We’ve all heard the old saying, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

The simple phrase applies to almost any of life’s situations, but it’s particularly true when unpredictable situations occur.

Emergency management planning isn’t necessarily rocket science, but it’s critically important. Much of it comes down to communication — communication between emergency agencies and between those agencies and the public.

All of those communication plans also must incorporate the possibility that some communication devices might go away during the height of the emergency.

In true natural disasters, sometimes telephones, cell phones or computers may not work as planned. But by preparing for situations in advance, every “player” on the team knows what they need to do and when they need to do it.

Last week when Isaac slowed moved across Mississippi and Louisiana our area was spared serious loss of life or property, but the storm served as a great practice drill for our emergency management folks — and the public.

Great preparation appears to have paid off nicely as almost all involved suggested the response to the storm went smoothly. Additional planning can make things go even more smoothly, particularly if both sides of the river work to create a regional emergency response plan. Perhaps its need is best illustrated by co-opting the famous phrase.

“If we fail to plan how we can help one another, we plan to fail in helping one another.”