WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW
Using my template (see my last post, Making A Plan) this is what I did, and am doing, to be prepared. I’m specifically focusing on the very real earthquake peril here in Seattle.
| Prepare | Short Term (72 hours) | Medium Term (Six Months) | Long Term (over Six Months) |
| Who | Me. (Single man, no dependents)
Done |
Putting the “prepared bug” into friends and coworkers.
Ongoing – but I am surprised how open people are to it! |
Compile a list of resources in my neighborhood then circulate to my neighbors.
To Do |
| What | Peril: Earthquake – at home
Done |
Earthquake – for additional 7 days and being mobile if needed.
Done |
Review what I’ve prepared, have things changed?
Ongoing |
| Where | Prepared home.
Done |
Preparing home for additional 7 days.
Done |
Storing additional provisions at friends’ place in case home is unavailable.
Ongoing |
| When | Goal was establish years ago.
Done |
Items I need to replace and or secure:
Ongoing |
Annually, on April 1st, I inspect my provisions and make sure everything is current, rotated, or if anything new needs to be done or secured.
Ongoing |
| How | Research needs:
Done |
If things were not done you can set up start and end dates in your “when” columns. |
This has been an ongoing process including choosing where to live. My apartment building is a wood frame building that meets or exceeds earthquake building codes and having been in it during the 2001 Nisqually quake, I am reassured that this building will be standing after another earthquake. This does not address preparing your home itself for an earthquake (i.e. securing bookcases to walls, etc.). This was just used for basic resources (food, water, medical supplies, etc.) needed if those resources are not available after a major earthquake or other disaster. My goal is to be prepared after the incident until help arrives or I can safely leave the area.
After securing your supplies, in a small home where do you store them? Creativity is the key. Since I also want to make sure things are mobile, I have put my supplies in a backpack and fanny packs that can be Bug Out Bags, if necessary. A backpack fits nicely in the back of my closet. Fanny packs can be hung over the coat rail in the closet. I have a large cooler, on wheels, that I can put food and water in if I need to leave my building; this fits under my hanging coats. Remember to keep together where they are readily available. You don’t want to bury things and have to dig them out if you are in a hurry. I feel better knowing that I am prepared even if it is just with basic needs.
Commercial emergency packs are available. That may provide an easier way to get started for you. I put my own kits together, but looked at what these sites had in theirs. Two good sites are: BePrepared.com and EssentialPack.com.
Prepping in an ongoing process. As circumstances change, what you need to do to face unexpected challenges ahead may change as well. Once you know the road you are taking, having the mindset and a method for preparing will give you a peace of mind. And I have a simple challenge for you if you think you’re all prepared: Go a week without going to a store or gas station and see how you do. You’ll find out what you missed and it’s a chance to use and replace items you have store. In any case, enjoy the journey.
The City Cousin’s Bio
I come by prepping by growing up watching the example my father set; he was always prepared for whatever situation would arise. Now, as a single man living and working in Seattle, I have opted to live near downtown in a small apartment. For me this is a comfortable space; trying to be “green” it has reduced my use of resources from electricity to gas for my truck. With limited space, I have reviewed what I can reasonably be prepared for in my urban environment.
(Friday: What We Did This Week To Prep)