Frank Elsner, Chief of Safety and Security for the Natural Factors Group of Companies, is advocating for increased public focus on personal preparedness and mental readiness. Drawing from decades of frontline work, leadership roles, and experience in high-pressure environments, Elsner says the most important safety tools are not complicated systems but the small, consistent habits people practice every day.
Recent studies reveal concerning trends about public readiness. One in three Canadians say they often feel unprepared in daily situations, while 76% report difficulty focusing due to stress, digital overload, or fatigue. Workplaces have seen a 22% rise in preventable incidents linked to communication breakdowns and rushed decisions. Elsner explains these aren't technical issues but human issues where small habits can make a significant difference.
Elsner's career includes undercover work, intelligence operations, dive team leadership, tactical response assignments, and senior roles in organizational safety. He says those experiences shaped how he thinks about readiness today. When working undercover, he learned that the smallest shift in tone or movement could change the whole situation. He emphasizes that awareness isn't paranoia but paying attention with purpose.
Elsner continues to use a practice he learned from tactical teams: quick, structured debriefs. After every major task, he takes a minute to ask what worked, what didn't, and what should change. He notes that anyone can adopt this practice to stay grounded.
Elsner encourages individuals, families, and workplaces to focus on three practical habits. First, pausing before making decisions, noting that a few seconds of patience can prevent hours of damage control. Second, writing things down by hand, as studies show handwriting improves information retention by 20–30%. When Elsner returned to university as a mature student, handwriting forced him to slow down and absorb ideas. Third, using short debriefs after stressful or important moments to strengthen next steps forward.
For managing overwhelm in real life, Elsner shares the importance of having a personal reset mechanism. When he feels overwhelmed, he rides his motorcycle, which forces full attention on the road. For others, it could be walking, cooking, or sitting quietly for a minute. His belief in calm reflection comes from years of working in environments where clear thinking mattered, and he adds that silence is underrated as it gives space for better judgment.
Elsner invites Canadians to choose one daily habit that improves their own readiness without special training. He emphasizes that preparedness isn't about fear but presence, and when people slow down, stay aware, and check in with themselves, they strengthen their families, workplaces, and communities. He encourages workplaces, schools, and community groups to make conversations about awareness and decision-making part of their culture.
