Are we better prepared than we were in 2001?

We'd experienced terrorism before, bombings, hijackings, kidnappings.

Fourteen years ago, however, it came home -- even Nebraskans considered New York City, Washington D.C. and Shanksvill, Pennsylvania as "home" after September 11, 2001.

We pulled together as a nation, then, and began to get serious about defending ourselves from future attacks.

But are we better prepared today than we were on Sept. 10, 2001? And who is the real enemy? What is the real danger?

One analyst thinks terror groups might try to out-do each other in attacks on the United States in an effort to prove their relevance.

Brian Fairchild, who spent two decades with the CIA and has testified before Congress on terrorism told US News & World Report that a big attack may be on the way.

Al-Qaida needs to attack the U.S. like 9/11 to gain stature for its leadership and the organization.

"This is an extremely dangerous time as Islamic State, al-Qaida and the Taliban fight and compete for dominance."

The American Media Institute obtained a 32-page ISIS recruiting document that called for the Islamic State group to launch a war with India and would draw the United States into battle and end the world.

There's no way to adequately prepare for ISIS's end-of-the-world scenario, but there's no reason not to be better prepared for whatever emergency is likely to arise.

"Don't Wait. Communicate. Make your Emergency Plan Today."

That's the theme of National Preparedness Month in September, sponsored by the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department and West Central Nebraska Medical Reserve Corps.

"We want residents of Southwest Nebraska to be prepared for emergencies," said Heidi Wheeler, emergency response coordinator at SWNPHD. "This month is a great reminder for businesses and families to take this opportunity to plan together for emergency situations."

Sample emergency communication plans are available under "Hot Topics" at the SWNPHD website: www.swhealth.ne.gov or from FEMA at www.ready.gov/september

"WCNMRC is a group of medical and non-medical volunteers trained to assist during disasters," shares new WCNMRC Coordinator, Joanna Le Moine, of North Platte. "We are always recruiting new volunteers that may be involved in a variety of emergency situations." Examples include: triage during a hospital surge, mass vaccinations in public health incidents, medical roles in shelters, and providing pet and livestock assistance during disasters, just to name a few.

National Preparedness Month promotes emergency preparedness efforts such as those of SWNPHD and WCNMRC. "We have excellent volunteers, but we want to increase our impact to help in emergencies," explains Le Moine. "We are currently recruiting physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, veterinarians, mental health professionals, EMS, respiratory therapists and non-medical volunteers."

WCNMRC covers the following counties: Arthur, Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Grant, Hayes, Hitchcock, Hooker, Keith, Lincoln, Logan, McPherson, Perkins, Red Willow and Thomas.

For more information on volunteering for the WCNMRC contact Le Moine at wcnmrc@gmail.com or (308) 532-7383, or at WCNMRC on Facebook and @WCNMRC on Twitter.

For more information on emergency planing, call Heidi Wheeler at (308) 345-4223, swnphd on Facebook or @swpublichealth on Twitter.