Maybe a pandemic flu.

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Or maybe a terrorist strike with chemical weapons.

Disaster is always on the horizon -- at least that was the message at a "Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail" videoconference that brought together local leaders from Le Mars and in six other states.

The second part of the message: we've got to be prepared.

About 25 local business and government leaders attended the local site for the videoconference hosted by Frontier Communications.

Angie Erdmann, Le Mars area's local Frontier manager, said the conference was designed to remind these leaders that disasters are a real possibility for Iowa, and that everyone needs a plan.

On 9/11, she said, Frontier was ready, making sure all its communications buildings and properties were secure.

"We know people need to be able to communicate," she said. "It's important."

For example, if a pandemic flu would strike, many businesspeople would want to work from home via the Internet.

Communications companies like Frontier can prepare by having protective equipment for employees to install high-speed connections to homes during a pandemic.

Kirk Hatting, director of the Communications Center at the Plymouth County Law Enforcement Center, said the meeting also opened his eyes to some potential cyber risks.

"Sometimes at seminars you get free jump drives, and they said that maybe 90 percent of the time they're encrypted with software that will hack into your information," he said. "Some things you don't think are risks actually are. I was just amazed."

A "jump drive" is a small device that allows computer users to transfer files from one computer to another by plugging it into the USB slot on their computer.

The speakers at the videoconference also told people to be careful in downloading software from the Internet. It may come with more than meets the eye, Hatting explained.

During the question and answer part of the seminar, one viewer asked what is the No. 1 item rural communities overlook.

Communication.

Communities, one videoconference panelist noted, need to make sure businesses in the private sector are talking to government and safety entities -- before disaster hits.

"Everyone needs a plan," Erdmann said. "We're hoping this videoconference helps start conversations."