You can go your own way: US diverges from world on emergency preparedness

Key Points:

• Governments worldwide are launching public campaigns to enhance emergency preparedness for threats like cyber-attacks and natural disasters, but the US is focusing primarily on military readiness through its new "FORTRESS America" initiative.
• The "FORTRESS America" plan, announced by the Pentagon, aims to ensure US military bases can operate independently for 90 days, emphasizing energy independence, supply-chain resilience, cyber defense, and space capabilities.
• Experts highlight the growing complexity of threats, including simultaneous natural disasters and cyber-attacks, urging individuals to improve personal preparedness even as the military strengthens institutional resilience.
• Despite existing programs like Ready.gov, US public preparedness remains low, with only about half of adults feeling ready for disasters, and federal workforce reductions have strained local and state emergency management capacities.
• Emergency experts recommend that individuals start preparedness by assessing local risks and hazards, tailoring their plans to their specific geographic and technological vulnerabilities.