|
|
September
19, 2005
Based on the recent responses (or lack thereof) of government at all levels
to natural disasters, and the aftermath of natural disasters, it is wise
to take a little time and do some preparation in case YOU find yourself
in such a situation. Assume that no government agency will be there to
help.
- Have
a “GO-bag” with you at all times. A “GO” bag consists
of those items which you need for the next 12-18 hours in case you are
cut off from your normal house, office, vehicle, or work location. It
might include keys, phone, phone card, a bottle of water, medication
(see note below), paper and pen/pencil, spare ammo, and other items,
and should be small enough to fit into your briefcase, a shoulder bag,
or a small day-pack.
- Make
sure that you and your family have an evacuation plan of your own, and
places (plural) to assemble in case you are caught when the family is
scattered when a crisis erupts, and the priority in which they are to
be used. Where those locations are is very much dependent on the type
of threats that you may face.
- Have
a larger “GO-pack” in your vehicle with you at all times.
This includes items similar to the first “GO-bag” - those
things you would need for 24-72 hours cut off from your home, your workplace,
and sources of supply. It might include water, food, first-aid, emergency
vehicle items, ammo, weapons, and perhaps even an old cell-phone and
charger, FRS radios, and similar items. Although normally kept in your
vehicle, it should be something that you can pack at least a short distance
on your back: a medium-size pack or small duffel.
- Make
sure that your home and office are prepared in case of a disaster such
as a blackout, storm, or other incident that does not directly threaten
you or your location. This includes having supplies on hand, such as
water, non-electric appliances (such as can-openers and ventilators),
medicines, and ways to ventilate or heat the place. You should be able
to live in your house or office for up to a week when cut off from normal
utilities and access.
- Make
yourself a safe place in your apartment, house, or on your property
- a place you and your family can defend and survive in for up to 96
hours, with supplies, protection/shelter, and defenses; assuming that
all utilities are shut off and that bad guys are running around without
control.
- Ensure
that you have at least some supplies and tools available to do emergency
repairs on your house, such as blocking off broken windows, providing
for security in case of broken locks, shutting off gas, water, or electricity,
and have a plan to know how to do these things.
- Encourage
your relatives, neighbors, fellow church-members, business associates,
and service providers to do these things as well. Share ideas, but be
careful about specifics. Don't tell ANYONE more than they need to know
about what you are actually doing and where you are doing it. And don't
press people to share their secrets with you. Nobody can divulge to
thieves," official" or otherwise, what they do not know, and
they won't be tempted themselves.
- Organize
community emergency response teams (CERT) that are volunteer, relatively
informal, teams of people that learn what can be done and decide what
they can do in case of a disaster in a community.
- Make
sure that you have a means of escape at all times. For most of us, that
means having a working automobile of some kind - in reasonably good
working order, with the GO bag there. And make sure that your fuel tank
is at least ½ full at all times. (For others, that may require
working with someone who DOES have a good vehicle, or other alternatives.)
- Ensure
that you have multiple escape routes to use based on the threat (such
as flash flooding) to get from your normal locations to your assembly
point and to a safe place.
- Arrange
in advance for one or more places to take shelter, if need be for an
extended time, if it is necessary to evacuate; this might be with family
or friends or an affiliated church, or a place where the family goes
for vacations.
- Ensure
that you have adequate weapons suited for your location and situation,
and that you have been trained in their use.Ensure that you have adequate
ammunition for your weapons, both for training and for emergency use;
assume that resupply may NOT be possible for an extended period (years).
- These
are just a few of the most critical items that you need in case of emergency.
But the most important is your attitude: “I CAN survive, I CAN
make a difference, and I DON’T have to depend on welfare or forced
help from anyone.” Are you ready?
Editor's
note: Water and food stored for emergencies must be rotated regularly
to ensure it is healthful. Commercial bottled water (1/2 liter) will store
well for a long time. Dried foods are best for long term storage. Cereal
products must be rotated monthly. Look for the freshness dates on all
products. Remember that it will be exposed to extremes of heat and cold
in a car, thus shortening the storage life for these things.
If you
take essential medications, you should carry a supply for a day or two
in a purse or your pocket for such an emergency, but remember to keep
it rotated. Many medications lose their properties if overheated or exposed
to sunlight or air, so this may limit what you can carry. Unless you are
away from home a lot, a better plan might be to keep a supply of medications
in a special place in the refrigerator, ready to grab if needed. These
must be rotated regularly as well, or you may wind up with medications
that don't work or that might actually harm you! Just remove the old,
add them to your current supply, and put new pills back into the emergency
pack each time you renew your perscription. That's all it takes.
|
Archives
A
Diatribe for Memorial Day
Baker’s
Dozen- Tips for Rebuilding Dysfunctional Societies
Thoughts
on Fathers' Day from a Libertarian
What
now?
(Part I – Consequences)
What
now? (Part II - Responses that won't work)
What
now? (Part III – A Call to Action)
Churches
and Concealed Carry
Why
one libertarian doesn’t support Cindy Sheehan
Looters:
The Low-down on the Low-down
Bakers
Dozen ™: Hot-Wash Lessons Learned From Katrina, Week 1
Complete
Archives for Nathan Barton
|
