| I don't know specifically
what is about to happen, but something is definitely wrong and
the government officials know and we don't! I have noticed since
about October, a definite increase in emergency preparedness
warnings and Public Service Announcements on TV and radio aired
late at night. (I know, I'm a night owl. That's when I do my
best writing!)
These advisories tell
each family that they should have an emergency plan and pretty
much refer you to
www.ready.gov
or your individual state emergency management offices. They
suggest that each family should have at least a 3 day supply of
food, water, gas, and medical supplies. But did help come for
many in Katrina in three days?
Now, I believe that the first piece of the
puzzle is manipulation by the government and the powers behind
the throne that control our government. People who are scared
are much more easily controlled and manipulated. Did you know
that all of the media in the entire world is owned by only
six families? If that is true, and it is, how balanced or
accurate do you believe the information you receive on TV and
newspapers might actually be?
The second piece of the puzzle is that
when you are referred to these government programs (yep, the
same ones that handled Katrina so well for us), the information
is vague and not specific enough to give you the actual facts
and "how to's" to handle the specific situation or crisis.
Instead, you're left feeling panicky and not knowing what to do.
Crisis could come to us in many forms
including volcanic eruption, rising sea levels, earthquakes,
civil unrest, terrorist attack, nuclear attack, and
electromagnetic pulse nukes which would incapacitate every
computer chip in your car and household appliance. This would
shut down your electric supply, the pumps that operate municipal
water supplies and wastewater processing, the pumps in your
individual wells, and the gas pumps. It would cause food and
medical supplies to no longer be transported.
So now, the government has changed its'
tune. Read the following and see the newest recommendations.
Hmm, if this is what they now suggest, I wonder what the reality
might be?
The following quotes are available by
downloading the FEMA "Are You Ready" online:
The national emergency management system is
built on shared responsibilities and active participation at all
levels of the pyramid. The whole system begins with you, the
citizen, and your ability to follow good emergency management
practices—whether at home, work, or other locations. FEMA, Are
You Ready, Pg. 10
FEMA, Are You Ready, Pg. 33
|
Home |
Work |
Car |
|
Your disaster supplies kit should
contain essential food, water, and supplies for at
least three days.
Keep this kit in a designated
place and have it ready in case you
have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all
family members know where the kit is kept.
Additionally, you may want to
consider having supplies for sheltering for up to
two weeks. |
This kit should be in one container,
and ready to “grab and go” in case you are evacuated
from your workplace.
Make sure you have food and water in
the kit. Also, be sure to have comfortable walking
shoes at your workplace in case an evacuation
requires walking long distances. |
In case you are stranded, keep a kit
of emergency supplies in your car.
This kit should contain food, water,
first aid supplies, flares, jumper cables, and
seasonal supplies. |
You should store at least one gallon of water
per person per day. A normally active person needs at least
one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking. Additionally,
in determining adequate quantities, take the following into
account: Individual needs vary, depending on age, physical
condition, activity, diet, and climate. Children, nursing
mothers, and ill people need more water. Very hot temperatures
can double the amount of water needed. A medical emergency might
require additional water. FEMA, Are You Ready, Pg. 34
It is recommended you purchase food-grade water
storage containers from surplus or camping supplies stores to
use for water storage. Before filling with water, thoroughly
clean the containers with dishwashing soap and water, and rinse
completely so there is no residual soap. Follow directions below
on filling the container with water.
If you choose to use your own storage
containers, choose two-liter plastic soft drink bottles – not
plastic jugs or cardboard containers that have had milk or fruit
juice in them. Milk protein and fruit sugars cannot be
adequately removed from these containers and provide an
environment for bacterial growth when water is stored in them.
Cardboard containers also leak easily and are not designed for
long-term storage of liquids.
If storing water in plastic soda follow these
steps. Thoroughly clean the bottles with dishwashing soap and
water, and rinse completely so there is no residual soap.
Sanitize the bottles by adding a solution of 1
teaspoon of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to a
quart of water. Swish the sanitizing solution in the bottle so
that it touches all surfaces. After sanitizing the bottle,
thoroughly rinse out the sanitizing solution with clean water.
Replace the water every six months.
FEMA, Are You Ready, Pg. 34
One fly in the ointment of political
control of the media is the widespread use of the internet.
Investigate and educate yourself now, before power failures take
away that alternative. There is much information available on
the internet and even some well written books in the
marketplace. I will provide links to some of these books at the
bottom of this article. Being prepared is your responsibility,
not our governments. And the time is now, not in the middle of a
crisis.
Start today! Start small, with your 3 day
Emergency Supplies, and then expand upon that. Small is better
than nothing, although the belief that this will sustain you
could really cost you in the long run.
Water
is THE most important part of your preparedness. This is
followed by how to purify your water, how to store your water,
followed by food, first aid supplies, and shelter. I know that
the Y2K scare passed us by, but then came 9/11 and our world is
not the same. Talk to you family and your neighbors. Those who
are involved and active in a caring community will have much
greater chances of survival. You may also decide to pool your
resources when it comes to a purchase of a distiller to purify
your water and the propane that you will need to heat the boiler
when we are without electricity.
It would be impossible, in the course of
one article, to provide all the information that you would need
to survive a crisis, but I will provide some basic, important
things that you should know, and try to refer you to resources
to continue your education and your ability to prepare to take
care of yourself and your loved ones. Don't be a victim. Be
prepared!
to be continued
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