25 Years Later: Remembering September 11, 2001

Today marks 25 years since the attacks of September 11, 2001.

For many of us, September 11 is one of those dates where we remember exactly where we were when we first heard that something terrible was happening. We watched events unfold that were difficult to comprehend, and we witnessed a day that forever changed families, communities, emergency services, our nation, and the way we think about preparedness and security.

Today is first and foremost a day to remember.

We remember the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives. We remember the families whose lives changed forever. We remember the firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, military members, dispatchers, healthcare workers, volunteers, and ordinary citizens who stepped forward to help others.

We also remember the many responders and survivors who continued to experience the physical and emotional effects of September 11 for years afterward.

Remembering the Response

One of the lasting lessons of September 11 is that during a disaster, people respond.

First responders ran toward danger. Coworkers helped coworkers. Strangers helped one another evacuate. Communities donated blood, provided meals, volunteered, and supported families they had never met.

That willingness to help one another remains an important part of emergency preparedness today.

Preparedness is not simply about having supplies stored in a closet. It is about people, relationships, communication, planning, training, and knowing what we will do when normal systems are suddenly no longer available.

Preparedness Has Changed in 25 Years

The emergency management profession has learned a great deal since September 11, 2001.

We understand more today about emergency communications, continuity of operations, interoperable response systems, public warnings, family reunification, community resilience, mental health, and the importance of involving the entire community in preparedness.

But one lesson remains remarkably simple:

We cannot wait until an emergency happens to begin preparing for it.

Every household should have a basic emergency plan. Families should know how they will communicate if phone networks become overwhelmed. Important documents should be protected. Emergency supplies should be available. Children should understand who they can contact if they become separated from their parents or caregivers.

Businesses and organizations should also consider how they will continue essential operations when facilities, technology, transportation, utilities, or normal communications are disrupted.

Preparedness does not eliminate disasters. It gives us more options when they happen.

Take a Few Minutes Today

On this 25th anniversary, consider taking a few minutes to reflect on both remembrance and preparedness.

Talk with your family about your emergency plan.

Check your emergency supplies.

Make sure everyone knows your family communication plan.

Know more than one way to receive emergency information.

Think about where you would go if you had to evacuate and what you would need if you had to remain where you are.

Learn something about emergency preparedness in your community.

And perhaps most importantly, think about who around you might need assistance during an emergency.

Prepared communities are built one prepared household at a time.

Never Forget

Twenty-five years have passed, but September 11, 2001 remains part of our collective history.

Today we honor those who were lost.

We remember those who responded.

We recognize those who continue to live with the consequences of that day.

And we carry forward one of its most important lessons: when emergencies happen, preparation, communication, compassion, and people helping people matter.

At LMD Disaster Survival Kits & Supply, preparedness is something we believe should be part of everyday life—not something we begin thinking about only after disaster strikes.

Today, however, we simply remember.

September 11, 2001 — Never Forget.

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Michael Cady, MSDM, NEMAA, is the owner of LMD Disaster Survival Kits and an emergency management professional with more than 30 years of experience working alongside first responders. He also has five years of federal disaster recovery experience assisting individuals, families, businesses, and communities affected by disasters.

Michael founded LMD Disaster Survival Kits in 2007 to help people become better prepared for emergencies before they occur. He holds associate and bachelor’s degrees in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, as well as a Master of Security and Disaster Management with a concentration in Climate Security from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

In his current professional role, Michael supports emergency management, workplace health, and safety initiatives for a behavioral healthcare organization with more than 500 employees.

Preparedness questions matter, reach out. LMD Disaster Survival Kits welcomes the opportunity to help individuals, families, workplaces, and communities strengthen their readiness, build confidence, and prepare for the unexpected.