Archive for January, 2010

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January Newsletter: Haiti Earthquake Stuns The World.

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Happy New Year! Well, we kick off a New Year in 2010, and I’ve already broken my resolution! Yes, I only had one and could not keep it. Oh well, there’s always next year. The funny thing about that is I said that last year! :)

New Newsletter Format

We like would like to introduce to each of you the new format for our newsletter. During 2009, as we found our footing, voice, and style, we opted to keep newsletters separate in the newsroom area and not as a part of the blog. But with the blogs tremendous success, we felt it beneficial to make a newsletter post for month going forward. This way, you can keep up with great emergency and preparedness information. Enjoy!

Haiti Earthquake Stuns The World

Many thought it couldn’t happen, but it did. It happened to one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere on January 12, 2010 at 4:27pm and impacted around approximately 3 million people. The Haiti earthquake that struck the small island of Haiti and the Dominican Republic literally shows that a disaster can happen at a moments notice. Even after the initial jolt, Haiti has now been feeling close 50+ tremors. This goes to show, that no matter if you’re the poorest or richest country, disasters can and will happen.

More importantly, the Haiti earthquake demonstrates to everyone worldwide the importance of being adequately prepared in regards to emergency and disaster. Think about it, are you prepared should a disaster of any sort catch you, your friends and family by surprise?

In times of emergency and disaster, consider our short list of things to do before, during, and after: (more…)

Posted in Checklists, Communication, Crisis, Earthquakes, First Responders, Newsletters, Planning, Preparedness Supplies, Survival | No Comments »

A Simple Off-the-Shelf Solar Power System and Off-Grid Power Tools, by K. in Texas

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
This article is written for those who have no experience with solar power and would like to set up a simple beginner system. I have been using this system for over a year and have found it to be efficient. My goal was to put together a system which is easy to use and does not require a lot of technical knowledge. EQUIPMENT LIST: 1. BatteryMinder #SCC-015 Solar Charger 12 volt with 15 watt solar panel ($150 from Northern Tool and Supply) 2. BatteryMinder #BC2410 battery clip assembly ($10 from Northern Tool and Supply) 3. Interstate Marine/RV 12 volt battery #27DC-1 ($68 from Sam's Club) 4. Battery box for group 27 size battery ($10 from Wal-Mart) 5. Vector #VEC005 12 volt battery clips with accessory outlet ($6 from local hardware store) 6. Ryobi #P130 18 volt vehicle battery charger ($40 from Home Depot) 7. Ryobi #P824 18 volt tool starter kit with drill, circular saw, two 18 volt batteries, house current battery charger, and case ($89 from Home Depot) 8. A two or three level heavy duty shelf Obviously, you can purchase your equipment wherever you like. If you would like to support... Read the remainder of A Simple Off-the-Shelf Solar Power System and Off-Grid Power Tool.

Posted in Checklists, Communication, First Responders, Planning, Preparedness Supplies, Survival | No Comments »

Preparing Your Organization for Disasters, by N.C.L.

Friday, January 22nd, 2010
Where will you be when the earthquake happens? The tornado? The riot? The terrorist strike? The (fill in the blank). If you work or go to school, you spend about 40 hours every week in a non-home environment. Probably more if you count commute time, shopping, recreation, library time, extra-curricular activity time, and so forth. Even if you are a serious prepper, that means about 25% or more of your time each week is spent in environments away from your primary support systems. That also means that there is about 1 chance in four that a disaster will happen while you are in one of these other environments. You will have access to what you have with you and what someone (employer, school, etc.) has put in place for you in such emergencies. Having been employed for 40 years and a student for 20+ years before that I can tell you these other environments have virtually nothing in place to provide for the survival, let alone comfort, of those on premises. Read the remainder of preparing your organization for Disasters.

Posted in Blizzards, Checklists, Communication, Crisis, Earthquakes, First Responders, Flooding, Hurricanes, Ice/Snow Storms, Pandemics, Planning, Preparedness Supplies, Severe Storms, Survival, Terrorism, Transportation, Wildfires | No Comments »

America is More Like Haiti than We’d Like to Think

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
The recent earthquake in the island nation of Haiti illustrates the fragility of all societies. While Haiti is unusual in its lack of infrastructure and its high dependence on foreign aid--more than half of its annual government budget comes from foreign aid--it is still similar in many ways to other nations: From the 1960s to the turn of the 21st century, as in many other nations, Haiti became an urbanized nation. Before the 1960s a substantial portion of Haitian society still lived on rural semi-self sufficient farmsteads. But as urbanization and specialization went on, fewer and fewer people lived off the land and more and more citizens became dependent on foreign aid and a scant number of industrial jobs. This trend has been repeated around the globe, making nearly all societies increasingly vulnerable to disasters, man-made or natural. The resiliency of traditional agrarian societies has sadly become a thing of the past. Here in America, 2% of the population now feeds the other 98%. This is now something that First, Second, and Third World nations have in common. America is more like Haiti than we'd like to think. Human nature is the same in every culture and nation: fundamentally sinful.  Read the remainder of how America is More Like Haiti than We'd Like to Think.

Posted in Communication, Crisis, Earthquakes, First Responders, Planning, Preparedness Supplies, Survival | No Comments »

The Importance of Calories in a Survival Situation, By Keith W.

Monday, January 18th, 2010
In this modern world the term “calorie” is almost a bad word. They are things to be limited, controlled and shunned whenever possible. We use terms like “empty” and “wasted” in regards to the consumption of calories. Obesity, the result of the over-consumption of calories, is one of the biggest dangers that we face as Americans. If and when TEOTWAWKI occurs, our thinking needs to change immediately.  Read the remainder of The Importance of Calories in a Survival Situation.

Posted in Checklists, Crisis, Planning, Preparedness Supplies | No Comments »

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