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Rescorla felt it was foolish to rely on first responders to save his employees. His company was the largest tenant in the Trade Center, a village nestled in the clouds. Morgan Stanley's employees would need to take care of one another. He ordered them not to listen to any instructions from the Port Authority in a real emergency. In his eyes, it had lost all legitimacy after it failed to respond to his 1990 warnings. And so Rescorla started running the entire company through his own frequent, surprise fire drills. He trained employees to meet in the hallway between the stairwells and go down the stairs, two by two, to the 44th floor.

I used to work in a mid-rise building. We had fire drills. Periodically, the fire alarm would go off, and the fire marshall would come on the loud speaker, indicating that it was NOT a drill, but we were to stay at our desks.

I NEVER DID THAT, but immediately headed for the fire escape because, I always knew that I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY OWN SURVIVAL.

It’s why those who’ve served in the military, or the police, or the fire brigade - or any other disciplined service - tend to survive disasters better than those who haven’t. And also why they tend to save lives.

Because we’ve learned to act. To respond.

Other people can learn this lesson too - but it’s drummed into us.

Evaluate quickly - then do something.

“Morgan Stanley's employees would need to take care of one another. He ordered them not to listen to any instructions from the Port Authority in a real emergency.”

“I used to work in a mid-rise building. We had fire drills. Periodically, the fire alarm would go off, and the fire marshall would come on the loud speaker, indicating that it was NOT a drill, but we were to stay at our desks.

I NEVER DID THAT, but immediately headed for the fire escape because, I always knew that I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY OWN SURVIVAL.”

BINGO DING DING We have a winner. When seconds counted 911 was minutes away plus Morgan Stanley was blessed with a MAN. A LEADER WHO LED FROM THE FRONT IN THE CLASSICAL MOULD OF JOSHUA CHAMBERLAIN OR LEONIDAS. One of the few who rise to to the occasion and say FOLLOW ME.