Post-Memorial Day Thoughts: Preparing for Disasters/Emergencies/Terrorist Attacks

Readers of this particular blog, more than many others, probably are aware of occasional government warnings or hints from certain unnamed "counterterrorism experts"  through various media channels, that al-Qaeda or other terrorists are posturing for another attack on the mainland United States.  Little is known (or, at least, is revealed to the media or public) about what the actual targets, targeted regions, or even the scale of such attacks might be. 

• American military forces, security forces, law enforcement agencies, and intelligence agencies will surely do everything they can to stop or blunt such an attack.
  • But, they must necessarily operate behind many veils of secrecy.
• So, we (the public) might never know about it if an attack is short-circuited, given understandable security measures necessary to protect "sources and methods."

So...what do we self-reliance citizens interested in emergency preparedness (but not crazed survivalists, certainly) do about the situation? 

Most of us are probably in no position to prevent such attacks, but may well feel the effects if, for example, a "dirty nuclear bomb" were exploded in a major seaport or financial center.  Remember how the nation seemed to stand still for several days after 9/11???  It is not hard to imagine scenarios where the U.S. populace would be forced to endure lengthy periods of shortages and deprivation--or worse.  Just as much of a threat is something like Hurricane Katrina...which certainly was a national emergency in terms of its scales and impacts.

I could literally write for pages about such scenarios...how they could occur...the potential effects and side-effects...the devasting effects on individuals, families, and our society as a whole.  I retired from the Air Force after 25 years' service...including 9 years in the Pentagon/DC area and considerable time spent within the intelligence community.  But, that's not the purpose of this particular blog, and truthfully, we don't want to scare anyone off from trying to prepare.  Some preparation is ALWAYS better than no preparation!!

We also could give you many pages of checklists about how to prepare for or cope with various terrorist or natural disaster scenarioes.  The supplies, tools and other stuff you could/should store...the first aid training you could/should take now, long before you might ever need it...etc., etc., etc.  But not today.

Today, I just want to suggest that surviving any long-term disaster, emergency or terrorist attack situation must start first with one big overall decision...and a series of smaller ones resulting from the first one.

Here's the big decision: 

Do you/I/we want to always, in any situation that might come to pass (man-made or natural), be a net positive asset for the benefit of ourselves, our families, our communities and our nation--not matter how minor or serious the situation?   

What is your DECISION and CHOICE in this matter??  Because it indeed is a decision and a choice that we make, each and every day.

If your answer to this question is "YES," there are some implications for your life and lifestyle; in particular, it means that you'll make the next set of smaller decisions, signfying that you're willing to:

• ...sacrifice some near-term pleasures for long-term insurance..such food storage/emergency preparedness (FS/EP) measures.
• ...make a real effort...invest the time...learn the tricks and tips of EP & FS...and then apply them in your situation and life.
• ...invest some of your financial resources...for some folks, scarce financial resources...with the knowledge that you may well never have actually NEED those FS/EP measures.
• ...learn from others...listen to those who have been working at these questions and issues for years, and can help you avoid some infamous "rookie mistakes." 
• ...have a desire to be as ready as you reasonably can, come what may, to care for you and yours as best you can; and, whenever possible, have some to share with others, as well.

My military career is long over...I'm not heading to Iraq or Iran or anywhere similar. God Bless those who must.  I'm not a crazed survivalist begging for something bad to happen, just so I can show how well prepared I am for it--I don't wish for a Katrina-level disaster to strike my region.  God Bless those who endured Hurricane Katrina, and those who responded with aid, assistance and financial relief.  We've also been fortunate not to be affected by any of the spate of tornados striking the midwest in the spring of 2008...but pray for those who have been impacted, particularly north of Denver, far less than a hundred miles from our home.

But, whether I/we are ever forced to actually endure a crisis or emergency is immaterial. I am a citizen of a great nation...determined to not become a burden to it in a time of crisis, if at all humanly possible.  Whatever might happen, I will not just sit around and wait for my government to come and rescue me...I will be prepared to survive, endure...and help others.  Thus, I resolve to do the following, and hope you will, too: 

• Within practical limits of budget and space, I will have a year's supply of food and other supplies in my home...just in case.
  • We already have this in our home...made possible by organizing our supplies with ShelfReliance rotating food storage systems.
• I will have clean water stored for use during emergencies...and a back-up water filtration system, should I need more clean water...just in case.
  • We're in very good shape on this one...we store a couple hundred gallons of emergency water...and own several high-quality Katadyn Water Microfilters, and even lots of replacement filter elements.
• I will have emergency heating capabilities for the winter...and emergency cooking capabilities for any time of year...just in case. 
  • We're still working on this one...but have made great progress.  We're good for at least a couple of weeks on emergency heat (propane systems), and for several months of emergency cooking (the Cobb Premier Grill/Cooking System).
• I will take reasonable steps to protect my FS/EP supplies from the most likely threats in my region...just in case.
  • I've made sure a good chunk of my supplies are protected from water damage/flooding...and maintain a few fire extinguishers to combat house fires...etc. 
• I'll have at least "recieve" communications capabilities, plus lots of batteries...plus a hand-cranked and solar-powered recharger...just in case.
  • We've got several small (read: portable) AM/FM/SW radio receivers in our home...including one that is rechargeable by either solar power or hand-cranking.  Plus, lots of spare batteries.
• I'll be more than willing to share what we have with those are in need around us...our neighbors and friends.
  • But, I'll be prepared to defend my supplies and my family against those who would take our supplies from us, by force.
  • You'll forgive me, of course, for not specifying exactly how we might go about this particular task.
• Just in case...we will have a few other key items...a 72-hour kit, or "go bag," if you will...pre-positioned and ready to grab-and-go, just in case that firefighter shows up at our door and says "you've got to evacuate, NOW." 

We're not perfect in doing all of the above, of course...and like any EP/FS/Survival plan or program for the home, you have to evolve and change to fit your circumstances over time.

But, please, think about establishing/continuing/improving your own EP/FS/Survival plan and storage...you'll sleep better at night.  And though you might never win a medal for doing so...ultimately, you'll be helping your community and your nation, as well.

• It's all part of not just being a citizen...not just a good citizen...but being a GREAT citizen, of this GREAT nation. 

Hoping that you'll be prepared to cope with whatever emergency situation may arise...but never actually have to do so.

Rocky Mountain Home Solutions