Family preparedness 101. By Anthony Cettina

I had a phone conversation with my younger brother over the phone the other day. He is recently married, responsible with money and a gentlemen to his bride and everyone else. Even with all of these attributes, when our conversation led to preparedness, I quickly realized that he had no real idea of where to begin. With that in mind I created this concise introduction in to preparedness.

This list is not an extensive list, and by no means should you be required to do all the things that we do. It is merely an example of some things to consider for you and your family, especially if it continues to grow beyond just you and your wife (there are additional considerations when you have more mouths to feed; i.e. children, visiting guests in your home, or even pets). Being a provider and a protector is more than just collecting a paycheck and remembering to lock the door at night.

It's ALWAYS good to have a plan, whether it be for personal growth, financial stability, or, in this case, emergency preparedness!

Take a look at what I sent you and let me know your thoughts...

Steps to Safety

1. Assemble at appropriate Emergency Meeting Place

2. Ensure all Pets and Family Members are Present

3. Collect Emergency Supplies (See Attached List)

4. Secure Home and Switch off Utilities (if necessary)

5. Fuel Up and Head to Emergency Evacuation Point

Emergency Contacts

Anthony Cettina   ***** (Cell)                                 Amanda Cettina   ***** (Cell)

                                ***** (Work)                                                                  ***** (Work)

Chris                      *****                                                    Jason                      *****

Mike                       *****                                                    Tom                       *****

                                *****                                                                                    *****

Steve                      *****                                                    Dan                         *****

Emergency Meeting Place

Neighborhood Meeting Place: *****

Out-of-Neighborhood Meeting Place: *****

Out-of-Town Meeting Place: 1. *****

                                                 2. *****

Work Location One - Anthony

Address: *****

Phone: *****

Evacuation Location: ***** 

Work Location Two - Amanda

Address: *****

Phone: *****

Evacuation Location: *****

Phone: *****

Emergency Evacuation Points

“Mr. Man”

Phone: *****

Address: *****

Directions: *****

“Mr. Sir”

Phone: ***** (Cell)

             ***** (Home)

Address: *****

Directions: *****

General Safety Tips:

·         Always maintain at least ½ tank of gas

·         Keep backup $20 in EDC (1x10, 1x5, 5x1)

·         Keep quarters in vehicles (parking/payphone)

Priorities of Survival:

·         Top Concerns: Shelter, Fire, and Water

·         Additional Priorities: Protection, Food, and First Aid
Basic First Aid

1. Assess the Scene

            Is it safe to enter?

            What are the hidden dangers?

2. Do NOT move injured victims unless necessary

            (Could cause further damage)

3. Review ABCs

            Airway – Clear of obstructions?

            Breathing

                        Yes – Recovery position

                        No – CPR/Rescue Breathing

            Circulation – CPR may be necessary (30:2)

4. Recovery Position

            On the side with arm & leg propped (side sleeping position)

5. Choking

            Back slaps (children)

            Abdominal thrusts (adults)

6. Bleeding

            Apply direct pressure

            Elevate wound above heart

7. Shock

            Keep calm and warm

8. Venomous Bite

            Keep calm and still

            Keep wound below heart

EDC Bag Inventory

#	Item	Qty on Hand		Qty Needed		Notes
1.	Maxpedition EDC Organizer		2	-
2.	Multi-tool		2	-
3.	Spork		0	2
4.	Lighter		2	-
5.	Super Glue		2	-
6.	Poncho		2	-
7.	Can Opener		2	-	On Multi-tool
8.	Whistle		2	-
9.	Small Notepad		2	-
10.	Tape		2	-
11.	Pen Light		1	-
12.	Zip Ties		2	-
13.	Compass		0	1
14.	Signal Mirror		1	-
15.	Space Blanket		2	-
16.	Water Tablets		0	2
17.	Hand Wipes		2	-
18.	USB Drive		2	-	Upload Docs/Password Secure
19.	First Aid Kit		2	-	Tape, Gauze, Scissors, Tweezers
20.	Medicine		2	-	Aspirin, Tylenol, Bonine
21.	Personal Hygiene Kit		2	-	Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss, Q-Tips, Vaseline Intensive Care
22.	Paracord		2	-
23.	Latex Gloves		2	-
24.	Sharpie		2	-
25.	CPR Micro-Shield		0	1	Anthony – Carry in Tactical Backpack

Bug Out Bag Inventory

#	Item	Qty on Hand		Qty Needed		Notes
1.	Maxpedition EDC Organizer		2	-	Fully Stocked x 2
2.	12 Gauge Shotgun		1	-
3.	Climbing Rope/Carabiner		0	1	5 mm (Min. 50 Ft.)
4.	Tarp		1	-	Kept in vehicle
5.	Trash Bags		3	-
6.	Bandanas		2	-
7.	Standard First Aid Kit		1	-
8.	Flashlights/Extra Batteries		3	-
9.	Emergency Radio		0	1
10.	Water		5	-	Metal/Plastic/Collapsible Containers
11.	Water Filtration System		0	1	Platypus
12.	Compact Knife Sharpener		0	1
13.	Paracord		1	-	Min 100 ft.
14.	Cash $$		2	-	Min $500
15.	Hunting Knives		2	-
16.	Glock .40 w/holster		1	-
17.	Extra Ammo/Mags		1	-	12 Gauge, .40 Cal
18.	Sleeping Bag		1	1	Alpine Mummy Bag
19.	Food				Snickers/Clif Bars, Peanut Butter, Beef Jerky, Freeze Dried or MREs
20.	Important Documents		1	-	SS Cards, Passports, Birth Certificates, Marriage, Life/Home Insurance, Pet Info, Photos of Each Person
21.	Dog Food		1	-
22.	Dog Bowls		1	-
23.	Gloves		1	-
24.	Full Change of Clothes		0	2
25.	Dish Soap
26.	Toilet Paper		3	-
27.	Playing Cards		1	-
28.	Binoculars		1	-
29.	Additional Fire Starter		2	-	Matches, Magnesium, Tinder
30.	Hammock?		0	1	Eagles Nest
31.	Cooker Pot w/cups		1	-
32.	Bowls		2	-
33.	Personal Hygiene		1	-	Soap/Body Wash/Feminine Products
34.	Mini Gun Cleaning Kit		1	-
35.	Snakebite Kit		1	-
36.	Signal Flares		2	-	Kept in car
37.	Walkie Talkies		0	1
38.	Keffiyeh		2	-	Olive Drab; Black/Purple
39.	Moist Towelettes		0	1
40.	LifeStraw		0	1

Home Survival Inventory

#	Item	Qty on Hand		Qty Needed		Notes
1.	Maxpedition EDC Organizer		2	-	Fully Stocked x 2
2.	Bug Out Bag		1	-	Fully Loaded
3.	Rope		0	1
4.	Trash Bags		1	-	1 Roll
5.	Extended First Aid Kit		1	-
6.	Water		5	-
7.	Tent		1	-
8.	Cooler		1	-
9.	Firearms		3	-	Glock .40, Sks, 12 Gauge
10.	Ammo		-	-	Glock .40, Sks, 12 Gauge
11.	Gun Cleaning Kit		1	-
12.	Plastic Sheeting		0	1	Seal Window/Vents
13.	Duct Tape		1	-	50 Yards
14.	Spare Bedding		1	-	1 Full Set
15.	Extra Batteries		1	-
16.	Dog Food		1	-	Extra 50 Pounds
17.	LED Lantern		1	-
18.	Camping Stove		0	1	Propane Tanks/Fuel
19.	Toiletries		1	-	Toilet Paper, Soap, Toothpaste
20.	Small Pry Bar		1	-	In toolbox
21.	Food		1	-	30 Day Supply
22.	Hatchet		1	-
23.	Propane Tanks		1	-
24.	Bandanas		10	-
25.	Fire Extinguishers		0	2
26.	Moist Towelettes		0	1

Vehicle supply Inventory

#	Item	Qty on Hand		Qty Needed		Notes
1.	Maxpedition EDC Organizer		1	-	Fully Stocked
2.	Bug Out Bag		1	-	(When Necessary)
3.	Fix a Flat		1	-
4.	Bungee Cables		2	-
5.	Signal Flares		1	-
6.	Plastic Trash Bags		2	-
7.	Pocket Knife		1	-
8.	Rescue Knife		1	-
9.	Zip Ties		5	-
10.	Flashlight		1	-
11.	Mini LED Flashlight		1	-
12.	Work Gloves		2	-
13.	Screw Driver		1	-	Anthony’s – In EDC
14.	Lighter		1	-
15.	Rem Wipe		1	-
16.	Towel		1	-
17.	Blanket		1	-
18.	Fleece Roll/Sleeping Bag		1	1	Need 1 for Amanda’s car
19.	Notepad/Pen		1	-
20.	Paracord		1	-	10 Ft
21.	Duct Tape		1	-
22.	Water Bottle		1	-
23.	Mini First Aid Kit		1	-
24.	Light Stick		1	-	12 Hour
25.	Toilet Paper		1	-
26.	Funnel		1	-
27.	Coin Purse		1	-	With quarters and loose change
28.	Rope		1	-
29.	Newspaper		1	-
30.	Mini Tool Kit		0	1	Kept in Anthony’s car
31.	Paper maps		1	1	1 in each car
32.	Tarps		1	-	1 in each car
33.	Moist Towelettes		0	2	1 pack for each car
34.	Fire Extinguishers		0	2	1 in each car
35.	E-Tool		0	1	Kept in Anthony’s car
36.	Fuses		0	1	Kept in each car
37.

Inventory

Electronic Device	Serial Number
Microsoft Xbox	*****
Nintendo Wii	*****
Vizio Blu-Ray	*****
Vizio LED TV	*****
Samsung Plasma TV	*****
MacBook (Anthony)	*****
MacBook (Amanda)	*****
External Hard Drive	*****
Sentry Fire Safe	*****
Vehicle 1	*****
Vehicle 2	*****

Firearm	Serial Number
Firearm Name/Caliber	*****
Firearm Name/Caliber	*****
Firearm Name/Caliber	*****
Firearm Name/Caliber	*****
Firearm Name/Caliber	*****

Ammo Caliber	Quantity on Hand	Quantity Needed
xxx	250 rounds	-
xxx	185 rounds	-
xxx	320 rounds	100-200 rounds
xxx	20 rounds	100-250 rounds
xxx	75 rounds	150-200 rounds

General info

In Wallet:

·         CADL ***** exp *****                                   1-800-*****

·         CADL ***** exp *****                                   1-800-*****

·         Credit Card Name                                         1-800-*****                

·         Debit Card Name                                          1-800-*****

·         Club Card Name                                           1-800-*****

·         County Library Card                                    1-800-*****

·         County Library Card                                    1-800-*****

·         CPR card                                                        1-800-*****

·         Medical Card Name                                      1-800-*****

·         Vehicle Ins Card Name                                1-800-*****

*Still To Do:

·         Fill up portable gas tank

·         Research gas masks

·         Freeze dried foods

·         Fire Extinguishers

·         Utility shut-off

·         Moist towelettes (x4)

·         Silica packets/Mylar bags – rice/beans

·         Sleeping bag (Alpine Mummy)

·         Update first aid kit in BOB

·         Build mini tool kit(s)

·         E-tool for car

·         Check spare tire/jack/tire iron