Sorry to hear about your job situation. I know how scary it is---feels like a punch in the gut. My husband and I went through this a couple of years ago and it took us completely by surprise.
In this crazy economy, your advice to 'plan for job loss now', while still employed, is very wise advice. No one's job is secure nowadays. We have to think of ourselves as independent contractors or as career coach Liz Ryan says a 'business of one'.

Developing multiple streams of income, such as what we're doing here on Steemit, is also helpful, that way if one source dries up, at least there are still the others to make up the difference.
I wish you all the best in your search for a new position and look forward to future posts which will hopefully have good news that you've landed something even better than your old job!