock. Now it was my very last attempt at what I feel is a hopeless situation.

At 10:15 am on Christmas Eve, I called Mr. Bishop. As soon as I told him my name, he said, "I have it!" with a tone of confidence.

I was flooded with joy and made arrangements to pick up the package. Without the help and conscious effort of each person I spoke to, this would not have happened. This is my Christmas miracle.

Many thanks to the people of the USPS!

Happy holidays from Diversity

2011-12-24T12:52:00.000-06:00

Click on the picture for easier reading.