Homeland security is no longer solely law enforcement's responsibility. It calls for a collaborative effort among citizens, corporations and the government. Terrorists are working to obtain biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological weapons. The threat of an attack is very real. The City of San Antonio, Bexar County and Comal County are working with the Governor's Division of Emergency Management and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to strengthen local and national security. Whenever possible, we want to stop terrorist attacks before they happen.

All Americans should begin a process of learning about potential threats so we are better prepared to react during an attack. While there is no way to predict what will happen, or what your circumstances will be, there are simple things you can do now to prepare yourself and your loved ones.

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling a supply kit and developing a family communications plan, are the same for both a natural or man-made emergency. However, there are important differences among potential terrorist threats that will impact the decisions you make and the actions you take. With a little planning, you can be better prepared for the unexpected.