Today is a historic day.

It may be the first day of a conflict that lasts days, weeks,… Today is a historic day.

It may be the first day of a conflict that lasts days, weeks, months, years or more.

It may be another day of agonizing anticipation.

George W. Bush reserved Wednesday at 8 p.m. as the time he was fully justified in attacking Iraq, provided Saddam Hussein and his sons had not left the country.

Hawks, doves and the undecided all must realize the significance of this day, and must be prepared to make changes and form contingency plans in the event of domestic disaster. The troops have already been warned to expect American casualties. Those of us lucky enough to be observing from the home front must gird ourselves as well.

Western Pennsylvania may not be high on the list of potential targets, but the city and region are making plans nonetheless.

Sixty-six hospitals in the region are preparing to accept casualties flown in from the front lines; the region is among the top five national destinations for military patients.

The city is working on plans to evacuate the nearly 130,000 people who work Downtown every day, either by bus or in coordinated “waves” by car.

By May 15, each of the approximately 250 high-rise buildings in the city, those with more than seven stories, will be required to submit a plan for evacuation, or face $1,000 fines. Such buildings are also required to conduct evacuation drills at least once a year.

The city is also testing a plan to call every phone in the city via a computer system with emergency alerts.

Our campus boasts several high-rise buildings, most notably the Cathedral of Learning, where many students have at least a few classes every day, and the Litchfield Towers, where most underclassmen live.

Pitt needs to create a specific evacuation plan, fast. Using Audix, Pitt TV, Telefact, memorandums and this newspaper, every student, staff and faculty member needs to have this plan spelled out, by building and even floor, in hand within two weeks. There is no such thing as too much detail, nor such a thing as being too prepared. In the event of an emergency, Pitt owes it to everyone associated with it to send out notifications with utmost alacrity.

Knowing that a plan exists for the University community in the event of disaster is small comfort in days such as these. Knowing the plan, in and out, backward and forward, is the only way it can be useful, both for potentially saving lives and for putting minds at ease.