Disaster Preparedness Blog is Partnering With GovSec

I've always been a big proponent of security and for those of you who are long-time readers know I have done numerous posts on National Security.

Now I am happy  to announce that Disaster Preparedness Blog is partnering with GovSec to promote the Government Security Conference and Expo again. This time around we have a 20% discount code for those wanting to attend.

The 20% discount code for the conference is below.

CPM07

Register for GovSec

I am also very excited that this year we will be holding a contest to giveaway a GovSec 2012 conference pass. Stay tuned and check back for details on this soon. I will also be sharing more information about this in the upcoming newsletter so sign up for the Disaster Preparedness Blog Newsletter if you have not already done so.

Person With Measles Visits Super Bowl Village, Others May Have Been Infected

The Indiana State Health Department has confirmed a person infected with Measles visited the Super Bowl Village sometime last week, possibly on Friday. An estimated 250,000 people had been at the location throughout the day. The person never visited any indoor Super Bowl event, though it still remains unclear if that person attended the Super Bowl Celebration.

Two additional cases have since been confirmed in Indiana. Indiana State health officials are asking everyone, especially those who were at the Super Bowl Village on Friday, to check your family’s medical records and make sure everyone’s immunizations are up to date.

Disaster Tip of the Week: Always Be Prepared for Anything, Even When Having The Time of Your Life

The Recent tragedy of the Costa Concordia cruise ship off the coast of Italy this weekend reminded me of how important it is to be prepared. Prepared for anything, at anytime, even when having the time of your life while on vacation.

The last thing most of us are thinking about when we go on vacation, attend a wedding, a sporting event, or even to the movies is what we would do when tragedy strikes (WTSHTF). Let's face it, it's not usually top of mind for most people in any case. But, there are things you can and should do that may save the lives of those closest to you, and maybe even your own.

What are these things you should do? I am glad you asked:

• Whenever you go somewhere unfamiliar or to an event with a large group of people, always know where ALL the exits are, and the closest one to where you are.

• Look around, get to know your surroundings - the closest exit may not always be the best choice if everyone else is headed the same way. Think about how you would make your escape from the venue should trouble arise.

• When you're on a plane, ship or even at a meeting where they are giving safety information, stop and listen. 

• Follow your Gut. Know when you should follow direction, and more importantly if your gut is telling you to ignore direction, when you should listen. During 9/11 the announcement told people in the second tower struck told people to turn around and go back to work. Not all of those who did so, made it out. Also, even though others may have some training around you, you never know how someone will react in an emergency, until of course it happens. 

• If you're in a high-rise, or on an upper floor know where all the stairways are. Are there connectors and breaks? If one was blocked, how would you get out? What if all the stair where blocked, is there another way out? Through a wall? Can you move the debris?

This is not a complete and exhaustive list, nor is it meant to be. Adapt to your situation, think ahead and if you practice doing this often enough you'll find you can do it just by taking a quick glance around the room.

Box Is Giving Away FREE 50GB of Secure Storage and File Sharing

Box.net announced last week they are giving away FREE 50GB on all LG phones and tablets running Android OS 2.1 and above. This is the perfect time for you to not only backup those important vital records you have for your business, but to make them accessible on your mobile device.

But hurry, this is only available until March 31, 2012. How do you claim your FREE 50GB? Just log into Box for Android on your device before the deadline arrives. If you do not yet have a Box account simply download the app onto your LG device and you’ll get your FREE 50GB of secure file storage and sharing for the life of your account.

Disaster Tip of the Week: Choosing Your Bug-Out-Location

Last week I talked about the first steps on deciding on what to include in your Bug-Out-Bag (BOB). As I mentioned one of the most important things about deciding on what to put into your BOB is how far away or how long it will take you to get to your Bug-Out-Location.

How you choose your Bug-Out-Location will depend on a number of factors, such as:

• Can you afford to purchase your own location
• Do you have a trusted group of people that can purchase a location together
• Is it easy for you to get to
• Can you get there if you had to walk
•  Is it safe from the same or other potential hazards

If you’re lucky enough that you can afford to purchase your own location or to get in on one with some other people you will want to look for a location that is preferably in a different region from your main living location. The best site will be property you can purchase that also has access to water, hunting, wood, and enough space to grow your own food. Also take into consideration the security of the location as well.

If others can find it or know where it is, and you have supplies stocked up there is the chance that they could be gone before you get there or even worse taken over and occupied.

Again, consider how long it would take for you to get to the location. If you’re traveling alone and have the knowhow to survive the more remote and further away you can make your location. If you have a family that you need to take care of you MUST consider locating your Bug-Out-Location closer and will likely have to make it more accessible.

What if you’re not lucky enough to be able to afford your own property? The first thing I would do is find a relative or even a friend who lives either in a remote rural location. At the very least find a relative or friend that lives outside of the region in which you live that will not be impacted by the same event that would cause you to leave and seek shelter.

Once you choose the relative or friend, talk to them about your plans, and as a start offer to set them up at your location if something should happen to cause them the need to leave their location. Once you agree to work together in this respect, you can work together to get supplies and set up your Bug-Out-Location.

Another option you have especially if you live in an urban environment is to know where evacuation points and evacuation shelters will be during an emergency. Typically they will be in large schools, but not always. If you must, get involved with your community, or call your local Emergency Operations Center and ask them where the shelters are and which you should report to if a disaster occurs.

Know where these locations will be, and devise a plan to get to the shelter or evacuation points. If you’re in a situation where you need to utilize this option make sure you’re one of the people who get there early. Getting to them early is particularly important if the plan is to use these shelters as a staging point to get people onto other methods of transportation to relocate them out of the area. Make sure you’re on that bus, train or other means of getting out.

As a last resort you can always use the option of Bugging-In which is when you choose to stay put and wait out any event. Not the best option especially in a fire or flood situation and you’ll be taking your life into your own hands.