I am a member of the Special Forces Association and got the following email yesterday. Thought I would pass it on.



>From: SFAHQ@aol.com
>To: Members@sfahq.org
>Subject: Katrina Update
>Date: Sun, 18 Sep 2005 09:15:56 EDT
>
>Update from Mike Linnane. In addition to his other efforts Mike has been
>making contacts with members in the disaster to assess needs. To date it
>appears that our members with few exceptions are fairing well.
>Sitrep follows:
>
>We all continued to assist folks in the shelters. Our goal shifted from
>providing emergency on site assistance to helping families get out of this
>area.
>I have started telling folks the emergency is over, now you must make plans
>for your life.
>
>Met with some Red Cross folks and got them to agree to provide and deliver
>assistance to church camps. Got the paperwork, learned how to fill it out
>and
>went out to several camps and taught pastors how to do it. They agreed to
>pass the info on.
>
>Karen spent all day yesterday sorting clothes and helping people free shop
>at a United Way/Salvation Army facility.
>Kathy went to various shelters and assisted some folks with coordinating
>transportation out of here. Also delivered some medications shipped here.
>Bob finished the car and went on some runs with me.
>
>Random thoughts FWIW:
>
>There are several different systems in place here. The first to be up and
>running were the churches and church camps. They are intertwined with each
>other and other congregations throughout the country. Though not apparently
>well-organized, this is a self and mutually supporting group that provides
>an
>enormous, but nearly invisible, amount of support.
>
>The Red Cross was next on the scene. For all the bad-mouthing I hear...I
>don't think folks (even folks needing help) realize their capabilities.
>The Red
>Cross has the vehicles to transport people and supplies, they have huge
>amounts of money and supplies, and they have a basic chain of command.
>95% of their labor comes from volunteers. The volunteers I met are
>kind-hearted and want to help. They don't have all the answers. They don't
>always know
>the most efficient way to do things. They do work their butts off day and
>night.
>
>Pinging on the Red Cross is an exercise in futility. If you are an evacuee
>you have to do business with the Red Cross. It is very important to
>register
>with both the Red Cross and the FEMA system. Red Cross for emergency
>support
>and FEMA for long-term support.
>
>Then there is the Salvation Army and United Way. They are oriented to
>providing necessities to individuals. From what I've seen, both are very
>good at it.
>
>One more invisible but important group consists of American volunteers.
>Like
>us they have come here from around the country hauling truck and trailer
>loads of supplies. Each uses different techniques, but they all manage to
>find
>and assist large numbers of folks who are desperate and unfortunately are
>not
>yet in the system or the system is not responding to them quick enough.
>
>A comment on personal responsibility:
>Far too many of the folks affected by this tragedy (who I've met) have no
>sense of self-reliance and self-sufficiency. They want, expect and demand
>the
>government provide their every need. There is one simple reason for this.
>They
>failed themselves and their families by not being prepared for an
>emergency
>and not having an evacuation kit.
>Department of Homeland Security has been preaching that we all must do
>this
>since they were founded three years ago.
>
>If the evacuees came out with a few days supply of food and some water
>purification tablets for themselves much of the hardship would have never
>happened.
>
>If the evacuees had the sense to become first-movers and evacuate
>themselves
>at the first-sign of danger, much of the hardship would never have
>happened.
>
>I realize some folks needed assistance to get out, but if the able-bodied
>were not leaning so hard on every system, more of the genuine needy would
>have
>received the help they needed.
>
>When the Pilgrims waded ashore at Plymouth Rock, they did not walk into a
>Red Cross shelter. The Salvation Army did not send them a truck full of
>clothing. And FEMA did not have trailers in place for them to move into.
>
>Lesson Learned:
>Every American needs to make their family self-sufficient for emergencies.
>
>Karen and I are leaving shortly for Mississippi. The SFA Chapter Pres in
>Jackson requested assistance for a number of veterans over there who
>apparently
>got wiped out between Jackson and Biloxi. I should be there by noon. Any
>SFers in that area please call me.
>
>Mike Linnane
>208 661-9936 cell
>_unclewest@aol.com_ (mailto:unclewest@aol.com)
>
>
>If you are a member or know a member needing assistance give Mike a call.
>Please, only use the number if is assistance is needed. He is very busy,
>as
>you can imagine.
>
>
>DE Oppresso Liber
>
>Mel Smith
>
>Secretary/Administrator
>
>Special Forces Association
>PO Box 41436
>Fayetteville, NC 28309-1436
>Tel: (910) 485-5433
>Fax: (910) 485-1041
>Email: _sfahq@sfahq.org_ (http://sfahq@sfahq.org/)
>Website: _http://www.sfahq.org_ (http://www.sfahq.org/)
>
>
>Please included Full Name and Member Number on all correspondence.
>
>Please check your facts before blindly forwarding misinformation
>
>
>
>

>They
>failed themselves and their families by not being prepared for an
>emergency
>and not having an evacuation kit.
>Department of Homeland Security has been preaching that we all must do
>this
>since they were founded three years ago.
>
>If the evacuees came out with a few days supply of food and some water
>purification tablets for themselves much of the hardship would have never
>happened.


I said that in an earlier post. Yes, it was a terrible tragedy, but people could have been more self-sustaining.

Once a year my wife and I pull out our emergency kit and replace anything that may be dated and verify it has everything we need. Needs change over time. It's a good idea for everyone. We don't do it incase of a terrorist attack or anything like that, but I guess it would be helpful then as well. North Carolina gets its share of beatings from Mother Nature. Hurricanes, ice storms, ect. If you don't have one of these kits that BinDer is talking about, I would recommend you make one. You may never have to use your emergency kit, which is what you are hoping for when you make it, but you'll be so thankful for it if you ever do need it.

Homeland Security has a website that has recommendations on what should be in your kit. It is such a simple thing to do and can make a big difference in an emergency.


Emergency Kit

I don't keep a ready made "kit" per se, but I do keep propane cylinders, canned goods, food and water on hand, not to mention assorted camping stoves, tents, lanterns, candles, lamps, flashlights, etc. on hand.

I have oil heat and hot water so there is always at least 100 gallons of #2 fuel on hand as well, though it is usually around 200-275 gallons as I have it filled regularly. 200 gallons would last me months even in the winter, especially if I used the fireplace and heat exchanger for heating home and water. I have enough wood on hand to heat and cook for about a month.

I keep 10-15 gallons of gasoline on hand in jerry cans well, mostly because I like to go and fill up all my cans at once for the weed wacker, chainsaw, lawnmower, etc.

The only area I am lacking in is firearms and a generator, but overall I could weather a storm or civil disaster and in a worst case scenario evacuate my family with enough supplies to live self sufficient for a week or two. I should probably take a refresher course on first-aid and make up a more thorough kit including anti-biotics.

I have the camping gear in several of those big Rubbermaid Totes, some of the other suppleis in ammo cans and the food in a well built and maintained cupboard in the kitchen. With all of the backpacks, spare containers etc. in my home I could have all of it packed and mobile in about an hour.

That is certainly less warning than the New Orleans residents got.

And none of this preparation was deliberate, it is just the result of owning a home, accumulating stuff over the years and having it somewhat organized. I'm far from a survivalist, but I do camp and spend a fair amount of time outdoors. I don't live anywhere near a flood plain, I'm 60 feet above the high tide line for the Delaware River, there are no levees and dams near me and I'm no more at risk for hurricanes than the rest of the NE USA.

In case of emergency - I'm going to Binder's house.

quote:

Originally posted by Shawn G:
In case of emergency - I'm going to Binder's house.

It would have to be one helluva' emergency to drive from Colorado to my house, like everything west of the Continental Divide fell in the Pacific Ocean!

I was actually just thinking that my coolerdor just might be the perfect survival container, it's waterproof, floats and it's full of 'gars!

I dont have a survival kit I have a survival room. I have several fresh cases of MREs and everything I would need from the arctic to the desert to the tropics. I also have an arsonal and enough ammo to supply a small army so if I need it and dont have it I can get it. I also have two horses and a canoe for transportation should the need arise. However being in the Army National Guard I would be activated and helping those that cant take care of themselves.

quote:

Originally posted by BinDerSmokDat:
It would have to be one helluva' emergency to drive from Colorado to my house, like everything west of the Continental Divide fell in the Pacific Ocean!

I better take some swimming lessons!

In a related topic, being from Miami and living through a bunch of nasty hurricanes in my day I am just flabergasted by how careless and foolhardy the people here in the DR are about hurricanes and being prepared for a storm. A year ago we got hit by a storm, I was in the supermarket getting everything I needed the day before it hit and I was amazed by the fact that there were few people in the market and those that were there were looking at me like I was from outer space because of all the canned food and water I had. The storm turned out to not be so bad but what if it had been? These people over here are the same types that are going to be yelling into a CNN camera that they dont have any food and that the US has forgotten about them. Come on, it's one thing if your a single guy and you can fend for yourself but if you have a family it's your responsibility as a man to take care of yourself and yours, that means buying what you need and being in a safe place. The people here aren't ignorant of the risks associated with hurricanes and neither are the people in new orleans, who can't afford a couple gallons of bottled water and some canned food from costco? It's irresposible to not prepare and it's that attitude of leaning on the gov't and lack of self sufficiency thats bringing the US down.

Couldn't have been said better DrAlejandro...If anything happens here in chicago. I am ready. Got my .22 pistol and I am prepared to take over the world with it!!!

quote:

Originally posted by raven35031:
I dont have a survival kit I have a survival room. I have several fresh cases of MREs and everything I would need from the arctic to the desert to the tropics. I also have an arsonal and enough ammo to supply a small army so if I need it and dont have it I can get it. I also have two horses and a canoe for transportation should the need arise. However being in the Army National Guard I would be activated and helping those that cant take care of themselves.

Raven are you "Burt" from the movie Tremors?

quote:

Originally posted by Smokiethebear:
Raven are you "Burt" from the movie Tremors?

Have not seen the movie yet.

quote:

Originally posted by raven35031:

quote:

Originally posted by Smokiethebear:
Raven are you "Burt" from the movie Tremors?

Have not seen the movie yet.

lol oh sorry. It's a pretty lame movie from a few years back but one of the characters has a room that is almost exactly like what you described.

quote:

Originally posted by Smokiethebear:

quote:

Originally posted by raven35031:

quote:

Originally posted by Smokiethebear:
Raven are you "Burt" from the movie Tremors?

Have not seen the movie yet.

lol oh sorry. It's a pretty lame movie from a few years back but one of the characters has a room that is almost exactly like what you described.

Well one never knows what tomorrow woll bring.

gotta love a reference to "tremors", it's what I call a USA and TBS special... they play it at least 3 or 4 times a week to fill time. Remember: the best way to avoid graboids is to jump from boulder to boulder or on top of the one eyed chinese guys general store FYI

Very true Dr.A, you could see a TBS commercial for "3 chances to watch" . Raven, very true, always gotta be ready .

I started collecting survival gear right after the Rodney King Riots in Calf. I noticed that the businesses that did not burn to the ground were the ones where the owner was on the roof with a military style semi auto rifle.

I realized that the likelyhood of a total break down of the local and federal government forever was not going to happen. However, Over the last 20 years we have seen countless times where the government was not in control for short periods of time. So I sat down and made a list of likely situations where I would have to survive on my own like tornados, hurricanes riots, ice storms, earthquakes, terrorist attacks to name a few. Then I took that list and wrote down what I would need if I had no electricity, water, heat, food ect... Then What I would need to protect myself and my friends and family like weapons, ammo, transportation, communications, medical supplies. From these lists I started collecting stuff I would need to survive for at least 3 months.

Remember when the crap really hits the fan the only person you can count on totaly is you and only the strong and well prepaired will survive.