IMPORTANT: An outright attack on our infrastructure is coming
I am a member of the local emergency communications group that holds monthly meetings and periodic exercises in responding to disasters. We are trained and licensed to act as the communications for ALL disaster-relief personnel in such cases and are considered by FEMA to represent "national strategic assets" - for better or for worse. Our group consists of amateur radio volunteers and as a liaison the National Guard base commander (a colonel).
During our meeting, he interrupted to say that he had just returned from a two week conference with all the "security" agencies in the US Federal Government (CIA, NSA, DIA, Secret Service, and _many_ more) on cyber-security. They had listened to experts from private industry as well as intelligence sources talk about the real threats which exist as a result of state-sponsored terrorism via electronic warfare. He said that while he couldn't reveal specifics because they were classified, he pointed out the recent attacks on the White House and France and said "we have known about the _eventuality_ of these attacks for some time." He went on to say that the attack on France's TV stations was only a preview of what both Russian and ISIS (and even Chinese) electronic warfare activists had in store for the United States. He said it wasn't a question of "if" they hit us, but simply "when". The colonel last night was deadly serious when he said that we had to be prepared for these attacks in the very near future.
There was a great post yesterday by rockymountainpirate about a potential 1815 age. It may be coming sooner than you think.
Now I know everyone has heard about "preppers" and some of them can be a bit extreme, but based on the comments from this gentleman last night, I would strongly recommend that (fi you haven't done so) you prepare yourself _now_. There are a host of valuable websites and I will provide some of the best if asked. Here's a short list of things to make sure you have on hand ASAP:
- A 72-hr kit. You can purchase expensive ones in a backpack or make your own. But in a serious disaster, the grocery stores will sell out within 3-6 hours and you will be on your own for 2-3 days (at a minimum) while repair crews get around to restoring power, etc.
- Tool for disconnecting utilities - especially gas lines. The danger from an earthquake just _starts_ when the ground rumbles. The same with a hurricane. If you have natural gas, shut it off as soon as you possible can. Fires caused by leaks cause a tremendous amount of secondary damage that could leave you without shelter (a basic need) or worse.
- a portable hand-crank radio with which to receive public service announcements and the emergency broadcast system.
- Extra clothing and blankets. Enough said.
- Extra water. Basic needs dictate one gallon per person per day. Do your own math and adjust upwards accordingly.
- Medications. Make sure you have at least one month's worth on hand of critical maintenance medications, with an additional month if possible.
Now, there is certainly more. This is an extremely basic list. And once you've got at least 72 hours-worth ready, work on one month, then three, but get the 72-hrs worth NOW. I hope we never need to use it, but I would suggest that the grim reality is otherwise.
During our meeting, he interrupted to say that he had just returned from a two week conference with all the "security" agencies in the US Federal Government (CIA, NSA, DIA, Secret Service, and _many_ more) on cyber-security. They had listened to experts from private industry as well as intelligence sources talk about the real threats which exist as a result of state-sponsored terrorism via electronic warfare. He said that while he couldn't reveal specifics because they were classified, he pointed out the recent attacks on the White House and France and said "we have known about the _eventuality_ of these attacks for some time." He went on to say that the attack on France's TV stations was only a preview of what both Russian and ISIS (and even Chinese) electronic warfare activists had in store for the United States. He said it wasn't a question of "if" they hit us, but simply "when". The colonel last night was deadly serious when he said that we had to be prepared for these attacks in the very near future.
There was a great post yesterday by rockymountainpirate about a potential 1815 age. It may be coming sooner than you think.
Now I know everyone has heard about "preppers" and some of them can be a bit extreme, but based on the comments from this gentleman last night, I would strongly recommend that (fi you haven't done so) you prepare yourself _now_. There are a host of valuable websites and I will provide some of the best if asked. Here's a short list of things to make sure you have on hand ASAP:
- A 72-hr kit. You can purchase expensive ones in a backpack or make your own. But in a serious disaster, the grocery stores will sell out within 3-6 hours and you will be on your own for 2-3 days (at a minimum) while repair crews get around to restoring power, etc.
- Tool for disconnecting utilities - especially gas lines. The danger from an earthquake just _starts_ when the ground rumbles. The same with a hurricane. If you have natural gas, shut it off as soon as you possible can. Fires caused by leaks cause a tremendous amount of secondary damage that could leave you without shelter (a basic need) or worse.
- a portable hand-crank radio with which to receive public service announcements and the emergency broadcast system.
- Extra clothing and blankets. Enough said.
- Extra water. Basic needs dictate one gallon per person per day. Do your own math and adjust upwards accordingly.
- Medications. Make sure you have at least one month's worth on hand of critical maintenance medications, with an additional month if possible.
Now, there is certainly more. This is an extremely basic list. And once you've got at least 72 hours-worth ready, work on one month, then three, but get the 72-hrs worth NOW. I hope we never need to use it, but I would suggest that the grim reality is otherwise.
Jan