First Response: A Funeral Director’s Initiation into Disaster Management
When I joined Kenyon International, I knew the mission in theory. A global network of trained responders. A commitment to dignity and professionalism in the worst moments imaginable. What I did not know yet was what it feels like when the call actually comes.
In late March 2026, I was activated for my first deployment with Kenyon Emergency Services following the Air Canada Express Flight 8646 incident at LaGuardia Airport in New York. The crash was tragic, with two pilots killed and dozens injured. Once the immediate emergency response and federal investigation work was underway, Kenyon’s work began in a different way. Quietly, methodically, and with an intense level of precision.
Our team was made up of 12 responders from very different professional backgrounds. Many had already worked major incidents. I was the new guy. Twelve strangers, dropped into a high stakes environment, expected to function as one unit immediately. And we did.
My primary assignment was GoPro video documentation during the recovery operation inside the aircraft. Everything was recorded. Every action was intentional. Every movement was guided by established protocols. The level of chain of custody and property tracking was higher than anything I have ever experienced. Items were logged, identified, categorized, and accounted for with meticulous detail. It was not only about documentation. It was about respect. Respect for the victims, respect for their belongings, and respect for the families who would eventually need answers.
The worksite required full protective gear. Tyvek suits, full PPE, strict safety standards. It was physically demanding, but the emotional reality was heavier. Each day you walk into the site and you see the aircraft. You see the aftermath. You remember why you are there. You then do your job anyway, because doing it correctly is part of the care.
One of the most meaningful parts of the week was the people. Air Canada’s team showed up with genuine compassion and professionalism. Kenyon’s leadership was steady and experienced. They set a tone that kept the operation calm, even when emotions were high.
Personally, this deployment reminded me what it feels like to not be in charge. I was there to learn, follow the system, and execute the assignment. There was something refreshing about that. It brought me back to being part of a team in the purest sense. You show up, do your job, support the people next to you, and trust the process.
It also reinforced something I have believed for a long time. Funeral directors are built for this kind of work. We bring organization to chaos. We stay calm in tragedy. We understand dignity, property, and presence. Even in disaster response terms, this was considered a smaller incident. It did not feel small to the families affected. Every life matters. Every detail matters.
We completed the mission. We served the client and all affected parties with care. And I walked away with a deeper understanding of what disaster response truly demands, and why our profession has a place in it.