The first half of 2011 has proven quite remarkable as to the number of record-setting disasters around the world.  The massive flooding in Australia, New Zealand's earthquake, and of course Japan's triple threat (earthquake, tsunami, nuclear) are just a few notables from around the world.  Here at home, tens of thousands of Americans have endured devastating flooding, the 6th deadliest tornado season (so far) in history, and massive wildfire outbreaks.  As if all of that isn't enough, June 1st marked the beginning of hurricane season.  We can certainly hope hurricanes aren't out to set any records this year, but the trend so far speaks against such hope.

So what's the deal?  Are disasters really on the rise?  Experts say yes, but the suggested possible reasons vary from one end of the spectrum to the other.  Regardless, the facts certainly stack in favor of Miguel de Crevantes who proclaimed "Forewarned, forearmed; to be prepared is half the victory."  Mother Nature has, for the past six months, certainly been taking care of the "forewarning", but how are we when it comes to being "forearmed"?  It is becoming more and more difficult to adopt the philosophy "it won't happen to us" or "that never happens in this part of the country".  Who expected the 7 tornadoes which wreaked havoc on more than 20 communities in Massachusetts the first of June in the most destructive and deadly tornado event in that state since 1954?

It falls upon us all to take a critical look at our corporate, organizational, and individual emergency preparedness and ask the question, are we truly prepared? If we can answer "yes", then perhaps we need to follow up with, "how can we be better prepared?"