America changed ten years ago as we were transformed by the September 11 attacks from observers, to victims, to vigorous responders.

While we were transformed, our society was not. Few businesses have invested significantly in preparedness even in the face of an increasing number of unexpected, uncontrollable, and heartbreaking disasters. Oil spills, hurricanes, wild fires, pirate attacks, earthquakes, financial collapse - the list is as long as the decade that separates us from the tragedies at the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and on Flight 93.  

As you remember 9/11, think broadly about preparedness. Management team members and employees who are usually decisive and reliable can become ineffective when their loved ones are at risk without a plan. Too many families lack even a rudimentary safety plan or understand how their community will cope with a disaster.

Urge employees to visit credible websites like www.Ready.gov where they can find information on home preparedness. Suggest they sign up as a National Coalition Member. Take time to talk with children about how to stay safe during a wide-scale emergency. Explain who they should look to for help if parents aren't around. Even small children can be taught to dial 911, just as elders can learn to send a text message when cell phones fail. If you have pets, plan for their needs when you create your "grab and go" kit.

Take time to meet your neighbors. Talk to them about establishing a mutual aid system in the event of a local disaster. Consider joining your local Community Emergency Response Teams program (CERT - www.citizencorps.gov) which provides training and education on emergency preparedness. Investigate first aid courses and consider a regular program of donating blood and platelets. Pay attention to the seniors in your immediate area. While they are vulnerable in some ways, in a prolonged crisis can be founts of invaluable knowledge.

Read the community response plan (a.k.a. hazard mitigation plan) for your area. These can usually be found on your local government website. If you can't locate it - a quick call to your fire department or town hall should tell you how to access it. Just as you should ask your fire department to observe and critique both your business evacuation plan and shelter-in-place exercise; consider asking a community or faith-based group to sponsor a preparedness event. Contact local scouting or community groups and ask them to organize a community disaster exercise. Often local hospitals are a source of assistance and will welcome the chance to participate in such exercises.

All of these ideas require work. More challenging, they require that we leave our comfort zones and begin to think about the frightening things happening to our family, friends, community, and business.

Preparedness begins with vigilance, requires planning, and demands regular attention. While a daunting challenge, the facts are irrefutable. Spending time to prepare will save lives, save businesses, and save communities.

Take time this September to reflect on the events of the past ten years. Then ask, "If something happened today, how prepared am I?" Simply exploring likely individual challenges will help you be better prepared and Ready to Resume.