| Thinking back to that dreadful day in September | | | | Protection and the Department of Emergency |
| 2001, as the world sat watching in numbness as | | | | Management. I have first hand knowledge of just |
| the catastrophic events unfolded before our very | | | | what happens when an emergent regional disaster |
| eyes as the first plane found it's target. The | | | | event takes place and the effects that they |
| North Tower of World Trade Center. Then | | | | produce. The single most significant factor that |
| shortly thereafter, the second plane strikes the | | | | separates a victim, barring serious injury, that's |
| South Tower. We all sat and watched in total | | | | incapable helping themselves and has no means of |
| helplessness as the magnitude of the devastation | | | | sustainability and the potential heroes that have |
| became clearer. Then the Pentagon is struck and | | | | prepared themselves and can render assistance |
| finally the courageous souls on board Flight 93 | | | | to those around them, is the preparation that |
| thwarted the fourth planes' attempt to target | | | | took place prior to the event. Emergency Survival |
| Washington DC. I believe it would be safe to say | | | | Preparation. |
| the number one question on everyone's mind was | | | | This single factor could insure you and people |
| What's Next? If the sponsors of this attack had | | | | around you at the time of the event, the best |
| broadened their scope of the attack to include | | | | leverage to surviving and the ability to sustain a |
| taking out the power grid and communication | | | | prolonged absence of the ability to attain food, |
| centers in the United States, we could have | | | | shelter, water and first aid by traditional means. |
| conceivably been cast into utter pandemonium | | | | There are many forms of preparation to be |
| and anarchy. | | | | considered. You should first assess the potential |
| Until this horrific event, US citizens enjoyed a | | | | regional threats and the probability of an event |
| sense of security from terrorism on such a broad | | | | transpiring from that threat. Categorize the |
| scale. Aside from the 1993 car bomb attack on | | | | threats on a 1-5 scale. 5 being the most likely to |
| Tower One, there had been only seemingly | | | | take place. Your home preparation and portable |
| isolated terrorist attacks within the United States | | | | kits should be focused on what you will need to |
| over the past forty years. US citizens have felt | | | | ensure your safety and sustainability during and |
| isolated from the terrorist attacks that have | | | | after these events. An emergency contingency |
| ravaged much of the rest of the world for | | | | plan should be prepared and rehearsed regularly. If |
| decades. | | | | you have pets, they need to be included in all |
| Apart from terrorism, natural and pandemic | | | | your preparations and plans. You also need to |
| disasters have claimed more lives around the | | | | realize that you may not be at home when an |
| world than all the wars and terrorist acts | | | | event happens. Keep supplies and kits in separate |
| combined. Tens of millions of people have been | | | | locations in case one or more resource is |
| affected by hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, | | | | unreachable. Take courses in first aid and rescue |
| volcanoes, wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis and | | | | techniques you may need them. |
| pandemic disease. | | | | Above all, stay as calm as possible during and |
| Which brings me to my point. | | | | after an event. This helps you think more rational |
| Having worked within two sectors of public | | | | and helps others around you with having a sense |
| safety, the Department of Forestry and Fire | | | | of stability. |