CASE STUDY: EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Preparing for vacation: Mr. Solomon is the VP of LPG Gas Generating Power Plant. He was due to go on vacation starting next week and hand completed his handover to the Director to take over the responsibilities in his absence for the next 2 weeks. Solon was known as a Manager who ruled with a iron rod, he was very detailed and knew the consequences on what a slight mistake would cause to the Power plant. He had started his career in this plant as a technician and had climbed the corporate ladder within 25 years. He is both liked and feared by the subordinates as he wont take slackness or mistakes on any account. Solomon has been working overtime and on weekends for over one year as part of their Phase III implementation and the project was recently launched in success attracting much media attention and praises from the City. This vacation has been due for a long time and he was planning to have this with no interruption at all, as this period within the plant was a low demand phase.

CRISIS IN PLANT: Suddenly Solomon is informed that there is a leak in the Gas plant and the emergency alarm has been activated. The Plant is currently undergoing emergency evacuation. Solomon is quickly briefed by the Plant Director on what the intensity of the leak is and what are the mitigation plans in place. But this has lead to new channels , public and politicians all calling in to know the why ? how ? and when? Questions. The Plant Director is very thorough the evacuation plan as this has been drilled over the years, he mentions he can handle the situation and asked Solomon to proceed with his long due vacation. Solomon decides to stay back and take control on the situation , but as he isn't well versed with the technical aspects, he follows and acts upon the guidelines of the Plant Director. He left the mitigation and plant operation to the Pant Director and personally spoke to media on what are the mitigation plans and what is the seriousness of this leak. He meet with the City Mayor and explained the situation to him and asked Emergency response plan tam to be provided to come up with various solutions and assist the plant official to this crisis.

Q1.What leadership style does Solomon have? And what style do you think he has adopted in the Crisis? Do you agree with the style he has adopted. 10marks

Q2. What crisis response plan did Solomon take? 10marks

Q3. If you were in Solomon's role, what Crisis steps would you have taken? 10marks

Q4. Do you think moving forward there should be a change in Solomon's leadership style , will that help in mitigating any similar issues? 10marks