Disaster Preparedness on the Homefront

Disasters can strike through weather, war, violence, accidents or finances. In these life altering moments everything that you know can be up for grabs. Preparedness in my view has always been essential to survival. Sometimes the most essential tool is your mind's ability to think fast and be creative in the face of unorthodox events.

In preparing on a personal survival level the traditional skills of obtaining necessities to "weather the storm" is always most important. Living in Connecticut you get used to preparing for hurricanes, nor'easters, wind storms, lightning storms, ice storms, floods, blizzards, terrorism, nuclear threats and the occasional tornadoes. We are used to preparing with stocking up on the essentials, food- both perishable and non-perishable, flashlights, candles, matches, internet phone service and back up lines of communication and battery operated radios. We check tires, keep scrapers, salt and sand, we stay alert for unusual situations that may be terrorist linked, we know safe places of nearby shelters; we have evacuation routes mapped out, watch weather and road conditions, carry pepper spray and are careful to watch for dangerous situations.

Yes, New Englander's have found over time that sometimes being prepared is a training process. We have learned that with each difficulty you encounter in life it brings you one step closer to mastering the skill of survival. There is much people can learn from watching shows like survivor, or reading the harrowing stories of survivors and their success at overcoming adversity. However the truth is that having a plan, having the essentials and a survival kit, is only at best half of what is needed to survive. In truth the greatest survival tool is the mind's ability to adapt and seek answers in light of difficult and quickly changing situations. I have found those who are unwilling to adapt are much like the animals who are extinct. In times of major catastrophe adaptation is the key ingredient to survival and it is from this place that I have prepared my family to be prepared and look beyond to find answers to weather "any" storm.