Are Americans Ready for Emergency Preparedness?

I am an American, residing in one of the most active earthquake zones in North America. Although we may not receive as much media coverage as Los Angeles or San Francisco, our region is still no stranger to significant seismic activity. I vividly recall several major quakes over the years, including ones in 1980, 1992 (a 'triple quake' over three days), the late 1990s, and another in 2011 just prior to Haiti's destructive earthquake.

Regional Risks and Challenges

Our area also faces the threat of landslides, which can obstruct both our primary and secondary routes of travel. This very situation is currently happening as Highways 101 and 299 are closed due to massive landslides, and recovery efforts will likely take months. The region is also prone to Pacific Storms, which can disrupt power supplies and induce hazardous landslides. Additionally, the possibility exists of earthquakes occurring during storms, further complicating the situation.

Personal Preparedness

I take a modest approach to preparedness. In the event of an emergency, I have basic first aid kits, portable lights, and an emergency radio. My stockpile includes sufficient food and water for at least a few days, and up to two weeks if my BBQ propane bottle is full. As a firearms owner, I am also prepared for low-level civil unrest. I am not expecting to defend my home against crowds of looters, but I am prepared to protect it and my neighbors from potential threats. In a major crisis, I aim to remain self-sufficient for a few days, ideally up to a couple of weeks, ensuring essential needs like clean water, food, light, heat, and shelter are met.

The Prepper Movement

However, there is a worrying trend within our community: the Prepper movement. These individuals often have little or no rationale for their plans but are eager to be hyper-prepared. Some simply attach a "Tactical Emergency Preparedness" label to products and expect people to buy them. The mass media has further fueled this hysteria by portraying preparedness as a sign of mental instability, contributing to an absurd 'zombie apocalypse' scenario. This has led some to invest in over-the-top preparations, such as 4x4 emergency vehicles, dehydrated food, large generators, desalination plants, and even anti-zombie weaponry.

Media Distortions and Misinformation

Media coverage has played a significant role in exacerbating these fears, portraying preparedness as a conspiracy theory driven by a desire to resist 'UN troops' and 'government detention camps.' This kind of thinking is profoundly irrational and harmful. It is particularly offensive to those who are not cognitively impaired. I am deeply frustrated by the way the media manipulates these fearful ideas, making reasonable people appear as backwards redneck bumpkins.

In my opinion, people should be prepared for basic needs like electricity, water, food, and how to live in foreseeable situations. Everyone should know how to open cans without electricity and have a functional flashlight and batteries at home. Those who have no plan for such emergencies are foolish, and those who plan for highly unlikely scenarios like zombies, UN troops, or government conspiracies are dangerously misguided.

It is my hope that this perspective helps clarify the reality of American emergency preparedness to those who are concerned.