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In The Spirit of Self-Reliance (Vanity)
Me ^ | 9/2/2005 | Me

Posted on 09/02/2005 8:43:33 AM PDT by erikm88

In the wake of all that has happened and watching the events that unfold hourly, and keeping up with the Katrina live threads, I thought I would post a thread that could help all of us on FR and those visiting, lurkers etc...

I know that we are an intelligent, creative, and ingenuous bunch, so I am tapping many of you and others to contribute your emergency preparedness plans, ideas, or homebrew solutions to emergency problems.

Just to start off, here are a few things my family and I have decided during an emergency, be it natural disaster, civil insurrection, rebellion, or what not.

Emergency meeting place- In case we cannot get home or are in our offices, and TEOTWAWKI (The End Of The World As We Know It) or slightly less calamities hit, we have decided on a gathering place. This is usually outside the "zone of catastrophe", we have alternate meeting places as well. Be sure to change your meeting places in relation to the catastrophe at hand.
Routes to Bug Out- Alternate routes out of your "zone of catastrophe" will be necessary, so study those maps, and maps of surrounding states. We have DeLorme's Gazetteer maps, which include GPS grids, and have limited but slightly useful topographical information (contour intervals etc), they also have detailed rural routes. I have one for my state (Missouri), but have maps of surrounding states, and have made plans to use alternate routes to bug out, instead of the usual main highways.
Places to stay- We're in central Missouri (Columbia/Jefferson City area), and my family is in California (Orange County), and my wife's family is in Indianapolis, so if such calamity strikes here we've got quite a drive, however, we agreed we would high-tail it to Indianapolis (again using our alternate routes). California is just too far. If we can't find a place, or it's taking longer to get to Indy, we would camp (we like to camp, so it's not a big deal).
Communication- More than likely cell phones and what not will be out along with power, however, if not, we'll use them, but we currently have GMRS or HAM radio communications, along with a couple handheld scanners (good for weather band, police, fire etc.).
Bug Out Bags and Necessities- Each member of the family has a bag with at least a week's worth of clothes (preferrably not cotton if it's winter), hygiene supplies, a single first aid kit, shoes, nutrition bars, flashlight, and some candles w/ matches. I'm in the process of organizing our emergency food stocks, I use the rubbermaid action packers to store food, and since I have to buy distilled water for med equipment, I just take those empty gallon jugs and fill them with water. One action packer has food, and the other has blankets, flashlights, lanterns, fishing line, fishing poles, ammo, knives, lures, seeds (garden), and other provisions.
Information, Important documents- We have made copies of all of our insurance policies, important documents, birth certificates, bank accounts, phone numbers, addresses, in a notebook. I know another FReeper has done the same, they posted that info a few days back. A nice stash of cash is good too, but depending upon the situation may or may not be useful.

Preparing doesn't have to cost that much, and will avoid the problems we're seeing in New Orleans. I make it a point to purchase 1 or 2 emergency items a month and at the time change I check all provisions, batteries, and what not and rotate out canned foods. Also, it's a good idea to purchase specialty items that would fit disasters that are particular to your locale.

I grew up in California and have always had to prepare for earthquakes, and so I'm always mentally prepared for whatever should strike. You should too!!!

Links:

AlphaRubicon- Emergency Preparedness Site
equipped.org- Equipped to survive (uses lots of fancy survival gadgets, kinda pricey but pretty cool)
Cheaper than Dirt-Survival supplies.
Major Surplus and Survival


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: beready; disaster; earthquakes; emergency; fires; floods; landslides; naturaldisasters; preparedness; selfreliance; survival

1 posted on 09/02/2005 8:43:34 AM PDT by erikm88
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To: Admin Moderator

can you re-classify this.. I tried to put it in the correct areas, but I guess it didn't go where it was supposed to. Thanks!


2 posted on 09/02/2005 8:44:54 AM PDT by erikm88
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To: erikm88

Good point. Don't plan to depend on the government to help you out. Always have a plan in place. Common sense.


3 posted on 09/02/2005 8:45:25 AM PDT by RushCrush (Are you ready for your closeup Ms. Sheehan?)
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To: Admin Moderator

Can you re-classify this, I thought I checked the correct options, but I guess it didn't go.


4 posted on 09/02/2005 8:45:33 AM PDT by erikm88
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To: erikm88

Don't forget your weapons and ammunition. Lots of ammo.


5 posted on 09/02/2005 8:45:44 AM PDT by eyespysomething (Quid quid latine dictum sit, altum videtur)
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To: erikm88

Oh yes! This is so important.

Just stocked up on some more water and food yesterday for our disaster kit. My husband thinks I'm crazy, but I'm not taking any chances.


6 posted on 09/02/2005 8:46:20 AM PDT by redlocks322
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To: erikm88
No way man! I'm going to wait and then loot me a flat screen tv so I can "feed my chitlins" and them I'm going to turn around and blame the government for not taking care of me.

Being prepared? No way, laziness is so much easier.

7 posted on 09/02/2005 8:47:17 AM PDT by Solson (Viva il Papa!)
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To: redlocks322

My wife thinks I'm a little extreme too... but she takes it well :^)


8 posted on 09/02/2005 8:51:49 AM PDT by erikm88
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To: erikm88

At top of list... ARMED. But everything possible one can do to prepare is a necessity these days.


9 posted on 09/02/2005 8:53:56 AM PDT by Mr. Keys
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To: Mr. Keys

Are you serious? You expect people who have for generations sat around waiting for the gubment to take care of them to actually take an incentive to survive? Get out of la-la land. These people are THE WELFARE STATE that has been the basis of elected Democrats for decades and decades. This is a nightmare. It is not their fault. As long as we're blaming people, I blame liberal policies and politicians in N.O. who have allowed a virtual plantation to exist in their midst. Guess they liked it that way, since they could always count on their votes. Provided they sent the vans to pick them up.


10 posted on 09/02/2005 8:58:15 AM PDT by Galtoid
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To: Galtoid

?????


11 posted on 09/02/2005 9:02:46 AM PDT by Mr. Keys
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To: erikm88

Excellent post, E!


12 posted on 09/02/2005 9:10:08 AM PDT by LearsKent
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To: erikm88

Thanks for your ideas. I live alittle further south and west of you. We don't have to worry about hurricanes but an earthquake is more than a real possibility!


13 posted on 09/02/2005 12:20:39 PM PDT by swmobuffalo (the only good terrorist is a dead one)
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