We have discussed some planning considerations for emergencies. This time let’s look at emergency evacuations. Emergencies, in most instances, do not happen when we are expecting them. If we were already expecting trouble, we would obviously be in a much better position to deal with the situation. Here are quick and simple long term and short term planning tools, in order to be prepared when things happen.
Short Term Evacuation Plans
Family Plan
If you are not ready, and your family is not together when you need to evacuate, then you need to have an emergency plan in place that includes where to go and what to do during an emergency, and everyone in your family has to know what their part is. Communications may or may not be operable during an emergency, so you must have these plans in place and understood well in advance. Even small children can learn that if something happens and they cannot go home, then they should go to Aunt Suzie’s house, or to meet you in front of the school for example.
Maps & Documents
Electronics are a wonderful thing, but always keep hard copies of important documents for emergencies, including maps. Google Earth may not be there when you need it most. If you need to find something in an emergency, such as an alternate route, a real map will save the day.
Shelter
Even if your emergency shelter plan is nothing more than a tent and some tarps, make sure you pack them away in good condition, and that they are easily accessible in an emergency. You may not have a lot of time to pack, or to dig up items.
Bedding
A couple sleeping bags and blankets will make surviving much more comfortable, or even possible. During the winter these can be a necessity rather than a luxury.
Clothing
Always keep 4 season clothing available. Even if it is the dead of winter or the peak of summer when you evacuate, you may not be able to get home as soon as you expect. Always take coats, jackets and boots, even if you are wearing shorts and flip flops.
Medical Supplies
Keep the emergency supply of medications, as well as a good first aid kit, ready to go at all times. Keep a good supply of supplies such as antibiotics, disinfectants and bandages. Make sure to include water purification supplies.
Food
Keep a supply of storable food, especially staples. Make sure to keep a good supply of the basics on hand, such as storeable protein, flour, sugar, salt and oil. Keep a supply of potable water on hand along with the food supplies.
Cooking Supplies
A set of dishes and soap, pots and pans, packed with a camp stove with fuel, or a grate to cook over a fire will go a long ways during an emergency situation.
Communications
This includes an AM/FM radio, 2 way radios, cell phones and chargers (even if they are not working at the time) or anything else you plan to use for communications.
Flashlights
The new LED flashlights are very bright, energy efficient, and are almost impossible to burn out as long as the batteries are good. Add a self charging/crank to the design and you are very well set for an emergency.
Batteries
For the devices that do not operate on human power, keep a good supply of batteries on hand as well.
Writing Supplies
Some writing tablets, pens or pencils, stamps and envelopes can be very useful post emergency evacuation. If communications capabilities are down, you may still be able to get a letter to your family letting them know your status and location. You may also want to keep a log or notes on events as you go, such as directions an locations.
Storage
Keeping all of these supplies together and accessible can be difficult and time consuming. Time may not be an available luxury during an emergency evacuation. Keeping your emergency supplies stowed in rubberized totes and ice chests, ready to grab and go, can save a lot of time and worry. It can also help prevent accidentally forgetting critical supplies.
Long Term Evacuation Plans
In addition to all of the above, consider what you would do if you cannot return home for an extended period-if ever, or there are no means of gathering supplies the ‘normal ‘ way. All of these things are wise investments, and can save our life in the event you need them.
Garden Supplies
Storing seeds and tools in order to grow your own food in an emergency situation can be the difference between survival and extinction. Make sure to store seeds that are not genetically engineered, as many will not reproduce.
Lumber Supplies
Supplies such as axes, mauls and hand saws will give you the ability to gather wood for heat, as well as the ability to build a shelter if needed.
Hunting Supplies
The ability to gather your own meat can be give you the means to provide food when other options have failed. This includes the means to cure or save the meat until you can use it.
Fishing Supplies
Fishing can also supply meat. Storing some tackle, line and poles away for emergencies is always a good idea near water supplies.
A little planning now, can go a long ways when you need it the most.
God bless.
Jeff Citizen
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Emergency Communications Planning
The ability to communicate electronically today is considered mundane, not even rating as a luxury in our technologically saturated world. Basic communication capabilities can be significantly reduced, or simply become nonexistent, during many emergency situations. Natural disasters can take out communications and power, system overload can prevent your call from getting through, and system administration can block public access for emergency use. Your personal emergency plans should prepare your family for what to do and where to go during an emergency without communications capabilities.
This guide is a basic outline for you to design an emergency communication plan for yourself and your family. It is not intended as a full emergency plan, this only addresses communication. You should develop your own internal communication procedures including callsigns, codes, signals and frequencies. Keep the plan simple yet effective. Keep your equipment simple, effective and as portable as possible. Keep spare parts to make emergency repairs. Learn your radio systems so you can maintain and repair them, and keep them working to the fullest. If you are able, keep additional batteries, radio units, antennas and cables as backups.
Frequencies & Bands
40 Meter and 80 Meter are the most commonly used SSB High Frequency bands for distance communication. 11 Meter/Citizens Band is the most commonly used AM band, but this band has limited distance capabilities or applications, and can be crowded. The most popular FM band is 2 Meter, which relies on repeaters to operate over distance. FRS Radios are the most common radio communications available to the public, and they also have limited distance capabilities.
Typically even very old HAM radios will cover 10M, 20M, 40M & 80M. You should set up multiple previously designated frequencies on the bands you intend to use. You should have multiple bands available to cover different eventualities. Designate multiple frequencies to monitor on all bands you will use. Alternate the frequencies used in order to reduce the capability of outsiders tracking your communications. If using SSB, alternate upper and lower sidebands at times as well.
Most Commonly Used Radio Frequency Bands
FRS-Family Radio Service-Local Use
Capabilities: Line Of Sight to Several Miles
Frequency Range: 462.5625- 462.725 MHz
2 Meter-Local to Distance Use
Capabilities: Typically 30 Miles Radio, Repeater Use Allows Greater Distance
Frequency Range: 144.0-148.0 MHz
10 Meter-Regional to Distance Use
Capabilities: Vary By Radio Power, Interstate Communication Typical
Frequency Range: 28.000-29.700 MHz
11 Meter-Citizens Band-Local Use
Capabilities: Line Of Sight to Several Miles
Frequency Range: 26.965- 27.405 MHz
20 Meter-Distance Use
Capabilities: Interstate to International Communications
Frequency Range: 14.000-14.350 MHz
40 Meter-Distance Use
Capabilities: International Communications
Frequency Range: 7.000-7.300 MHz
80 Meter-Distance Use
Capabilities: International Communications
Frequency Range: 3.500-4.000 MHz
160 Meter-Distance Use
Capabilities: International Communications
Frequency Range: 1.800- 2.000 MHz
Communication Checks
During an emergency situation, most people or groups will not have the luxury of monitoring the radio full time. Excessive use of communications gear is time consuming, uses additional resources that may be limited including electricity, and may also draw unwanted attention from others that are monitoring for communications. Due to this, a 3/6, 2/6/12 or 6/12 hour check in schedule may be preferable. The ability to accurately monitor and track time may be a problem during some emergency situations, so there should be some flexibility in the plan. Certain days or dates can also be set for checks, or you can set checks daily, weekly, etc.
Sample 6/12 Radio Check Schedule
0300 HRS - Optional/Emergency Check-1/2 HR Monitor
0900 HRS - Regular Check-1 HR Monitor
1500 HRS - Optional/Emergency Check-1/2 HR Monitor
2100 HRS - Regular Check-1 HR Monitor
Join A Communication Network
http://americanpreppersradionet.blogspot.com/
American Preppers has started a weekly radio check in. Check them out if you are a HAM. They are currently using the 20/40/160 Meter bands for weekly checks.
See you on the airwaves.
Jeff Citizen
This guide is a basic outline for you to design an emergency communication plan for yourself and your family. It is not intended as a full emergency plan, this only addresses communication. You should develop your own internal communication procedures including callsigns, codes, signals and frequencies. Keep the plan simple yet effective. Keep your equipment simple, effective and as portable as possible. Keep spare parts to make emergency repairs. Learn your radio systems so you can maintain and repair them, and keep them working to the fullest. If you are able, keep additional batteries, radio units, antennas and cables as backups.
Frequencies & Bands
40 Meter and 80 Meter are the most commonly used SSB High Frequency bands for distance communication. 11 Meter/Citizens Band is the most commonly used AM band, but this band has limited distance capabilities or applications, and can be crowded. The most popular FM band is 2 Meter, which relies on repeaters to operate over distance. FRS Radios are the most common radio communications available to the public, and they also have limited distance capabilities.
Typically even very old HAM radios will cover 10M, 20M, 40M & 80M. You should set up multiple previously designated frequencies on the bands you intend to use. You should have multiple bands available to cover different eventualities. Designate multiple frequencies to monitor on all bands you will use. Alternate the frequencies used in order to reduce the capability of outsiders tracking your communications. If using SSB, alternate upper and lower sidebands at times as well.
Most Commonly Used Radio Frequency Bands
FRS-Family Radio Service-Local Use
Capabilities: Line Of Sight to Several Miles
Frequency Range: 462.5625- 462.725 MHz
2 Meter-Local to Distance Use
Capabilities: Typically 30 Miles Radio, Repeater Use Allows Greater Distance
Frequency Range: 144.0-148.0 MHz
10 Meter-Regional to Distance Use
Capabilities: Vary By Radio Power, Interstate Communication Typical
Frequency Range: 28.000-29.700 MHz
11 Meter-Citizens Band-Local Use
Capabilities: Line Of Sight to Several Miles
Frequency Range: 26.965- 27.405 MHz
20 Meter-Distance Use
Capabilities: Interstate to International Communications
Frequency Range: 14.000-14.350 MHz
40 Meter-Distance Use
Capabilities: International Communications
Frequency Range: 7.000-7.300 MHz
80 Meter-Distance Use
Capabilities: International Communications
Frequency Range: 3.500-4.000 MHz
160 Meter-Distance Use
Capabilities: International Communications
Frequency Range: 1.800- 2.000 MHz
Communication Checks
During an emergency situation, most people or groups will not have the luxury of monitoring the radio full time. Excessive use of communications gear is time consuming, uses additional resources that may be limited including electricity, and may also draw unwanted attention from others that are monitoring for communications. Due to this, a 3/6, 2/6/12 or 6/12 hour check in schedule may be preferable. The ability to accurately monitor and track time may be a problem during some emergency situations, so there should be some flexibility in the plan. Certain days or dates can also be set for checks, or you can set checks daily, weekly, etc.
Sample 6/12 Radio Check Schedule
0300 HRS - Optional/Emergency Check-1/2 HR Monitor
0900 HRS - Regular Check-1 HR Monitor
1500 HRS - Optional/Emergency Check-1/2 HR Monitor
2100 HRS - Regular Check-1 HR Monitor
Join A Communication Network
http://americanpreppersradionet.blogspot.com/
American Preppers has started a weekly radio check in. Check them out if you are a HAM. They are currently using the 20/40/160 Meter bands for weekly checks.
See you on the airwaves.
Jeff Citizen
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