Countdown to Preparedness

Communication is vital for overall preparedness. First, you need a way to receive news from the world around you. Second, you need to be able to communicate with your family and retreat group. This week, we concentrate on the first element and tackle the second one later.

We live in a time of instant communication. We routinely receive news from around the world in little more than a heartbeat. Thirty years ago, if I wanted to send a message to a friend in the UK, my choices were a very expensive phone call or a letter that could take a week or more to arrive. Today, I can send an e-mail and receive a response in a matter of minutes. I can also log in to a chat room and enjoy instantaneous communication.

We tend to take such things for granted. In these uncertain times, that instant communication could come to a screeching halt for any number of reasons. We may not have the Internet to provide us with news from around the country or even in our own towns. We may not even have local TV broadcasts.

Fortunately, there are some options available to us. First, invest in a decent-quality crank radio. These types of portable radios can be powered by simply turning a crank for a few minutes. Often, they come with lights, sirens, and other doodads. The critical thing is the radio. Make sure the one you get can receive AM/FM as well as shortwave and NOAA weather broadcasts. Play around with it for a while so you fully understand how to tune in stations of interest to you. Even in the most dire recent disasters, there were radio broadcasts to listen to for up-to-date information. These vital pieces of equipment have come down in price and can be found at most retailers, such as Walmart and Target.

Another piece of equipment that’s handy is a police scanner. They’re a bit pricier than the crank radios, but you can sometimes find them used if you hunt around. You’ll need to program the scanner to receive the radio traffic in your area, but this is a simple procedure. These scanners allow you to listen in on the chatter between police officers, rescue squads, fire departments, and all manner of other emergency response agencies. Doing so can give you a heads-up on what’s going on locally. Obviously, these run on electricity, so invest in a battery pack for when the power goes out. If this is something that interests you, I’d highly encourage you to visit with a knowledgeable person in your area to ensure you get the right equipment. While your mileage may vary, I’ve often had great experiences with the folks at my local Radio Shack. Something you want to determine right away is whether your local police and fire departments have moved to digital transmissions, which is becoming increasingly common. If that’s the case, then the older models of scanners won’t be of use to you, and you’ll need to explore other options, such as investing in the more expensive digital scanners.

WEEK 36 ASSIGNMENTS

TASKS

1. Begin shopping around for basic communication equipment, including a crank radio or police scanner. Hit up your local Craigslist and Freecycle groups.

2. If it’s been a while since you last approached an extended family member or friend who’s reluctant about prepping, consider doing so this week. Remember, the more people you “convert” to being prepared, the fewer who might end up knocking on your door during a crisis.

SAVINGS

Add $15 to your Prepper Savings Account.

TOTAL PREPPER SAVINGS ACCOUNT:

WATER STORAGE

One gallon (or two 2-liter bottles) per person or a case of bottled water for the household.

TOTAL WATER STORAGE:

GROCERY LIST

3 cans vegetables, your choice

2 cans fruit, your choice, but stick with those packed in water or juice, rather than syrup

2 cans meat (tuna, chicken, beef), your choice

2 cans soup, not condensed (they require water)

1 jar instant coffee (even if you don’t drink coffee, this is an excellent barter item)

1 box granola bars, protein bars, or equivalent

1 treat, such as bagged popcorn or chips, bag of hard candy, or chocolate bars

1 lb pasta, your choice