about the TASK FORCE
Most quite naturally tackle immediate daily tasks, one right after the other, continually fighting fires throughout the day. Others are even quite adept at planning for future events that can be scheduled and expected.
But planning for an unknown disaster? That’s entirely different.
Disaster planning takes creativity and an advanced survival instinct. In fact, only the rarest of individuals can extract themselves from the immediacy of insistent interaction. For most, the “tyranny of the urgent” trumps the quietly looming crisis-that-can-be.
Individuals who are able to imagine and orchestrate responses to events that, in most cases, have never before impacted their business, are exceptional indeed.
These individuals must have the ability to plan against the unlikely and possess the drive to win against all odds.
Yet, because individuals who possess this foresight are so few, countless businesses and corporations lack the planning and preparedness that will allow them to survive. This is true in every region of the country—just as it is true in our region.
After many meetings with businesses and organizations throughout Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, we can attest that the vast majority of entities would be devastated by a catastrophic weather event, man-made disaster or medical emergency. Even those who have invested substantially in preparedness may not appreciate how the failure of other organizations providing critical support infrastructure, would greatly impact individual preparedness. Those who provide food, health care, financial services and other vital resources are not prepared for a regional catastrophe.
One thing is certain. We must work together today to be prepared for the disaster that will come tomorrow. Regional readiness will collectively bring us through a disaster.
Leadership is imperative. For the rare few tasked with thinking the unthinkable and planning against the unlikely—the time is now.
Because, one day, those plans will be needed.
Even a fool may be wise after the event.
- Homer
But planning for an unknown disaster? That’s entirely different.
Disaster planning takes creativity and an advanced survival instinct. In fact, only the rarest of individuals can extract themselves from the immediacy of insistent interaction. For most, the “tyranny of the urgent” trumps the quietly looming crisis-that-can-be.
Individuals who are able to imagine and orchestrate responses to events that, in most cases, have never before impacted their business, are exceptional indeed.
These individuals must have the ability to plan against the unlikely and possess the drive to win against all odds.
Yet, because individuals who possess this foresight are so few, countless businesses and corporations lack the planning and preparedness that will allow them to survive. This is true in every region of the country—just as it is true in our region.
After many meetings with businesses and organizations throughout Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, we can attest that the vast majority of entities would be devastated by a catastrophic weather event, man-made disaster or medical emergency. Even those who have invested substantially in preparedness may not appreciate how the failure of other organizations providing critical support infrastructure, would greatly impact individual preparedness. Those who provide food, health care, financial services and other vital resources are not prepared for a regional catastrophe.
One thing is certain. We must work together today to be prepared for the disaster that will come tomorrow. Regional readiness will collectively bring us through a disaster.
Leadership is imperative. For the rare few tasked with thinking the unthinkable and planning against the unlikely—the time is now.
Because, one day, those plans will be needed.
Even a fool may be wise after the event.
- Homer