Five Years Later: How Have We Changed Since 9/11?

On Monday, the nation marked a somber anniversary: Five years since the devastating September 11 terrorist attacks. In the week leading up to the anniversary, the media detailed much of what has changed – and what hasn’t – since the attacks.

Did 9/11 reshape the world in general and our industry in particular? In many ways it did. The country is far more aware of the threat of terrorist attack. Communications interoperability has become even more critical. Cities, first responders and businesses have made changes to better protect us.

But many experts are worried it hasn’t been enough. The nation’s newspapers and pundits wondered this past week if we are any safer than we were five years ago. A GAO report found the government is still unprepared. And the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina reminded us all how we still need an all-hazards approach to preparedness.

In this week’s e-GUIDE, we take a look at the September 11 anniversary coverage from this past week and ask: Has 9/11 really reshaped our world?

First responders mark the anniversary with …

They were on the front lines during the attack. They are still our first line of protection and defense. How have America’s first responders marked the anniversary? Check out the following articles for their take on the event and its aftermath.

• Five years later, fire chief troubled by 9/11 attack:
  http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=658&NewsID=745595&CategoryID
• Op-Ed From the International Association of Fire Fighters on the Anniversary of 9/11:
  http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-op-ed-from-international-association
• After 9/11, a new world for local responders:
  http://www2.townonline.com/tewksbury/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=569830
• More resources, training the biggest 9/11 effects on local first-responders:
  http://www.bonnersprings.com/section/news/story/9003
• Police and fire officials look back on 9/11, discuss lasting impacts:
  http://www2.townonline.com/norwell/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=568538

Looking back, looking forward

The world changed dramatically on 9/11, and this week, everyone remembered the events in their own way. Here are some of the different takes on how the events changed our world.

• Experts: 9/11 won't be the last attack: http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette
• Emotions still run deep: Five years after 9/11, residents still affected, directly and indirectly:
  http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17163617&BRD=1601&
• Sept. 11 reinforced impact Columbine had on schools:
  http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=
• The Consequences of 9/11: http://www.voanews.com/english/denesnera2006-09-06-voa55.cfm
• The Long Shadow of 9/11: Who's ready?:
  http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Sep-10
• U.S. Air Force major recalls 9/11 events: http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/15485320.htm

Where are we now?

The war against terrorism is far from over, but five years later, how far have we come? Check out these articles on the current state of the nation.

• Five years later: http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2006/09/08/PM200609086.html
• Ridge says U-S is better off now than five years ago: http://www.kctv.com/Global/story
• Chertoff: Close security gaps: http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/15473270.htm
• 9/11: Five Years Later: http://www.crn.com/sections/hardware/hardware.j
• Five years later, economic impact of 9/11 has faded: http://www.fwbusinesspress.com/display.php?id=5293
• Post 9/11: Securing cargo and profits:
  http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/story/09F0BAA38E0DB6
• Lower Manhattan companies have mixed success since 9/11:
  http://www.postgazette.com/pg/06249/719229-28.stm
• An industry takes flight: Countless business opportunities have grown out of the tragedy of Sept. 11: http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-an-industry-takes-flight-countless-business

What we’ve learned…

The lessons of September 11 were many. Did anyone actually learn those lessons? Here are some stories of those who did.

• Gains since 9/11 make state safer: http://www.madison.com/tct/news
• Remembering 9/11: Preparedness stressed in September:
  http://www.planostar.com/articles/2006/09/08/rowlett_lakeshore_times/news/news_15.txt
• Official: N. Texas better prepared for emergencies since 9/11:
  http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/DN-
• San Diego makes strides in safety since 9/11:
  http://www.sdnews.com/vnews/display.v/ART/06/09/07/4500c77baa5c2
• Leaders Say City Prepared With Upgrades Since 9/11 Terrorist Attack:
  http://www.theiowachannel.com/news/9806895/detail.html
• New York-Presbyterian Hospital learning from 9/11: http://www.news-medical.net/?id=19973
• How Philadelphia has changed since the 9/11 attacks: http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/
• 9/11: Five years later -- How we've changed: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg
• Schools more secure, students more aware since 9/11: http://www2.townonline.com/norwell
• Chicago saw many changes after 9/11: http://www.sj-r.com/sections/news/stories/95488.asp
• 9/11 taught agencies to cooperate: http://www.gazette.com/display.php?id=1321402&secid=1

And what we haven’t

Despite the progress we’ve made since the attacks, many still believe we haven’t quite learned our lessons. Here are some of their stories.

• Post 9/11: A Security Progress Report Card: http://www.groundsupportmagazine.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=2075

• Pelosi: We have not kept our 9/11 pledge to make America safer: http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/news_in_brief/pelosi_on_911_060908.shtml
• 9/11 Anniversary Raises Cyberterror Questions: http://www.darkreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=103285&WT.svl=cmpnews1_2
• Post-9/11 antiterror technology: A report card:
  http://news.com.com/Post-911+antiterror+technology+A+report+card/
• Five years after 9/11, government still unprepared for disasters, GAO says: http://www.federaltimes.com/index.php?S=2085660