Governments in the United States and Europe are expanding emergency preparedness efforts as concerns grow over the ability of military installations, critical infrastructure, and civilian communities to withstand prolonged crises. Australia is also urging residents to prepare for emergencies that could disrupt essential services and supply chains.

The initiatives vary considerably, from Pentagon plans to keep major military bases operating independently of civilian infrastructure to government campaigns encouraging families to maintain emergency food, water and medical supplies.

In the United States, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the FORTRESS America initiative on September 30, 2026. The program, whose name stands for Federal Operations for Resilience, Troop Resources, Energy, Supply, and Survivability, is intended to strengthen military readiness against disruptions that could threaten American operations.

The Pentagon is working toward a requirement for major military installations to sustain essential operations independently for at least 90 days. According to reporting by Fox News, the effort includes ensuring continued access to electricity, water, fuel and communications even if civilian infrastructure becomes unavailable.

Proposed measures include portable nuclear microreactors, independent electrical grids and large-scale battery storage systems. These capabilities could help military bases remain operational during cyberattacks, sabotage or widespread power failures.

FORTRESS also addresses vulnerabilities in military supply chains. The initiative includes efforts to build strategic reserves of critical minerals, ammunition, fuel and medical supplies while strengthening domestic production and distribution networks.

One concern behind the effort is the growing threat posed by foreign cyber operations against American infrastructure. U.S. cybersecurity agencies have warned that Volt Typhoon, a hacking group linked to China, has compromised networks connected to communications, energy, transportation and water systems. Officials have raised concerns that access to those networks could be used to disrupt essential services during a future conflict.

Across the Atlantic, the British government is placing greater responsibility on households to prepare for emergencies. On October 22, the government launched its Be Ready campaign, advising residents to maintain enough basic supplies to manage at least three days without normal access to essential services.

The recommended supplies include bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, essential medication, and battery-powered or wind-up radios. Officials are encouraging residents to assemble their emergency supplies gradually rather than rush to purchase everything at once.

The campaign builds on preparedness guidance introduced in 2024 and addresses a range of potential emergencies, including severe weather, flooding, power failures and other disruptions to everyday infrastructure.

The initiative is also unfolding alongside warnings from British military officials about the country's readiness for a possible conflict. UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting warned in an article published by The Telegraph that adversaries could develop the military strength and wartime economic capacity to launch attacks by 2030. He said Britain and its NATO allies had just over 1,000 days to strengthen their readiness.

The campaign has also coincided with increased demand for emergency supplies. Some British retailers have reported higher sales of bottled water, canned food, flashlights and other household essentials. Toilet paper suppliers have also reported increases, with Cheeky Panda recording a 43% rise compared with the same period last year and Serious Tissues reporting a 36% increase over five days.

Government officials and retailers have cautioned against panic buying, emphasizing that households should prepare responsibly and build supplies over time.

France has maintained its own recommendation that households be prepared to manage at least 72 hours during a major emergency. French government guidance calls for an emergency kit containing six liters of drinking water per person, non-perishable food, essential medication, a first-aid kit and a battery-powered radio.

The recommended supplies also include flashlights, backup batteries, important documents and other necessities that could become difficult to access during an emergency.

French authorities say the first three days of a major crisis can be particularly challenging as rescue operations begin and access to essential services may be limited. Residents are encouraged to follow official instructions, monitor emergency communications and assist vulnerable people in their communities.

The country's 72-hour recommendation is part of its existing disaster preparedness framework, rather than a newly issued warning that a military conflict is imminent.

Australia is taking a somewhat different approach, with disaster management experts emphasizing the possibility of prolonged supply chain disruptions caused by natural disasters.

Associate Professor Lucy Lunevich, a disaster management expert at RMIT University, has recommended that Australian households maintain at least one month's supply of food. According to Yahoo News Australia, her advice reflects concerns that major disasters could interrupt transportation networks, supermarket deliveries and other essential services.

The recommendation is expert guidance, not a nationwide government requirement.

Nichola Krey, the Australian Red Cross director for Recovery and Resilience, has also encouraged households to prepare gradually without resorting to panic buying. The organization recommends emergency kits containing food, water, communication equipment, first-aid supplies and other necessities.

Australians are also encouraged to keep important documents and medications accessible and develop evacuation plans before an emergency occurs. The advice reflects the country's exposure to bushfires, floods, cyclones and extreme weather, all of which can leave communities isolated and disrupt normal deliveries.

While the countries are responding to different threats, their preparedness efforts share a common concern: essential services and supply networks cannot always be assumed to remain available during a crisis. Military installations, government infrastructure, and ordinary households are increasingly being encouraged to develop backup plans before disruptions occur.