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| George Bressler, the NIUSR's "Community SMART Leadership" conference organizer; Associate Professor, San Diego State University for Homeland Security. Here he takes his first hula lesson at the opening night's Festive Hukilau. The word "hukilau" is Hawaiian for community celebration, the theme of NIUSR 2010 Day in San Diego. |
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AFTER ACTION REPORT:
NIUSR “COMMUNITY SMART LEADERSHIP” AND HUMANITARIAN CARE CONFERENCE, SAN DIEGO, JAN 31ST – FEB 1ST, 2010
LOIS CLARK MCCOY
PRESIDENT, NIUSR
FEB. 6, 2010
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The atmosphere of the conference was electric. LGEN John Dubia’s opening “Welcome Change” and George Bressler’s follow up with “Dare to Open the Door” set the spark of electricity that characterized the entire two days. As moderator and orchestrator, George nurtured innovation, spontaneity, and relationship building throughout the two days so people came away refreshed and empowered by the NIUSR family in a wonderful way. Many of those who came shared some of their accomplishments in helping the world this last year (Kim Guevara, Jeff Ribel, Terry Ryan, Jack Deasy, and many others).
This was two days of new information, new ideas, new technology, new relationships, and enhanced twists to the 21st-century speed that is now required of all of us. The concept of a “Surge Response for Catastrophic Events,” the concept of “Scales of Risk” to evaluate the allocation of resources to specific classes of events, flooding, dam breaks, urban interface fires, high rise fires – San Diego even gave us the opportunity of see their great fire response to (luckily a small fire) that occasioned a partial evacuation of the 28-floor Conference Hotel). Real, not an exercise! Joy to watch.
Of course Haiti was the impetus for much of the conference and the humanitarian care. The first day was enthralling - Luke Beckman of InSTEDD shared extraordinary throughput of response from Open-Source community in profound ways. First-hand information was pouring into the convention from the island and the tales of cooperation among all the International and U.S. providers was the greatest we had ever seen. The United Nations undertook the original leadership but was overcome by the size of the disaster and their small, on-scene contingent. The Haitian Red Cross was up front and available. Everyone was overwhelmed but volunteers from all over the world showed up to help. Doctors Without Borders, 7 Harvard Docs, 7 of our NIUSR members from different organizations: World Cares Center, K.I.D. project, the HALO Corporation, InSTEDD, and Viz Center were and mostly are still there.
InSTEDD was one of first on the ground and set up a great system of communication with their logistics sections in the States, beautiful reach back from Dr. Eric Rasmussen and others back to states and nurturing wonderful humanitarian networks from Ushahidi to Sahana to InRelief and many more - all working with each other and wearing hats like crisis mappers. Dr. Wells talked about the work of APAN and other groups; Luke Beckman talked about incredible things with InSTEDD and Ushahidi, Fletcher School (Tufts), Viz Center and literally thousands of folks involved in open-source saving of lives and doing amazing things. Maps from InRelief.org by Viz Center/Navy were reflection of many in the NIUSR family as well, with the terabytes of data shared into many of the open-source efforts including with the Navy P-3 photography and video, OpenStreetMap, and dozens of others for the ongoing recovery and beginning of rebuilding. NIUSR was involved all around. Transporting the data from Haiti to the US and the host of teams working on this by BGANs was highlighted by Jack Deasy as information flow for this disaster has been dramatically different in profound ways using power of networks of people and comms.
Getting stuff into Haiti was difficult. Distributing it was a worse nightmare. But that was the opportunity for NGOs and near real-time maps to help organize and assist everyone. Video of P-3 delivery of food and interaction of people gave a real view of what was there and helped define where the refugee (IDP) camps were and plan on how to get the food to them (like FedEx delivery planning might be done). Cooperation of the Haitian people themselves was wonderful, no matter what you read in the news. Yes, you didn’t want to walk alone after midnight in a strange city that was in ruins. Do you do that in your big cities here at home? Not often, I betcha.
The pivotal presentations by Lin Wells, distinguished professor, National Defense University, and Eric Frost, San Diego State University, gave informed guidance for future process and procedures suited to this age of speed. Speed in transportation, in technology, in thinking; in adapting to our new world, especially with trust networks. Folks like Brad Barker (HALO) and John Graham, and Steve Birch from Viz Center who would normally be there were working on Haiti in the background and helping NIUSR be part of the solution even as some of the family was gathered to meet and share. We showed maps from them (InRelief.org) and PPT from Brad to be aware of what the NIUSR family was doing solving the problems as we spoke. It is a team effort that we at NIUSR are deeply privileged to serve others with expertise and compassion.
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| It's never too young to give a random act of kindness. In the background: Deanna Polk, NIUSR Special Events Chairman and force behind the wonderful fun of the luau. |
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The stories of the experiences from building a ranch in Brazil (Dottie Howe), to captaining a Coast Guard cutter to the Mediterranean (John Clay), to how to get the world to beat a path to the door of your idea (Barbara Gaughen), to working on USNS Mercy with civ-mil operations (Deanna Polk) were electrifying. New relationships were built with Lois sharing her friends with the rest of the family. Dr. Rodrigo Robledo from Mexico shared his enthusiasm for working together on the border and also partnering with NIUSR for places around the world - family continues to grow.
George’s insight into how to put humanitarian assistance together and suggestions for major effort this summer (Operation 24) helped focus us on “where can we make progress forward?” The rhythm of the meeting was that there was a continuation after the meeting - the meeting was the beginning of shaking a stick at it, but how do we shake the sticks in even more effective and impactful ways than so remarkably described?
But the real story is the following day, six of those involved thought to capture that glorious cooperation that we all believe in and so rarely find in everyday life. We stole the idea and implemented its concept by stealing all the best ideas of the previous two days and of the six noble organizations that opened the door to change.
The concept was simple. We would put a loose “string” around all the cooperative folks that showed up in Haiti, open to all and to those others who wished to find a “hook”, an “umbrella” to cooperate, coordinate, a coalition, some way to Hook Up with similar humanitarian efforts in the devastation and disorganization that naturally accompany catastrophic events, both at home and abroad.
How many times have we tried this idea? We found a model and borrowed it from a novel (Louis L’Amour, The Walking Drum) about the merchant caravans in the days of the Medieval Ages when they solved their logistics for their trade caravans. There were merchant caravans in those days where 500 carts, owned by dissimilar races, states, religions, all traveling from Northern France (Brittany in those days) through Constantinople and on to the Middle East and as far as India. They were mutually supportive, shared in the work of the travel, and kept their own identities and the profits from the Bazaars that they set up en route.
They carried their own provisions, tools, security, and sleeping arrangement for their families who traveled with them. It could take three years for that long journey. Some dropped off at cities before that. Some joined in cities en route. They never stole from the people as they passed because those were the same people who would travel from all the area to the city where they set the Bazaar. We still use that word today although “mall” has recently become more popular and it no longer moves to the people. Rather we move to it. In my early days we had door-to-door salesman for men’s stockings and books. They were called “drummers”. Isn’t it interesting to see the origin of so much of our daily lives go back many centuries. Well this generation is needing some help in Cooperation instead of so focusing so much on Competition in our World - “For Helping People in Dire Need”. Now we have the Walking Drum. tambou K'ap mache'
You ask, how did they do that without the Internet? Aha! They used the “Walking Drum”. It traveled on a cart and was large and its “Boom, Boom” could be heard the length of the forest as the caravan traveled. It kept the pace, the pulse, and the heart of the caravan. By traveling at the speed of the beat of the drum, everyone kept in line. None pushed ahead of those in front. When a cart threw a wheel or a horse a shoe, all turned to help those near so the delay was minimal and the remainder behind could soon catch up since togetherness was their protection from bands of scoundrels who existed in those days too.
Imagine, 500 carts, each with six oxen to pull it. Imagine the amount of hay they had to carry. The food, the water. The system worked for over a century. The caravan was divided into groups with like skills or trades. So, we are copying their good ideas and adding some of our experiences in today’s world as well.
So with the encouragement of a NIUSR “coalition of willing”, we are starting on an endeavor that all might call crazy, but it has struck a chord and is birthing a life of its own. And it’s open to all. No fee at this stage. No Head at this stage. One will undoubtedly have to be elected or “appear” magically but for now, its honor alone. The criteria for participating is simple: Ethics, Fortitude, and Goodfellowship. Setting up groups will make it tactically useful for small gatherings of like interest and expertise, like carts. “Let’s Roll!”
Break these rules and your Group Nexus “will see you dropped by nightfall” says Lois. For now the Group Nexus will try to enlist known organizations as “carts” in the Walking Drum. He/she may not know you, so read their email and offer to participate in groups (carts) that are appealing. It’s simple and if it worked for a century why not try it again! This time the drum will be the: NETWORK OF THE “Walking Drum”.
I forgot to mention the delightful Luau of our Hukiluau (Hawaiian for Community Celebration). Beautiful weather in a gorgeous park with a bandstand that we used as a stage. Great drumming!!! Great Hawaiian and Tahitian and Samoan dancing and food. Some of our presenters were “forced” into trying those dances with the ladies/men from the group; some good sports! What fun as a reward for hard work during those two days of learning. Deanna Polk worked her heart out putting it together, along with help from Homeland Security students from SDSU who helped retain the spot, provide the furniture, and put it on. Deanna even danced for us (another hat she wears from living in Hawaii), as did John Clay and others, wow, unknown talent.
Here is the beginning outline of the Caravan of the “Walking Drum”:
DRAFT THE WALKING DRUM IS MOVING
In San Diego we kick-started the Walking Drum, title gained through consensus today. While in Haiti we will use the Haitian phrase tambou K'ap mache'. Whatever its name, It's walking! (Not “marching”).
Agreed to date: entity has a pulse. The focus of the caravan while at this time is Haiti, will continue wherever needed.
All of this, individually, has been at this game for the long haul. This time we have used the Creole words for Walking Drum tambou K'ap mache' Where ever the needs for humanitarian resources are needed, we will translate the words Walking Drum into their language. As an alternate, we will use the Haitian origin, tambou K'ap mache' as Haiti doesn’t threaten and points out the time and disaster of origin for the effort.
- Caravan by whatever title is open to all.
- Criteria for permanent place in caravan
- Ethics
- fortitude
- Goodfellowship
- Caravan will be made up of groups that have the same skills and focus.
- Each group will have a generic name reflecting their piece of the action.
- Groups will not be divided by divisions of payment, such as nilitary, gov’t, industry, etc. Those are classifications and not skills.
- Each group will have a nexus to contact and join.
- Group names will not be competing.
Walking Drum tambou K'ap mache' is for the People at Risk or In Need. No room for competition. We all are Walking for the same goal.
Founding Groups with suggested Nexus:
Suggested Additional Groups Invited:
| Training |
Tim Anderson? |
| Education |
Eric Frost? |
| Industry |
Jack Deasy? |
| Security |
Sid Heal?, Brad Barker? |
| Humanitarian Care? |
Eric Rasmussen or Dave Warner, or???? |
Examples of the foreseen structure below:
The Walking Drum tambou K'ap mache' (in alphabetical order). Many of you may be interested in one or more categories and want to help lead or co-lead things (beating the drum together). These are just some quick thoughts to get the juices going and the sticks moving in your hands. Got the beat?
| Transformation |
Nexus |
Lin Wells |
| TIDES: |
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Lin Wells |
| SDSU: |
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Eric Frost & George Bressler |
| CDM Tech |
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| Crisis Mapping |
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| CalPoly/SLO NPS? |
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| CalTech others |
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| Family |
Nexus |
Lenore Ealy |
| HOLD SAFE |
|
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| Project K.I.D.s |
|
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| Just My Project |
|
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| Humanitarian Care |
Nexus |
Eric Rasmussen, MD, MDM, FACP |
| World Cares Center |
|
|
| American Red Cross |
|
|
| UNICEF |
|
|
| OFDA/USAID |
|
|
| Logistics |
Nexus |
Brad Barker |
| HALO Corp. |
|
|
| Cisco Systems |
|
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| Medical |
Nexus |
Can Rasmussen be both?? Probably not wise. Which would Eric prefer? |
| Harvard Docs (Brad Barker) |
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| Doctors Without Borders |
|
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| Operations |
Nexus |
Jeff Ribel |
| SDSU |
|
|
| NDU |
|
|
| NIUSR |
|
|
| InSTEDD |
|
|
| Media |
Nexus |
????? |
| Gaughen Global Public Relations |
|
|
| KPBS |
|
|
| Networks |
Nexus |
Luke Beckman |
| Ushahidi |
|
|
| Crisis Mappers |
|
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| SDSU |
|
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| NIUSR |
|
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| US NORTHCOM |
|
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| US SOUTHCOM |
|
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| NGA |
|
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| Outreach |
Nexus |
Lois Clark McCoy ? |
| CARICOM Secretariat |
|
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| Research |
Nexus |
Eric Frost |
| Viz Lab/SDSU |
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| UCSD, dozens of other schools |
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| Univ. of West Indies |
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| Naval Research (ONR) |
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| CAL POLY –SLO |
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| CDM Technology |
|
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| NJIT/New Jersey Business Force |
|
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| Naval Postgraduate School |
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| Search & Rescue |
Nexus |
John Clay |
| DHS Task Forces |
|
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| International Urban Rescue |
|
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| NIUSR |
|
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| MRA |
|
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| Higgins Langley Fast Water |
|
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| NASAR |
|
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| AFRCC/CAP |
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| NGA |
|
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| US Forrest Service |
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| National Park Service |
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| BLM |
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Respectfully submitted with the great editorial help of Eric Frost
Lois Clark McCoy, President, NIUSR 6d
National Institute for Urban Search & Rescue
Risk, Readiness, Response, Resilience, Recovery
Participant : The Walking Drum (tambou K'ap mache')
PO Box 90909, Santa Barbara, CA 93190
Phone 805-569-5066
Cell 805-798-0169
email niusr@cox.net URL www.niusr.org
NIUSR creates, demonstrates, and implements the world’s
most effective emergency response and recovery solutions.
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THE TREE OF LIFE OF THE WALKING DRUM
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| Project K.I.D. co-founder Paige Ellison-Smith bringing a little happiness with a dancing game to children in Haiti after their loss of home and family in a home left standing and turned into a refuge for the children and a few surviving family members. |
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It’s simple and if it worked for a century why not try it again!
This time the drum will be the living tree of THE “WALKING DRUM” that is putting out branches and growing sturdier by the day.
In San Diego we kick-started the Walking Drum, title gained through consensus today. While in Haiti we will use the Haitian phrase tambou K'ap mache' Whatever its name, it's walking!! (Not “marching”).
Agreed to date: Entity has a pulse. The focus of the caravan while at this time is Haiti, will continue wherever needed. All of this, individually, has been at this game for the long haul. This time we have used the Creole words for Walking Drum tambou K'ap mache' Where ever the needs for humanitarian resources are needed, we will translate the words Walking Drum into their language. As an alternate, we will use the Haitian origin, tambou K'ap mache' as Haiti doesn’t threaten and points out the time and disaster of origin for the effort.
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The Caravan of “The Walking Drum” is open to all. Criteria for permanent place in caravan:
- Ethics
- FORTITUDE
- Good-fellowship
The Caravan will be made up of groups that have the same skills and/or focus. Each group will have a generic name reflecting their piece of the action. Groups will not be divided by divisions of payment such as military, gov’t, industry, etc. Those are classifications and not skills. Each group will have a nexus to contact and join. Group names will not be competing. Walking Drum tambou K'ap mache' is for the people at risk or in need. There is no room for competition. We ALL are walking for the same goal.
Founding Groups with suggested Nexus:
There are more to come. This is an unfinished list for carts in the caravan. Do you have an idea? Please send it to the office below.
Secretariat: “The Walking Drum”
Rescue, Risk, Readiness, Response, Resilience, Recovery
PO Box 90909, Santa Barabara, CA 93190
Participant : The Walking Drum (tambou K'ap mache')
PO Box 90909, Santa Barbara, CA 93190
Phone 805-569-5066
Cell 805-798-0169
Email niusr@cox.net
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| The “Blackbird”, SR-71, could fly at Mach 3, with a 2 man crew On view in the Forecourt of the San Diego Air & Space Museum |
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White Paper: by Lois Clark McCoy, President and CEO
National Institute for Urban Search & Rescue, Inc.NIUSR5
The Topic “The Fifth Dimension” seems to be generating more heat than usual in these days of Rapid Change. As individuals, as organizations and as nations, changes all the rules of social intercourse, as well as governing bodies. To make that jump into instant speed; to not be left behind as a Luddite, we need to dive into the water and learn how to swim in what is now the Main Stream. We are heading for the new “Normal” which will become our everyday world as we proceed into the 21st Century.
We in NIUSR are wrestling with this 5th Dimension. Its exponential speed has succeeded in changing our perception of our world and our new Century. In comparison to the speed of change experienced in the World after the introduction of Henry Ford’s Tin Lizzie, that previous change will seem to have been a mere blip in the road. There is no comparison to the exponential increase in rates at the Speed of Light.
Click here for the full article (PDF).
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MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
FROM: Lois Clark McCoy
SUBJECT: SMART POWER Conference, San Diego, CA Feb. 10, 2009
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| Dr. Eric Frost, Guiding LIght at San Diego State University VIZ Lab |
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On February 10th, 2009 I attended the National Institute for Urban
Search & Rescue’s SMART POWER SEMINAR in the San Diego Conference
Center. This effort initiated by NIUSR with the support of San Diego
State University, HALO Corporation, and the Strategic Diamond Sponsor
AFCEA, brought together more than 50 different ORGANIZATIONS AND
AGENCIES involving DoD, California Department of Homeland Security,
police, fire, border patrol, emergency medical and other entities
across the country. Extensive use of social networking by George
Bressler, Adjunct Professor of Homeland Security at San Diego State
University; Brad Barker, President of HALO Corporation, and Dr. Eric
Frost, Professor of Engineering and guiding light of the SDSU Viz Lab
produced a series of "win-wins" of which all can be proud.
The
principle speakers were the top of the line and were enthusiastically
received. Dr. Dave Warner, M.D. PhD. received a standing ovation at the
end of his graphic and illustrated experiences over his last seven
trips to Afghanistan on humanitarian missions for both the Department
of Defense and the Department of State.
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| George Bressler |
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The ATTENDEES LUNCHEON
sponsored by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronic Association
(AFCEA) featured the outstanding physician, Dr. Eric Rasmussen, M.D.,
MDM, FACP. former Commander in the U.S. Naval Medical Corps, (RET).
He
now serves as CEO for the Google inspired “InSTEDD” a medical research
facility focused on Humanitarian Care in Palo Alto, California. Dr.
Rasmussen has many years of experience in humanitarian relief, and
disaster medical relief, both in the military and as a civilian. His
talk opened a window into the complexity of today’s world and the need
for greater effort on all our parts to better the abysmal fate of the
oppressed around the globe. Our own country has pockets of need as well
in times of life threatening disaster.
The topics discussed during the event showed areas needing
improvement. Seven years after 9/11, communications remains a critical
data interoperability problem between Federal, State and Local entities
and the impacted public. Very capable first responder communications
systems, telemedicine units and mobile command centers have been
acquired, and are operating. However, data interoperability is the
exception, rather than the rule. Part of this is cultural—police and
fire units are more used to voice coordination, and this went fairly
well. But data interoperability is impeded by a range of problems from
incompatible protocols to the lack of shared crypto, to social issues
(not used to data). Ultimately, when progress was made, serious
technical efforts were needed to break through the obstacles, such as
punching through multiple firewalls. Doing this efficiently and
expediently AFTER a disaster has not proven possible in a timely manner
causing further confusion, lifesaving time lost and a higher morbidity
count.
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| Dr. Eric Rasmussen, M.D., MDM, FACP, EO of InSTEED, a Google inspired Humanitarian Care Research facility in Palo Alto, CA |
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Some of the problems are not merely technical: For
example, Cultural differences in routine responses to everyday
emergencies rub up against each other creating inter-agency friction.
Some are procedural: MOUs have not been signed to ensure DHS and first
responders are on common crypto. Some shortfalls might not emerge
until a major disaster itself, e.g. the need for comms that are
independent of the power grid (though we know from repeated real world
experience that cell phones, land lines, broadcast, etc. are likely to
be affected by power issues).
The combination of HARD POWER,
police, fire, emergency management, responsible government agencies and
the military can band together with SOFT POWER, i.e. Community
agencies, Faith based agencies, the Red Cross and Salvation Army, the
Food Bank and many other non-profit organizations. Most were in the
room on the watershed day of February 10th. Joining Hard Power and Soft
Power into a unified whole will provide SMART POWER. As we develop the
intent and willingness to cooperate, and build coalitions that can
withstand previous long competition for the same funding dollar among
our vulnerable NGO communities, our Communities will become more
Resilient to any Disaster that may strike us. Now is the time for
strength and resilience provided by our freedom’s Communities? As one
of our nation’s founders said, “We all hang together or we hang
separately.” As a Nation faced with larger and larger Natural
Disasters and a smaller percentage of our population willing to
serve as first responders, that quote seems particularly appropriate.
It’s becoming a “do-it-yourself” world rather like the days of the old
West. As Teddy Roosevelt said, “Walk softly, but carry a Big Stick.”
Soft power is the walk, Hard Power the Stick and the result is SMART
POWER which is the winner in the game of providing the greatest safety
for our people.
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| Dr. Dave Warner, M.D. PhD on top of the world at Brown Field in July's Golden Phoenix 2008 |
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The most noticeable lack was the scarcity of
attendees from Industry, both large and small. Industry is the heart
and soul of all communities. Its rapid return to productivity is the
answer to more rapid recovery from any disaster, either from Mother
Nature or man-caused. 80% of all Industry in the United States is
privately owned. Industry IS the Community’s driving power. It needs to
be a vital part of SOFT POWER and included in the planning, training
and exercising ot the SMART POWER training of our future.
With regard to a way ahead: Future
events like this should be used as forcing functions to help promote
SMART POWER with interoperability, collaboration and trust built BEFORE
the Disaster. Solve the C2 data problems and save lives. Regional
baselines are needed of each entity's capabilities and limitations.
Adherence to standards should be forced - withhold funding from
non-compliant systems. Leverage DHS services like DMIS, EDXL, and
OPEN. Train, Train, Train! Exercises alone are not enough! Units need
to be training together between exercises. Provide feedback
from units into info sharing plans and equipment buys. Liaison Officers
operating jointly before an event have proven to be incredibly useful
when the Disaster strikes. Communicate, Cooperate, Build Coalitions
and Save the Willing.
Well done to the NIUSR TEAM! Let us Press on Together
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Welcome!
IT'S TIME TO TALK
ABOUT FIRE AGAIN
California is burning.
Yes, again. Today as we write in Santa Barbara,
Sylmar and Diamond bar in L.A. County, OrangeCounty and perhaps in
additional
places as the winds blow.
The good news is that we here in the Fire State are getting better at putting them out.
The bad news is that there are other states under siege as well.
The really bad news is that Mother Nature is the cause of so much of the danger. We all know that fighting Mother Nature will cost you and maybe kill you.
Tea Fire photo looking east on Thursday Nov. 13th, (first night) taken from the Nova Lab at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Winds blowing at 71 miles per hour toward the west. Helicopters from Santa Barbara and Los Angeles County Sheriffs Dept. flying water drops that night. At risk, City of 100,000 people and University of 30,000 students. 1death, 93 year old man expired after being evacuated from fire area, natural causes, 22 admitted to hospital for smoke inhalation, 3 burns in hospital serious but all will recover. Other minor burns treated in emergency rooms as out patients. Huge property loss and wonderful Recovery efforts underway by Community, Volunteers and all levels of Government. Free Symphony Concert scheduled Saturday night to honor heroic stand of firefighters and multi agency, multi-jurisdiction emergency personnel.
How close, Lois? 3 miles from the Santa Barbara Mission which is 4 blocks from me. This below from our NIUSR Chief of Staff, Dan Lemon
Firefighting has to be one of the toughest activities anywhere... heavy duty physical and mental work, facing danger and fatigue, battling wind... heat... dry, dealing with every uncooperative element of society and government, assessing and enduring risks, seeing suffering and death up close, losing some, always facing resource limitations, having to live with human errors.
Firefighting has to be one of the most rewarding activities anywhere... conquering danger, being heroes, often saving lives and property, surviving, "snatching victory from the jaws of defeat," knowing a bunch, making a vital difference, conquering fear, getting hugs and other genuine appreciation, trusting in higher powers, leading up, down and sideways better than most.
Hurray for the difference they make!,
Added Note:
This week before the Tea Fire (don't you love the names?) in Montecito, a suburb of Santa Barbara, NIUSR who is based there, had issued a directive to its cadres, to not only prepare for the California state-wide Earthquake SHAKE OUT this November, but also to use that day to put together a simple, basic Evacuation Kit and to keep it ready.
Never let your car gas tank get below half full.
SUGGESTED EVACUATION READY KIT
Change of dry clothes; hat with brim, sunglasses, extra reading glasses
Electronic communications, cell, Blackberry, car charger
Down sweater or jacket; Extra Wool sweater or vest
Rain poncho with hood
Aluminum square "blanket"
Wool blanket
Medicines as needed
Passport; Social Security Card
Other valuable papers, Mortgage? heh,heh
Priority Telephone Access Card (if available)
A Real Knife, with a sharpened blade and sheath
Screwdriver /large, Phillip head screwdriver/small, pliers, wrench
FLASHLIGHT , Extra Batteries
Carrying Case (We suggested a Tool box, waterproof ,(shaped like a LARGE #10 envelope, about 18 inches long and about 6 plus inches deep,) with a handle on top. See what your local hardware store has to offer. DO NOT buy one of those tin boxes that the stational store sells to keep papers "safe". Have you ever seen a square legal paper?
Remember you may have to leave your vehicle. Consider weight.
WATER
IN AN EXTRA WATERPROOF BOX
The bulkier clothing that won't fit in the above tool box
MORE WATER
Battery Operated Lamp, FLASHING?
Radio, battery Operated
Lots of extra Batteries
You may want to add?'
Small Hack Saw
Small Axe
Light Weight Mall
Red Cross First Aid 2 day Pack
Consider carefully photo albums, wedding albums, jewelry (wear it) etc. When you are evacuating the object is STAY ALIVE
THINK - MEMORIES REMAIN, LIFE IS FRAGILE
If you have time and you probably won't. dress for survival. Boots, a HAT. layers for warmth or to shed if it turns hot. You know the drill.
Having self-evacuated 5 times in the last 6 months this is getting to be an old song for me. Each time I discover one thing I wish I had as well as something I will not bother with nest time. If you are not "lucky" enough to have all these dry runs, NIUSR suggests you make a family "game" of it for a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Pack together and talk it over.
NIUSR is glad our advice to our cadre has proven useful. One member was ordered to evacuate from the TEA Fire this week. GO from the fire area three days ago. He and his early teen-age son had decided before school started this fall, to take a 5 day Mountain Survival course in Kings Canyon National Park.
Roger was downtown at work late and cut off from home when the sudden evacuation order came. The order was quickly spread by fire, police , radio, and TV. His son at home was a great help to his mother and younger siblings as they got out QUICK and in good order and drove immediately to their pre-determined location pre-decided "IF". We do not know if the family home has survived the fire as yet.
How about that? True story. Not making any of this up. You just NEVER know. Take a little advice and improve upon it. Your common sense will be a better guide than this list, we are sure. But these suggestions WILL work in a pinch. We may have forgotten something obvious on this list. Be Prepared and remember YOUR BEST SURVIVAL TOOL that you always carry with you IS YOUR BRAIN.
Best of Luck.
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