You are here: Home / Archives for emergency preparedness

The masculine, the feminine and the collapse of it all

By April 10, 2013
1950s ad

As modernity’s brief flight into the stratosphere of the industrial age begins its final descent, those who have not turned away from watching the inevitable hard landing will have few choices, but those who have chosen not to strap on the their oxygen masks and tighten their seatbelts will have fewer still. Fear is a big part of why people choose to remain asleep before the unveiling of the greatest show on earth. But they will soon discover their paralyzing fear has not been their friend. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Spirit Tagged With: , ,

Ten low-tech responses to storms and emergencies

By October 30, 2012
Woman on bike in rain

We live in a world dependent on electricity and we forget that being dependent on something — however wonderful that thing is — makes you vulnerable. Even getting a back-up generator isn't a painless solution for household resilience. A medium-size generator can cost $50 or more per day in fuel to run. And just hope that your local gas stations don't lose power or sell out to panic buyers before you get there. In the long run, generators are dependent on fossil fuel inputs and fossil … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Conservation, Energy Tagged With: , , , ,

Wyoming apocalypse plan: crazy or visionary?

By February 28, 2012
I-80 in Wyoming

The media has been having some fun the last few days over a bill that passed the Wyoming House last week calling for the state to establish a "state continuity task force" to prepare the state for the unimaginable. House Bill 85 authorizes $16,000 to convene a panel to study how a variety of national emergencies could impact Wyoming, including an economic meltdown, disruptions in food and energy supplies or even a breakdown of the federal government, according to the bill’s text. “I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Politics Tagged With: , , ,

Aviation steps up for Japanese relief efforts

By March 16, 2011
Navy helicopter

The devastating 9.0 earthquake last week in Japan and the resultant tsunami had an immediate effect on all aviation operations to, from, and in Japan. Departing flights were halted, incoming flights re-routed, and a number of domestic Japanese airports were damaged, notably the regional airport in Sendai, near the epicenter. Shutting off outgoing and incoming air traffic at all major airports around the country was a necessity until engineers could determine the extent of any damage to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Transportation Tagged With: , , , , ,

Survival of the fittest

By November 1, 2010
Mmmm, mmm, Red Cross cupcakes!

In a world where natural disasters multiply, infrastructure continues to decay, and the implications of peak oil darken the horizon like a gathering winter storm, planning for emergency response is essential for a community of any size. Emergencies happen.  Trouble can strike the best of people at the best of times.  However, the times ahead will be more challenging. The existing emergency response infrastructure requires much more local input and volunteer effort to remain effective.  The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Transition Tagged With: , , , , , ,