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A Message from NASBLA CEO

By Hannah Helsby posted 03-26-2020 04:55 PM

  

Over the last two weeks, NASBLA has undertaken a number of measures in response to the public health concerns related to the spread of the coronavirus. Through June 30, NASBLA and its affiliated organizations have cancelled or postponed all in-person meetings, conferences, workshops and training events, as well as suspending all nonessential staff travel. The Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) Program is currently working with all customers and agency hosts to individually assess training needs and respond appropriately under current recommendations and restrictions.

 

In addition to curtailing travel and business meetings, NASBLA staff have been directed to begin working from home through the end of March or until such time as new health guidelines become available through the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Throughout these sudden and unforeseen circumstances, we have been fortunate to enjoy the full and steadfast support of our members, staff and instructors, as well as our customers and the service providers who help us deliver these events.

 

As timing would have it, NASBLA is also in the midst of a major physical move as the association takes occupancy of its new headquarters office building. Beginning March 27, and continuing for roughly the next 10 days, the NASBLA office will be officially shutdown as our infrastructure is moved to our new location. The office will reopen in Beaumont Centre in southwest Lexington on April 6.

 

During the migration to our new headquarters office space, NASBLA’s main telephone number
(859-225-9487) will remain operational, permitting callers to leave a voicemail for individual staff for a call back or appropriate action. Staff email and direct contact numbers will remain unchanged. For now, email may be the most direct and effective method of communication.

 

Coincidental with the reopening of NASBLA headquarters in early April, we will continue to assess the status of the coronavirus threat as we incorporate updates to public health guidelines from the Commonwealth and across the nation. We will use these assessments to determine when it will be appropriate for staff to return to normal, office-based operations, as well as to begin planning for contingencies this summer and beyond.  Please stand by for further schedule updates in early April.

 

While it will likely take a few weeks to get back up to full speed and to fully integrate our new office’s capabilities, we are eager to continue the important work we have underway in support of our policy committees, panels and boards, as well as key research and development activities underpinning our national education standards, BOAT training courses and boating safety grant projects. During this period of heightened public health concern and the associated increase in risk to our community of first responders, please know that NASBLA is here to help and that we stand ready to assist you and our member agencies in any way we can.

 

Effective April 1, the association’s new address will be:                 
NASBLA
1020 Monarch Street, Suite 200
Lexington, KY 40513


Respectfully,

John M. Johnson

Chief Executive Officer, NASBLA

March 26, 2020

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