If there's one important lesson Americans can take from the devastation following Hurricane Katrina, it's that in the case of any large-scale disaster, the government cannot provide food and water for everybody.

Threats of being displaced from home, family and life's essentials have become a worry as disastrous conditions in the Gulf Coast states still unfold. While everyone from emergency preparedness officials to church leaders are encouraging the public to invest in proper personal preparedness measures, many Utahns are looking toward the principal local threat — an earthquake that could result in a death toll in the thousands.

But emergency managers say they have learned from previous disasters in the state, like the floods in southern Utah earlier this year and the 1999 tornado. And if an earthquake, fire, flood or even a terrorist attack happens here, officials believe the state is ready.

Derek Jensen, spokesman for Utah's Department of Public Safety, said that regardless of what is happening in New Orleans, the department is braced for disaster, and its personnel train on an ongoing basis. They have particularly considered disasters that threaten Utah, such as severe weather or a high-magnitude earthquake. And, of course, any sort of terrorist scenario.

"Basically, the way we look at it is take an all-hazards approach to being prepared," he said. "Whether it's a bombing or an earthquake, the response would be similar."

Once initial cleanup is sorted out with Hurricane Katrina, Jensen said he thinks it will be a priority for all states and local governments to analyze the positives and negatives of the emergency response along the Gulf Coast and look at what can be done.

Although the hurricane didn't necessarily open Utah eyes to preparedness during a disaster, it absolutely made the public more aware, he said.

"We've noticed a lot more interest from the public." People want to know, " 'How do I prepare my family?' I've definitely noticed an increase in that. That's a message we try to promote and educate, but a lot of times people aren't paying attention to it. We have a disaster like Katrina happen and people think, 'I could have been vulnerable to this.' "

Fortunately, many Utah agencies have taken precautions — whether from a previous local disaster, in preparation for the 2002 Olympics or part of a detailed emergency plan.

And should disaster strike, officials say, the state is mostly prepared. Among the actions and concerns:

• Seismic upgrades were done on numerous buildings as part of emergency planning before the 2002 Winter Olympics, and a major renovation is under way on the state Capitol. However, there are currently 65,000 masonry buildings in Salt Lake County without reinforcement, most residential buildings.