06Sept05

Previous disasters have been handled by the National Guard. However, in this present disaster active-duty military quickly, and necessarily, became

involved with the city now referred to as "third world." We apons actually have ammo this time! Hard perimeters have been established. Not sure of the " procedure" for involving federal troops in domestic disaster, and, at this point, no one seems to be asking. We may be witnessing the formation of a permanent, Federal, Emergency Response Model.

New lessons:

Be prepared with food, water, clothing, cold weather/rain gear, first-aid supplies, sanitary supplies, cash, credit cards, personal ID, pistols, rifle s, blades, ammunition, and the ability to pack a lot of it into a car quickly f or a hasty departure.

Get away from danger as soon as the full scope of disaster becomes evident,

if you can. If not, stay away from crowds and mobs. Don't allow y ourself to be "herded" somewhere that is unsafe. Don't =80 wait to be rescued." Don't wait for anything! Any kind of organized assistance may be days or weeks away.

Family cars should be all-wheel drive! Being able to safely diverge from the "prescribed" evacuation route may be a critically import ant capability.

Form a network of friends and family in other parts of the country. Openly

discuss a mutual-assistance understanding among yourselves, so you'l l always have guaranteed refuges to which you can flee that are far removed from the

danger area.

When traveling, there is great benefit to carrying pistols and blades discretely concealed and putting rifles and shotguns into "normal-lo oking" packs, bags, and luggage. Stealth applies to evacuation, too! Under these circumstances, being conspicuous for any reason is usually not in your best interest.

/John