As America commemorates the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, many may question if the nation is any safer from terrorists than before 9/11.

In May 2011, Navy SEAL Team 6 killed Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind behind the attacks. In a speech at the National Democratic Convention last Thursday night, President Obama said allied forces have successfully disrupted al-Qaida and its affiliates.

Between 9/11 and today, authorities have been able to successfully prevent subsequent terror threats through intelligence, while others — like a planned attack by would-be underwear bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab — were averted through poor execution.

Congressman Mo Brooks, R-5th, said the risk factor today remains high, especially as the country faces the potential of devastating defense cuts through sequestration. He said if the cuts go through, the country could have the smallest Army since World War II, smallest Navy since World War I and the smallest Air Force in history.

“That means we’ll be at greater risk,” he said, adding that the risk of attack is no longer limited to just al-Qaida. “The risk is from Iran, North Korea and any number of terrorist organizations.”

Brooks, who has previously visited the Sept. 11 Memorial, said the impact of the attack continues to resonate even more than a decade later.

“(The memorial) has a profound effect on you; just the magnitude of the buildings and destruction that was done,” he said.

Gov. Robert Bentley said the anniversary of Sept. 11 will always bring back painful memories, but added that America is a resilient nation and will not be defeated by terrorism or difficult economic times.

“We must never forget what happened to our country that day. At the same time, we can be encouraged by remembering the spirit of unity and bravery that we saw among survivors, first responders, and citizens across the nation,” Bentley said. “We salute the first responders and law enforcement officers who dedicate their lives to serving their communities.  They are ready to take heroic action at a moment’s notice.  And we are grateful for their service each and every day.”

The devastation that affected the country on 9/11 occurred hundreds of miles from Athens and Limestone County in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pa., but first-responders here were no less affected. Emergency workers and utility officials say they continue to utilize training, communications plans and equipment acquired following the attacks on a daily basis.

Security at what is viewed as the area’s most likely target — Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant — was an immediate concern for all first responders following 9/11. Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely said his department assisted the nuclear plant’s police force following the attacks.

“There were always calls of a foreign-looking guy asking for directions to the nuclear plant,” Blakely said.

Following the terror attacks, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ordered substantial security enhancements at all U.S. nuclear power plants including more than $1 billion on physical enhancements, training and hiring of additional security officers.

In a recent report to Congress on nuclear security, the NRC said, “The commission is confident that nuclear power plants … continue to be among the best-protected private sector facilities in the nation.”

Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson remembers how beautiful the weather was on that particular Tuesday. He received a phone call about the attacks, and he and other officers then began to watch news coverage trying to decipher what had happened.

“We made ourselves aware of locations that were potentially hazardous like the water supply,” he said. “A couple of us went out to the water treatment plant and looked for ways (to guard against attacks).”

Since 2001, Johnson said, his department has incorporated new training techniques that are geared more toward immediate response in case of a disaster or attack.

“We know what to watch out for and how to handle different situations,” he said. “There’s been a lot of changes since (9/11).”

Like Johnson, Blakely said the 2001 attacks “changed the whole outlook” of law enforcement, especially in terms of training and preparation. He said the creation of the U.S. Homeland Security Department following 9/11 also allowed first responders to apply for grants and purchase emergency equipment, while bolstering mutual aid with agencies across the state.

“We’ve sent people to South Alabama after (Hurricane) Katrina, and after the (2011) tornadoes, we had people from South Alabama come help us out,” he said. “There seems to be better coordination between departments. I wouldn’t say everything is perfect, but the awareness and the threat we lived under made law enforcement better in all aspects.”

Daphne Ellison, officer with the Limestone County Emergency Management Agency, said other improvements came about through using the National Incident Management System, which relies on standardized training for first responders.

“That required us to use ‘plain-talk’ instead of 10-codes because everybody’s (dispatch) codes are different,” she said. “Things certainly improved communication-wise.”

While the creation of the Homeland Security Department in Alabama helped first responders be more disaster-ready, it has seen a gradual decrease in funding. An Associated Press report last week noted the department’s state funding this year is less than one-tenth of its 2003 amount at only $374,000.

The Alabama Department of Homeland Security also has only 13 employees, the report said, and is primarily being used to meet the demands of the state’s new immigration law.

The Alabama Homeland Security Act of 2003 states the department exists “to assist, coordinate, and encourage homeland security preparedness.” State law doesn't give the agency direct law enforcement duties, though it grants broader powers, including the ability to help enforce quarantines, in times of statewide emergency.

Despite a cutback at the state level, Brooks said the agency continues to serve a vital function in keeping America safe and enhancing emergency preparedness.

“America spent hundreds of billions of dollars on Homeland Security that would not have been spent but for the 9/11 tragedy,” he said. “As a consequence, our emergency preparedness in the event of an attack is much better.”

— The Associated Press contributed to this report.