This document provides guidance on emergency preparedness. It discusses why individuals and communities need to be prepared to withstand emergencies lasting over 72 hours without government assistance. Key points made include: society is fragile and infrastructure could collapse; natural disasters, pandemics, terrorism or economic crisis could overwhelm response capabilities; and people should focus on faith, food, security, medical supplies and homesteading skills. The document stresses that most people have very little preparedness and encourages starting with basics like water, food stores and firearm safety. Overall it promotes self-reliance in case of emergency through prudent preparedness measures.

1. Preparedness 101
By: Arthur Davis BS, MS
Paramedic, firefighter, educator

3. Why do we need to engage in
Preparedness?
 The public is unprepared for an emergency lasting more
than 72 hours, a nationwide emergency or a multiple-region
event
 We live in a fragile society whose infrastructure and people
are threatened by emergencies from which our recovery may
be severely limited
 The government will not be able to help most people, i.e.
Katrina, Fran
 Any Federal response is based upon resources from the
States and Local agencies
 Preparedness less than 72 hrs (localized natural disasters)
will use the same concepts detailed here but with smaller
amounts & less redundancy-see www.fema.gov

4. Once Upon a
Time…..the Family was
the Center
• we have spent 3
decades promoting
individualism over the
family and community
•It is
family/community/
faith that will pull us
through adversity

5. It Has Been Written…………
 Mat 6:19-20; 24-34-know God, avoid worry &
greed ( not to be interpreted as avoid preparing)
 Gen 41:1-32 -Joseph- fed many after saving up
for a famine
 Gen 6:21- Noah- you are to take every kind of
food…
 1Tim 5:8- if anyone prepares for his family….
 Proverbs 27:12- the prudent man forsees
danger….
 Ecclesiastes 11:2- give a serving to seven and
also to eight……
 Mat 25:1-13- ....and those who were ready went in
with Him to the wedding (spiritual prep)

6. The US population is basically a
safe, well-provided for, well-
adjusted people with strong
infrastructure……..or so we
think?!
…Greeks, Romans, British and Communist Russia also
thought so
Lets Reflect………..

7. What are the risks that we
potentially face?
 Natural disasters – hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, etc
 Terrorism – explosives; dirty bomb; expansion of war-
martial law, fear
 Pandemic Flu – bird flu, smallpox- large numbers of
deceased; lack of medical services; inability to travel
 Internet/Gas pipelines/Power grid – our fragile
infrastructure is tied to these three entities and a disruption
in 1 would cause all three to collapse.
 Economic Collapse – hyperinflation of the dollar; high gas
prices; food and commodity shortages-civil unrest; looting;
rationing

8. The Key to Our Society
= power grid +internet +
gas supply
•The connection between
these 3 items cannot be
over-emphasized
•Neither can its
importance to our current
standard of living
•If one of these fails- they
all fail – and our society
basically goes back to a
pre-industrial society

9. The Big Risk we all face?.....
Economic Collapse
 Hyperinflation: costs more to buy same amt- the gov’t prints
money w/o end (QE 1-?) and prices on everything sky rocket;
spending ceases and economy grinds to a halt – Germany after
WWI
 Deflation: the dollar collapses in value and commodities drop in
value as well – Great Depression
 Poor Economic Growth:
 Unemployment Numbers – they are artificially low and do not represent
the underemployed and those who have stopped looking
 Banks are not lending – we have no growth in business or jobs
 NAFTA tied us to others & Euro problems will affect us
 QE is backed by derivatives & derivatives do not have sufficient
GDP to support them for long

10. Related Social Issues
 The generations that survived the Great Depression/WWII
grew up in modest means, had a work ethic & could
sacrifice….. the generations since then have lived in relative
opulence & had many entitlements
 When our economy collapses life will not be easy or nice-
when a people who have whatever they want, when they
want it, don’t get it….. they won’t be easy-going nor nice …in
other words- CIVIL UNREST & RIOTING
 As OF 2006, 50% of the total income in the US was
concentrated in the upper 10% of the population- almost
25% of the total income in the US was found in the upper 1%
 this is the greatest disparity in US history!

11. Change Happens…….

12. A Word on Revolutions………
 Extreme economic inequality
 Economic shock-’08
 Failed “Change”- failure of rising expectations: unemployment; health care;
cost of living increases- in opinion of > half the population
 Weak Middle Class- relative deprivation: not destitute but at a lower
economic level than one expected to be & less hope of improvement
 Feeling of Distrust / Incompetence in Gov’t- wars; immigration; Katrina;
threat of gov’t shut –downs; local gov’ts going bankrupt; sequestration; fiscal
cliff- in opinion of > half the population
 Spark- trigger of conflict: 2nd economic shock; terrorist attack
 Series of unplanned reactions to a series of cascading events
 Led by middle class NOT lower classes (due to anomie among lower)
 Seemingly out of nowhere (Soviet collapse in ‘89)-but in reality trigger
points simmer under the surface of society
 Most revolutions occur after a long period of foreign conflict- producing
ready-trained veterans at home: Iraq & Afganistan
 Most revolutions occur after a period of political
stagnation/polarization

13. Normalcy Bias
 The pervasive, misinformed idea that bad things will
never happen, or effect our region or ourselves
 The Reality is: that crime is at an all time high; we are
wide open to another terrorist event- our stores hold
enough food & fuel for an avg suburban population for
24 hrs (w/o re-stock)- we as a people are completely
dependent on technology for ADLs & lifestyle
 We are focused on secularism & immediate
gratification
 The concept of Self- Sufficiency has been bred out of
us & neglected
 Even rural America (pop. < 2000) is dependent on
technology for many things for daily life

14. Extreme Apocalyptic Thinking
 i.e. “Doomsday Preppers”
 This other extreme is also less than helpful
 Meteors, a “New Ice Age”, the “Super-
volcano” & other extinction-level events
 can all happen but are very unlikely & unlikely
successful in preparing for
 One must be balanced in any prepping
approach & not over-emphasize a
particular aspect- i.e. guns, bombs, etc
 Normalcy bias is still a bigger threat than
this by many factors

15. The Masses are Wholly Unprepared
Levels of Preparedness- 0-5
0- Typical apt dweller; travels for employment; eats out mostly & lives
out of a suitcase; the first dead or refugees
1- Typical urban/suburban home owner; limited food; no disaster
mindset or kit; likely unprotected from social violence
2- A homeowner that has 48-72 hrs worth of supplies; knows local
risks; has a plan for 72 hrs; assumes help from gov’t
3- A homeowner that has 3 -6 mos. worth of stored food/H2O; a
redundant means of security; some back-up power; has some basic
wilderness/medical competence; likely has a garden; knows help
may not come for some time
4- Has 1 yr stored food/H2O; a means to reliably replenish food/H2O
stores continuously; several levels of security; lives at a retreat or
can get to one; has a grp of like-minded preppers; has reliable
renewable energy in place; has a store of precious metals/barter
goods
5- Lives isolated, completely off the grid; is completely self sufficient;
unaware of many potential threats

16. Some Things to Ponder……
 Most know where the nearest Costco is, but where is your
nearest food distribution center or restaurant supply?
 Where would you get medicine if the pharmacies are empty?
 Many own a generator; what do you do when the gas runs
out or the pumps have no power?
 What do you do when you call 911 & there is no answer
because police, fire & EMS stayed home for their families?
 When is the best time to evacuate? How? To where?
 Could you shoot someone in self-defense?
 What does it mean if your State refuses to send its NG &n
resources to help the Fed gov’t?
 We have never faced a national emergency that has affected
all (or most) of the 50 States
 80% of the US is currently at Level 2 Preparedness or below

17. The Focus of Preparedness
 What exactly does “prepared” mean?
 What are the priorities?
 Can I do this where I live?
 What I am I not knowledgeable in?
 Could I live in a pre-industrial society-result of a rapid
decline?
 Do I have to get used to a life similar to the 1930s-1940s-
result of a slow decline?
**It really all depends on how much, and how close together,
the ”dominoes fall” as to whether we have a slow societal
decline- that can be responded to- or it is a rapid societal
decline -that cannot be managed by government**

18. Public Response to Disasters
 Event
 Cooperation- most work together initially & hope for relief
 Conflict- when relief does not come or resources dwindle
 Chaos- break down of law & order
 Re-Alignment- survivors bond & re-group
 Evil-doers also re-group
 6 mos. After the chaos, those surviving will have survival skills
 Groups will form around a common culture/ideal
 Fear people/groups without a moral compass (faith)
 Foreign governments?!
 Return to New Normal- a changed region/country ; new
gov’t; sectionalism
Time frames on these periods vary according to culture &
precipitating event

19. When things start to fall apart…..
 When will you know it is the beginning of a
rapid national decline?
 A run on the banks & stores
 Power grid, gasoline & internet disruptions
 Rioting/unrest begins (the first sign of such)
 Your friends &neighbors in Public Safety don’t go to
work
 Martial law is declared- it is likely too late
 You are in heaven with Jesus watching all of this
 THINGS CAN UNRAVEL VERY QUICKLY SO
BEING PREPARED AHEAD OF TIME IS
ESSENTIAL
 We are already currently showing signs of a slow
decline

20. ….It May Fall Apart Very Quickly!
 The Roman Empire (really their gov’t &
control) fell apart over a period of yrs-
their society was agrarian & de-
centralized so everyday life cont’d as
normal overall
 We are very centralized & have a much
more technologically based
infrastructure- so we would likely fall
down to the pre-industrial level much
faster

21. BIBLE-BEANS-
BULLETS-
BANDAIDS-
BUTTRESSING

22. Core of Preparedness
 It really does not matter whether your
concern is a natural disaster, slow
economic downturn or a rapid
economic/societal decline
 These five areas comprise what you will
need to survive, thrive and/or develop
self-reliance

24. FAITH- “BIBLE”
 When law breaks down there needs to be a foundation for
society- people need guidance
 People will need and be looking for something solid to
cling to and derive support
 When catastrophic events occur they are frequently
interpreted in biblical terms- many times not accurately
 Many do not have Jesus
 We as Christians need to be here to spread God’s word
 When Jesus returns, he will return to a populated Earth-if
we have the means to survive provided for us, we should use it to
help others- God provides to people thru other people in order to
achieve his purposes as well as by His direct hand
Get-Started Point- find faith; find out what Jesus can do for
you; bring the Word to others

25. Moral Responsibility
 Those of us that have the means &
abilities to help ourselves and survive
are blessed
 The physically & developmentally
disabled, elderly and orphaned will have
no safety net when the gov’t ceases to
aid them
 In times of trouble we especially have a
calling to help those of lesser means
and abilities

26. FOOD- “BEANS”
 Water stored and a means to purify it- natural source is
ideal
 Nutritious canned food stored in temp sensitive
environs
 A garden for growing vegetables; planting fruit trees
 A means for hunting & owning/access to livestock plus
cooking w/o utilities
 Gaining the ability to can, dry & preserve/store food
 Your water/food supplies must be replenishable
 The scope of your needs is based on the number of
people you need to collectively support
Get Started Point- Secure a water source(s)- IT IS YOUR FIRST
PRIORITY; start buying a supply of canned food

28. SECURITY- “BULLETS”
 You need guns despite the contrary views on gun
ownership- criminals WILL use them and the police
will not be there to bail you out
 A shotgun & a rifle is a good start plus 1000 rounds
of ammo- you also need to learn how to use them
 Learn the basics of home defense- locks; perimeter;
warning devices
 Own a medium-large dog w/ basic obedience
 Decide early if you are staying or leaving your home
when things turn bad
Get Started Point- buy a shot gun & take a gun safety
course

29. Basics of Defense

30. MEDICAL CARE-
“BANDAIDS”
 Take an EMT course for basic medical care
concepts (preferably a Wilderness EMT course)-
any community college will offer this
 Begin stockpiling medical supplies plus OTC &
any Rx meds needed
 A formally trained MD/RN/medic will be needed
once you form a group
 Get vaccinated PRN & get dental work up to date
 Prevention of injury/illness will be a watchword
after a collapse- organized health care will be very
limited
Get Started Point- start a fitness routine & quit
tobacco use

31. Knowledge- Supplies- Skills-
Prevention

32. HOMESTEADING-
“BUTTRESSING”
 Organize; Acquire; & begin Rotating food in a pantry (O.A.R.)
 Implement an alternative energy source(s) (solar, generator,
etc) for a freezer, batteries, radio, flashlights, etc- your power
must be replenishable
 Buy lithium-ion rechargeable batteries in all sizes
 Work out the logistics of sanitation with no power grid for
your home
 Eventual replacements for mass produced cleaners, soap,
insecticides, etc will need to be made
 Decide where you will develop your post-collapse
home/retreat before investing
 Repair, Reuse & Re-issue of many things from clothes, tools
to grease & foodscraps
Get Started Point- clean out your house & throw out all non-
essential items or junk

34. And If It Does Not Fall Completely
Apart…..a Slow Decline
 A very depressed economy w/ law & order will
produce a very different world from what we are
used to
 Even if order & gov’t is maintained crime/conflict
will rise - some element of security will be needed
 Life will become more self-reliant out of necessity-
Repair, Reuse & Re-issue will be watch words
 Shortages & power outages will likely be
common- a garden, well-stocked pantry & a back
up power source would be prudent
 Food & Medicine should be your priorities
 You will need to become much less dependent on
cell phones & internet-based ADLs

35. You Will Need a Store of Wealth as
a Hedge Against Inflation

36. One More Thing(s)……..
 You don’t need to do this yourself; start
thinking how to collaborate
 Start & secure a stash of silver coins to
use as currency in a post-collapse world
 Silver is more denominizable than Gold
 Barter items to stock up on:
 flour/wheat grain; salt; sugar
 ammunition (in common calibers)
 ETOH; coffee; tea
 fuels

37. G0 or
STAY?

38. Staying Put/Evacuation - Choosing a
Retreat Location
 Your priorities & retreat attributes will remain
the same regardless of staying or leaving
 This decision will depend greatly on where you
live now
 4 Options:
 Leave for a retreat that your extended family or you
will live
 Leave for a cooperative retreat w/ pre-established
members
 Stay where you are & collaborate
 Stay where you are & stick w/ family

40. City/Urban
**You need to “Get Out of Dodge”
(G.O.O.D.)**
 Looting; riots; fires & lack of resources
 Disease will be rampant in a short time
 Evacuation needs to be done in advance at
first sign of unrest - before gridlock
 All utilities are tied to the grid
 sanitation, water, gas
 The ability to defend & provide for yourself
will be extremely limited

41. What’s wrong with the Suburbs?

42. Suburban
 Not optimum but feasible for a retreat in certain
cases
 If w/n 20 mi of a city; surrounded by cities; and/or
in congested sub divisions---G.O.O.D.
 If closer to rural areas- assess your defensibility,
ability to grow & hunt, access to water
 Most homes are not set up for living w/o modern
utilities
 Lack insulation; screens; traditional fireplace
 You will need assistance with transporting
necessities to your home
 most suburban areas are not set up for homesteading
needs- parcels of arable land; wooded areas w/ game;
running water

43. This Looks Secluded and
Safe…….

44. Rural/Farm
 You are likely in the second best position of the
four
 Your visibility & isolation could make you a target
 How close are you to an interstate? (refugees)
 What is your wildland fire & flood danger?(no fire
response post-collapse)
 How much help do you need to defend & work the
land? Do you have non-motorized farm
implements?
 Alabama; Mississippi; Georgia; No. & So.
Carolina; Tennesee (these states do not depend on
irrigation & have longer growing seasons than Midwest &
mild winters)

45. I Will Lift Up My eyes to the
Hills….Psalm 121

46. Rural- Mountains
 The best area for a retreat/home in post-
collapse world
 Montana; Eastern Washington & Oregon;
Idaho; Wyoming; rural Colorado-Adirondack,
Green, Sierra Nevada, Smoky & Blue Ridge Mnt regions
 Best access to water & natural resources
 Limited populations & far from potential
urban area refugees
 Most defensible

47. Retreat Attributes
 As far as possible from population centers, interstates,
& avenues refugees will take
 Access to replenish able water sources
 An adequate amt of arable land for your group size
 An area that is defensible 360 degrees
 Access to wood but also have optimum sunlight
 A well ventilated & insulated bldg(s)
 Wild-land fire & flood protection
 Like-minded neighbors
 Assess proximity to industrial centers- pollution,
hazmat, fires
Get-Started point: research your locale & look at your
home; determine whether you are best suited to stay or
look elsewhere

48. Evacuation-G.O.O.D.
 You need pre-determined route(s) to your retreat location
 Caching or pre-staging supplies at the retreat location is
advised as more than 72 hrs may be needed for the trip-
limits what you haul as well
 Family valuables could also be added- this could be a
permanent move
 Vehicles- a 4x4 crew cab truck; solid SUV(set up for off-road)
is the preferred G.O.O.D. vehicle
 Fuel must be stored to allow for the trip (pumps dn work if
grid down)- diesel would be best
 You must be ready to go quickly before the highways are
impassible
Get Started Point- research & stock a G.O.O.D. bag for each
family member

49. How to Form-Join a Group
 Honesty; trustworthiness; faith in God; good work
ethic; ability to teach; “Could I depend on this
person with my life?”
 Friends & family are a natural starting point
 At least 3-4 people at a good fitness level & are
proficient & seasoned with firearms
 You will need a medical specialist;
mechanic/tradesman; gardener; leader/organizer
 If joining- What are your marketable
skills/knowledge & resources?
 General preparedness competence for all
members-start education early as groups grows &
matures

50. Save Money NOW……
 Keep $ out of reach of U.S.- Swiss; India or invest in tangibles
 Buy Gold & Silver- consider undeveloped farm land
 Diversify-Long haul- Commodities (not traded in U.S. dollar)- Index
stocks- Lrg, well-diversified companies (GE, GF, Boeing, defense
industries)
 Max contributions or start a 401K- Roth
 No 2nd Mortgage & pay down existing- change to fixed rate
 Used reliable transportation
 Get out of the “high-rent district”
 Buy bulk- spend less on needs
 Use lower cost education options
 Avoid capital gains taxes on inherited assets- in your name or on
deed for 2 yrs
 End frivolous spending

51. Resources
 www.fema.gov
 www.survivalblog.com
 www.radiofreeredoubt.com
 www.ncpreppers.com
 www.PrepperPress.com
 The Encyclopedia of Country Living- Carla Emery
 Just in Case: How to be Self-Sufficient When the
Unexpected Happens- Kathy Harrison
 How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It-
James W. Rawles
 Holding Your Ground- Preparing for Defense if it All Falls
Apart- Joe Nobody
 Wilderness First Responder Textbook- Buck Tilton
 http://carolinareadiness.com/ (Western Carolina Readiness
Store)
 http://homestead.org
*The information contained in this PPT is a combination of my research & knowledge plus information found in the references cited as resources on this page