Preparing for potential disaster

Whether it be man-made or natural, a disaster can happen at any time. We’ve had examples of both recently, although neither event resulted in an actual disaster. The earlier missile attack scare in Hawaii and our significant earthquake this past week are good examples. Thankfully, early-alert systems were in place in both instances so there was some warning. One could argue not enough warning, but that’s a topic for another discussion.

The Hawaii missile crisis was entirely man-made and ended up being an “oops” on the part of the folks responsible for their early warning system. A lot of people received a good scare but nothing worse, thankfully. I understand the folks in Hawaii are taking corrective actions so that mistake doesn’t happen again.

Our earthquake was very real, and the tsunami warning system had people all around the coastal perimeter of Alaska headed for higher ground. That’s tough when it happens in the early morning hours in the middle of winter! Again, the warning proved to be unnecessary as no significant tsunami developed, but I’m glad they issued it anyway. Better to be safe than sorry!

In the “prepper” community, either or both events provided a chance to test how well-prepared folks were for a disaster. I’m not a “prepper,” but I have read some of the books oriented that direction. I’ve been a hunter all my life, lived remote for about 15 years in my job with Fish and Game, and actually received limited training on coastal survival techniques during my employment with the state.

I’m no expert in survival and/or “prepper” methodology, but I think I could do alright if something did happen and I wasn’t injured in the process.

A lot of us hunt, fish, and camp in Alaska. We have the gear and the experience to accomplish these activities. Those are all major steps in being prepared to deal with a disaster.

There’s a fair amount of literature available about having a “bug-out” bag ready to go in the event you are required to leave or abandon your home. Every author I’ve read has a slightly different list of necessary supplies to be included in that bag and differing suggestions on how to survive. Some have recommendations on what to have in the event you have use of your vehicle when leaving and others only deal with a backpack approach to “bugging out.”

On the news the other night, the American Red Cross had a short segment about suggested items carriable in a daypack. There have been multiple stories from other sources covering the topic as well. The bottom line is to be prepared ahead of time if you are called on to evacuate in the event of a major disaster.

Personally, given the option, I would prefer to stay home if the structure itself was safe and standing. I had a back-up generator installed years ago, so loss of electrical power is not a problem. I have a limited supply of fuel to run the generator, which we would use to operate the well and heaters, have limited lighting, and keep the freezers and refrigerators operating.

I am blessed with having a small motorhome, which can easily serve as a “back up” home in the event our house became unlivable. While I have a small selection of tents, I’m getting too old to enjoy tent-camping in the middle of winter! The RV could also double as the “escape” vehicle if that requirement arose.

Like most Alaskans who have lived remote, we have a good supply of food in the house, including some, so-called, “survival” foods. These products tend to be freeze-dried or packaged specifically to maintain a long shelf life. I also have a small supply of fuel to keep the heaters running.

Most of you who hunt or camp already have most of what you might need in an emergency. Tough, warm clothing; tents and sleeping bags; cooking equipment; firearms and knives; tarps; and other related gear are already yours if needed. Having an ATV or snowmachine further enhances your mobility locally if necessary.

We have some experience with this disaster business which we gained during the Miller’s Reach fire in 1996. Once we were allowed back in to our house, which did survive, we used the generator to keep the freezers cold and to access well water to put out hot-spots in the yard. I was also armed, since looters were a concern and seem to appear during any disaster event.