Today marks the 10th anniversary of the attacks of the World Trade Center (WTC) on American soil.
I witnessed both planes stike the North and South towers of the WTC causing havoc, confusion and creating a massive citywide emergency response event, the largest NYC emerercy responders has reponded to at one location and also the largest amount of first responders whose lives were lost. For several weeks afterwards, first reponders from all over the United States came in to assist in the search and recovery efforts. I thank all (workers, volunteers, supporters) who made a difference during this difficult time.
Since this event, a lot of lessons were learned and many changes in both the security management and emergency management field have been made.
But, as many changes that have been made, it still seems as if we have areas that need to be addressed 10 years later, like communications, interoperability of operations, planning, training and response.
On this date, take the time to revisit your plans and asked yourself, do they need to be updated, have they been exercised, and what are my response capabilities? As a first reponder, on 9/11, the city as prepared as it was, was not prepared for what occurred. Communications measures were limited, cell phone sites were down, resources of equipment were not organized and the influx
of volunteers could not be immediately addressed as to where they should respond to.
Since then most of these areas have been addressed and plans have been developed.
As I reflect on this day, and of the friends and fellow first responders that were lost or fallen ill since then, I know its the reason why Blue Light Security Consulting was developed… to make sure that you are never in the left in dark when an Emergency and Security issue confronts you. God Bless America and Never Forget.
