Our Life Continuity™ preparedness programs are designed to save lives during times of disaster and dislocation. Our challenges are many. Surprisingly, however, even in the wake of 9/11 and Katrina, our greatest challenge is persuading the American public to recognize the serious threats they face. And to rectify their false assumption that if something bad were to happen, our local, state and federal governments would respond adequately, with sufficient resources and trained personnel. These two challenges are intertwined and are real and are at the root of the complacency that permeates our society. Don’t be caught short with everyone else. Bear in mind that you, your family, your corporation and our society are at risk, and, if we are not ever-vigilant and prepared, we could lose what we hold most dear.
Consider a few facts:
Thousands of articles and scores of well-researched, well-footnoted and well-written books articulate the threats, and nearly all of them note that, despite the tens of thousands of dedicated and professional EMS personnel hard at work in our country, we are not even remotely prepared to respond to most of the serious threats facing us. The problem is emphatically not the capability of these dedicated civil servants, but rather, the utter shortage.
The Department of Defense anticipates a crisis. It has reorganized itself so that by 2011 there will be 20,000 troops based in the United States, trained specifically to help state and local officials respond to a nuclear terrorist attack or other similar disaster. This reorganization is notable not because it will enable government to help you — it's not nearly enough — but because it demonstrates recognition of extremely serious threats at the highest levels of government.
In November 2008, one of the largest banks in the United States stated that “the damage caused by the financial excesses of the last quarter century [is] forcing the world's authorities to take steps that [have] never been tried before. This gamble [is] likely to end in one of two extreme ways: with either a resurgence of inflation; or a downward spiral into depression, civil disorder, and possibly wars.” (Telegraph.co.uk, Nov. 27, 2008)
The United States Department of Homeland Security has repeatedly articulated that every citizen needs to take responsibility for preparing for an emergency because they (Homeland Security) can’t be everywhere for everyone during times of disaster and dislocation.
Hardly a day goes by without an elected leader at the local, state or federal level decrying the limits on their available resources and their need to reduce services as tax revenues decline. Such service cuts will only put more pressure on our nation’s already strained and limited EMS system, further reducing government’s availability to help ordinary citizens in a crisis.
Years ago, our homes never had burglar alarms, yet today a house is rarely built in a metropolitan area without one. Years ago, private police and security guards did not exist, yet today this service industry garners billions of dollars in annual sales. In the past, only hospitals had generators (to protect critically ill patients), but today generator sales are proliferating as more and more people and businesses suffer from critical power interruptions.
Remember our greatest challenge? Raising awareness of the risks facing our society, including the fragility of our economy and our just-in-time delivery system, and the severe limitations of our government’s emergency response capabilities. Don’t fool yourself. Reams of data demonstrate that, under too many emergency scenarios, you will find yourself, your family, and your corporation on your own. At such a time, the size of your checkbook will not matter. But a Life Continuity™ preparedness program can make all the difference.
We invite you to learn more.
Plan. Provide. Protect…The Sovereign Deed Promise™