Emergency Preparedness... True Confession: A week ago, I had never heard the expression "go bag" in reference to real estate. So I was curious myself when a reader asked me about the contents of the go bag mentioned in last week's Dispatch, 9/11 Echoes in the Workplace (Sep 23).

As Alan Reiss wrote, all Port Authority (PA) employees have been provided go bags in case of an emergency. These go bags follow the recommendations of the Department of Home Land Security, although "ours is smaller, like a canvas lunch bag with a zipper and front pocket.

"In it are a variety of items, including two safety light sticks by Cyalume, two dust masks in the 3M style, a whistle, a flashlight and batteries, a small transistor radio, an emergency first aid kit plus antibiotic swabs, antiseptic towelettes, bandages, a survival-wrap Mylar blanket, 2 emergency waters, maps of NYC and NJ, plus transit maps, etc. Also, we include a card with assembly areas and emergency PA phone numbers."

Bought in volume, these bags cost under $20. But a quick search at Google revealed a vibrant emergency preparedness industry with many upscale go bags for sale to individuals. For example, UrbanSurvivalKit will sell you a $155 go bag which includes a 30-day flashlight, food bars with a 5-year shelf life, and a 120-decibel personal alarm "to alert others of an emergency or to alert others of your location." ... Are you a buyer?

--Peter Pike