7 minute read
HOW PREPARED AM I…FOR AN EMERGENCY?
Wayyyyy back in June 2024, I took you on a ride detailing my extremely beginner efforts with emergency preparedness. Let’s see how I finished the year, and then I’ll tell you my goals for 2025!
But first…
In February 2025, Ritchie Community League is bringing a very rad teacher to Edmonton (virtually), to teach folks about emergency preparedness. Sign up here.
Here are THREE places I put my energy in 2024. Based on what I had energy to complete, and what interested me (or I could hyperfocus on).
BUG OUT BAGS
I was not 100% sold on Bug Out Bags, but considering all of the disasters I have watched unfold over the past year, I am now.
“A Bug Out Bag is a short-term survival kit, typically stored in a backpack for ease of transport. Its function is to provide you with the basic tools of life should you have to evacuate a home or place of work quickly during an emergency, like a large scale natural disaster.” (source)
Did you know you can buy ready-made emergency bags? I didn’t until the end of the year, but I don’t think I would have bought them even if I had learned about them before I started putting ours together. They seem pricey, and I’d rather make use of items I already have then buy new (if I can).
I’m still navigating what I want to include in these, but I’ve got a decent start. These will come with us if we have to leave the house in an emergency. Along with our important documents bag — more on that to follow. I know that one of the most important components of these bags is maintenance, which is a difficult task for me. I will be adding a task in my calendar that recurs every 6 months as a reminder to check the contents of the bag, replenish where needed, or make a seasonal update. Warm clothes in winter for example.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
One of my (doomed) Christmas courses was a list of the top documents you should have saved “offline” or whatever. This course also came with a list of product recommendations, and one of them was a water- and fireproof document storage case. I immediately bought one (plus two envelopes) and started filling it up.
When my mom died in December, it really hit home how important it is to have your paperwork sh*t together just in case. Will and personal directive, life and health insurance policies. But also like, my doctor’s contact info, copies of our IDs, passwords, family photos, to name a few.
WATER
Calgary’s broken pipe really startled me into saving water last summer. Shortly after that happened, all those hurricanes hit the southern and eastern US. I read somewhere that if you can save your family’s 3 days worth of water, then the (sometimes scare or disorganized) resources coming from government or NGOS can go to other people. And wow did that ever stick in my brain. That is how I am approaching a lot of my prepping now.
I have now filled all 3 of our blue jugs with water (pictured on the left). This is for drinking and bathing when sh*t hits the fan, and should be enough for our household for a few days.
Rain barrels are always part of my garden set up when I have control over my eavestroughs. Only this year when I was asked a weird question at a networking event, did I consider them part of my emergency planning. This is not drinkable water, but it does get my garden through the dry times or when there are water restrictions in place. And I guess we could use it for washing in a pinch (with a little filter and boil).
ORGANIZATION
My biggest hurdle in life is organizing things, so it’s no surprise that I hated my initial set up.
Re-organizing this also gave me some clarity on what items I actually think will be useful and want to have on hand, and where else I can store things (like in the freezer for example). This isn’t fully fleshed out yet, but it’s something I will continue working on.
WHAT’S NEXT
I sat in on an underwhelming webinar in November on the topic of preparing. Specifically, the host was focused on potential gift ideas that could also help friends and family with emergencies. Yes, I got what I paid for ($0), but it did at least get me thinking about how I could potentially help others get prepared — or at least get started.
And no, I am not starting another club. Although that wouldn’t be the worst idea I’ve ever had.
Here are top 3 things I’ll be focused on in 2025 to continue with my emergency preparing.
- Host public presentations at Ritchie Community League on digital literacy, fire prevention, and whatever other “emergency prep” related topics I can find (non government) experts on.
- Get my important documents bag, Bug Out Bags, and WUSH bag finished, and set a maintenance schedule.
- Talk to my friends, family, and neighbours (ugh) about their preparations and figure out what we can do together. Like bulk shopping, learning opportunities, and disrupting current (corrupt) systems. Use this resource for ideas.
I asked a question at the beginning of the post: “how emergency prepared am I?” I think I’m doing okay! Especially when I compare my prep to others in my community who have done nothing.
No shade! Some days it’s exhausting just to exist in this society, let alone collect or build all the stuff we need to survive when sh*t hits the fan! (when not if)
I am prepared, but I feel like I could be more prepared. And I think I’m finding my place in all of this, finally. And yet…
I continue to struggle with the overall vibes of the prepping community that I have encountered so far! Very individualistic, very white supremacy coded. The best emergency preparedness is done in community or with community in mind. Period. We are hooped if we don’t consider our neighbours and the people we love/live with in our preparations.
I stand by the text on our Events page:
Our best chance at surviving and thriving in the next few decades is by sticking together.
FURTHER RESOURCES
Our important documents bag is from Jundun, and it was recommended in “Essential Vital Documents Checklist & Guide” by C.Lee Cawley.
Our water jugs were purchased by Dan a million years ago. I have my eyes on these water bricks to increase our supply (and store easily).
Our toilet paper is from Regent Supply.
Best place to find rain barrels is your local online marketplace. Make sure you buy ones that didn’t have chemicals or poison or other yucky stuff in them previously.
And now a disclaimer before I get to the external resources. The majority of preppers and advice for prepping that I’ve found is still very individual (cis, white, man) focused, and can come with an attitude of “us vs. them” that I am not a fan of. You can prepare for your family or household, and still look out for your neighbour! And you can prepare for an emergency without taking on this dangerous mindset.
This post by Bug Out Bag Builder gives a great break down of Bug Out Bags, and includes lists of what to include.
The Urban Prepper is a You Tube channel with a lot of great tips that cover a wide range of emergencies. Low on the creepy, conspiracy vibe. Great for DIY types.
And finally, Danielle GR Consulting is someone I trust for trauma-informed, community-focused emergency preparing advice and information.
Not Ladylike Community 