"We think it's important to have a recognizable symbol," said Bruce Baughman, president of the National Emergency Management Association. "If people see that symbol on web sites, on the sides of government vehicles, on crates of emergency relief supplies and on preparedness material, they'll more easily recognize the efforts to make their lives safer and more secure and hopefully become more involved in the process.  We would like people pay closer attention to what is or is not being done to protect them and hold the authorities accountable.

We hope people will become more familiar with all aspects of emergency management, particularly preparedness. People should know if their local, state and federal emergency management agencies are prepared and even insist that they have adequate resources to fulfill their missions. Questioning authorities on readiness should be done before a disaster strikes and not as part of a post-disaster inquiry into what went wrong. 

Another symbol for catastrophes, the 50's and 60's era "civil defense" icon is rarely used anymore. The letters C and D inside a triangle was the universal sign of the efforts to protect citizens against a nuclear war. Perhaps most remembered is the sign for fallout shelters once found on thousands of well-protected buildings across the country. Three black triangular blades on a bright yellow background would make it easy for people to searching for protection from nuclear fallout to spot in the midst of chaos. You can still find the signs on some older buildings.

The old civil defense symbols were used in public service campaigns for the same reason the new symbol is being introduced: to inspire people to become more involved in their own protection and preparedness.  

But not since these cold war relics has there been any universal visual associated with the field that is so critical to life, safety and security.

Not only should people be aware of the preparedness efforts of their government, but they should also pay attention to the funding emergency programs by the White House, congress and in state legislatures and voice their concern when emergency management budgets are cut and readiness becomes an issue. 

An informed and active public will make the country stronger and more able to withstand the ravages of nature or the destruction from man-made catastrophe