In the Beginnning, Part Two

So you and I 'woke up.'

We looked on the internet, reading what we could, and trying to figure out what we needed to make our families safe. We started buying food that our families didn't like or food we didn't know how to use.

We went to the local gun store plunking down a month or two worth of pay to buy firearms we knew nothing about. If you were lucky, you had some military service and know about rifles but probably not handguns.

And the mistakes we made (and are still making) as we hurried to make up for shortcomings as the 'current' disaster reared its ugly head, but nothing happen. Oh, the jokes we heard from our friends and family that knew of our preparations

But we still prepare.

And this is what this blog is about.

So,

The First Step

I want you to get a sheet of paper; lined or unlined, it doesn't matter.

I want you to fold the paper in half, long ways (like a hot dog bun) Along the crease, that you made, draw a line separating the paper in half.

On the left-hand side of the paper, start listing all the potential disasters and emergencies you and your family could face.

A Short List of Potential Emergencies/Disasters

Next, on the other side of the paper rank each potential disaster from 'most likely to happen' to 'least likely to happen.'

Ranking of Potential Disasters/Emergencies

Next, add any disasters to the list that you and your family feel are important for y'all to get prepared for such as Zombies, nuclear war, or ... that weren't on your original list.

Please, if you add any disasters to the list, make sure you put them in the proper priority from 'likely to happen' to 'least likely to happen.' 

Other Potential Disasters/Emergencies Added to the List

Almost lastly, line through any disasters you and your family are unwilling to prepare for. For some folks, it might be nuclear war (too expensive) or home invasion (pacifist)

Lastly, this list is personal. It is tailored to you and your family's situation. The list could and would be different for your neighbor down the street to your friends on the other side of the country.

Note:
1) If you don't like this method, Richard De Castro has another method. I provided a link, in the link section of the post, to his excellent Threat Assessment FAQ.

2) FEMA has an excellent booklet titled Risks and Hazards: A State by State Guide. It is a  state by state guide covering tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanoes, earthquakes, snow and extreme cold, tsunamis, nuclear power plants, and nuclear attack (the "Big One" not terrorists/small scale attacks). The booklet will give you an idea of the possibility of these threats for your state/region.

Link:
The Widening Gyre: Nick P. Norwood - Threat Assessment FAQ by Richard De Castro
http://dnausers.d-n-a.net/prepared/faq/assess_faq.txt

Survival Ring - FEMA-196 Risks and Hazards: A State by State Guide
http://www.survivalring.org/FEMA196-free.pdf

or

Scrib - FEMA-196 Risks and Hazards: A State by State Guide
http://www.scribd.com/doc/37577809/Risks-and-Hazards-FEMA-196

PS.
If you have children in grade school, they will be able to tell you about folding paper like a hot dog bun or a hamburger bun.