Archive for May, 2006

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Unimix and Atmit.

Saturday, May 13th, 2006

Emergency Preparedness – Unimix and Atmit.
 

   The LDS Church’s food relief effort in African and East Asian nations had an abysmal start when wheat was identified as “too high test” a food to save near starving souls in metabolic distress.  “Malnourished little children and the elderly cannot digest whole grains and foods made with course flour.  To recover, their stressed and tender digestive systems require frequent feedings of easily digestible food in small amounts,” said a Welfare Services report.   (Google Search:  ATMIT, www.lds.org/newsroom) 
   Unimix and Atmit, products made of mild grain flours (oats, corn, milo, etc), powdered milk, sweetener, cooking oil, salt, and boiling water, provide the “nourishing porridge” to save the most vulnerable.  Church-member volunteers are saving millions of lives with Atmit they produce at Welfare Square. 
    “All grains are ordained for the use of man and beast to be the staff of life.”    Remember special needs family members and store foods that are useful and digestible.  Anybody can eat mild grains, whether in soupy porridge or mush.  If it’s too soupy, reduce the water.  Gerber cereals feed infants, but not with wheat. Remember also that it’s easy to cook grains in, and serve them from a wide mouth Thermos bottle.
   For more information contact (your emergency preparedness specialist).
CATCH THE VISION, GET THE FACTS, DEVELOP SKILLS, AND BE PREPARED.

Posted in Food | No Comments »

Infants Farewell

Saturday, May 13th, 2006

Emergency Preparedness – Infants Farewell
 

   The following is text from a SITREP from William Griffith, 315th Wing Deployment Officer and Shelter Commander of 731 people, Keesler AFB, Miss., DAY THREE (30 Aug 05) of Hurricane Katrina:
“. . . SUPPLIES RUNNING OUT.  Most critical shortfalls:  food, diapers, baby food, and feminine hygiene products.  Issue MREs for adults.  Assign “Baby POC” (Person Of Command) to track baby supplies.  Develop new metric for morning/evening briefings – diaper burn rate.  17 infants in shelter x 5 diapers/day & 4 jars of baby food/day.  Have one day supply of diapers, two days of baby food, but at least three more days in the shelter.  Luckily, Sanitation Kits (l961 era Civil Defense barrels) include 44-year old feminine products. . .authorize Chaplain to take a small raiding party to Chapel next door to get rocking chairs for parents with small children.”  DOES THIS SAY IT ALL ABOUT IMPORTANT RESOURCES?
   Special needs folks and infants don’t fare well in emergencies.  Preparation keeps them out of the news.
   For more information contact (your emergency preparedness specialist).
CATCH THE VISION, GET THE FACTS, DEVELOP SKILLS, AND BE PREPARED.

Posted in Food, Sanitation | No Comments »

“I Never Have Enough Time To Get Things Done.”

Saturday, May 13th, 2006

Emergency Preparedness – “I Never Have Enough Time To Get Things Done.”
 

   Ever heard this squawk?  Sounds sort of LAME, doesn’t it.   If everyone has exactly the same amount of time in a day, week, month or year, shouldn’t we be saying, “I’ve too many things to do?”  If its just things, what we really need to do is prioritize and GET THE IMPORTANT THINGS DONE FIRST.
   Here’s the plan.  Each night before retiring make a list of ten important things you have to get done tomorrow, in priority order.  That will tell you how early you have to get up and get going.  As you complete each item, you get to (moment of joy) cross it off your list.  Be flexible and if you don’t get things done in exact order, that’s okay.  Just keep crossing off by accomplishment one thing at a time.  What you don’t get done today goes to the top of tomorrow’s list.  When you get really good at this, MULTI-TASK  –  learn to do two or more things at once.  Recognize how some tasks can dovetail along with others.
   Sound simple?  This advice was worth $20,000 to a large US corporation who hired an efficiency consultant for a week to show them how to increase productivity.  If it works for you, or you need more information, contact (your emergency preparedness specialist).  He (she) will accept your check.
CATCH THE VISION, GET FACTS, DEVELOP SKILLS, AND BE PREPARED.

Posted in Perspective | No Comments »

Is Your Spare Flat?

Saturday, May 13th, 2006

Emergency Preparedness – Is Your Spare Flat?
 

   Food in the storage room is a lot like the spare tire in your vehicle.  Both can be neglected.
   People never think of tires in terms of a set being five.  Out of sight, out of mind . . . a good (bad) example being cars that go to the wrecking yard.  Most have spare tires that look like they have never been driven on.  A little air pressure and they’re like new.  But most spares go to waste from being overlooked.
   Good utilization of resources includes putting everything into a rotation plan.  Just sticking with a plan with tires insures best fuel efficiency (check the pressure regularly) and 20% more tire mileage if you rotate and utilize the spare.  Spare anything is always good insurance, but why spend money needlessly?  Overlooked resources are underused blessings.  You sleep better having extra food inventory and spare tires, but you can live cheaper if you don’t let stuff spoil.  Use it all, and use it all up.
   If you use it, store it.  If you store it, use it.
   Make it a priority this week to check your food inventory as well as the pressure in the vehicle spare.
   For more information contact (your emergency preparedness specialist).
CATCH THE VISION, GET FACTS, DEVELOP SKILLS, AND BE PREPARED.

Posted in Food, Perspective | No Comments »

Good Bedside Manners

Saturday, May 13th, 2006

Emergency Preparedness – Good Bedside Manners
 

   “Oh goodness, he’s going to need a lot of stitches,” said the Provo nurse in a voice burdened with fear.  Fished out of the municipal pool semi-conscience after my diving collision with a kid at age 9, I wasn’t even aware my scalp was split until I touched it and found blood.  I started to cry, still not feeling any pain.
   “Don’t ever tell someone how badly they are hurt, even if they are holding their insides in their hands,” a medic told me.  You state: “You’re going to be alright and help is on the way right now!”
   “We want to see where you had your operation,” the home teacher said.  The recent kidney donor hurt from her giggle and said, “I’m too modest to show you, but I am happy you came to visit me.”
   “We were just asking if you’d like to take a drive past your hospital,” was the quip.
   In an emergency, you may only have band-aids, the priesthood, and a good sense of humor to help someone in need.  Polish up on some one-liners.  It’s okay to quote someone else if you aren’t spontaneous with jokes.  Humor generates endorphins and can be a healing balm.  Even if you have a good first aid kit, MAKE ‘EM LAUGH.  It’s easier to find a pulse.
   For more information contact (your emergency preparedness specialist).
CATCH THE VISION, GET FACTS, DEVELOP SKILLS, AND BE PREPARED.

Posted in First Aid, Perspective | No Comments »

Simplicity is the Key to Survival Success.

Saturday, May 13th, 2006

Emergency Preparedness – Simplicity is the Key to Survival Success.
 

   Ever been lost?  There is no agreement among scientists on an exact definition for being lost.  Some relate “lost as being unable to relate your position in space to known locations.”  But, lost also includes a whole range of emotional and behavioral consequences as well.
   Close your eyes and pretend you are an astronaut in orbit in the Space Shuttle.  Point to UP!  What, you can’t find it?  Clue:  the shuttle flies with its tail pointing toward the earth.  If you pointed toward the ceiling of the craft, you would actually be pointing down – toward the earth.  What’s the right answer?
   There is no UP in space . . . only relative position.  Astronauts are trained to recognize step by step where they have come from in order to get where they want to go.  With limitless direction choices they ADAPT.
   Some subconsciously believe that “to prepare for disaster is to encourage it.”  They don’t want to think about it for fear it may come to pass.  Yes, they are lost, and most aren’t pointed in any useful direction.
   Gathering know-how, resources and tools are steps in the right directions.  Survivors take one small achievable step at a time, as astronauts do.  “A journey of 1,000 miles. . .?”  GET STARTED NOW.
   For more information contact (your emergency preparedness specialist).
CATCH THE VISION, GET FACTS, DEVELOP SKILLS, AND BE PREPARED.

Posted in Perspective | No Comments »

Self-sufficient Servants Survive.

Saturday, May 13th, 2006

Emergency Preparedness – Self-sufficient Servants Survive.
 

   There is nothing like an emergency to force people to make decisions.  Immediately, by action or lack of, people decide whether they will be survivors or victims.  Do nothing (that’s a decision) and you will probably die without outside help.  The most lethal element to survival is giving up on your self.
   Survivors require a self-sufficient attitude from education and/or experience.  People are willing to give up least what they have worked for most – first priority is they have to want to survive starting right now.
   One of the most important qualities of survival is selflessness.  When survivors are worried about others more than self they focus their energies to save them, and by so doing have greater reason to live.  They give more than they consume, worry less about the consequences, and actually strengthen from their service.  They feed their attitude and reason for living more than they feed their bellies.  Some sea survivors lasted twice as long without fresh water as others with whom they shared left the life raft and gave up.
   Prayer has been identified as a survivor essential – humbly acknowledging personal limitations while enrolling heaven to help self of others.  Survivors freely admit that divine guidance aided their survival.
   Everyday is practice day for doomsday.  Being a selfless servant is daily OJT for being a survivor.
CATCH THE VISION, GET FACTS, DEVELOP SKILLS, AND BE PREPARED.

Posted in Perspective, Principle | No Comments »

Turning Off Telemarketers.

Saturday, May 13th, 2006

Emergency Preparedness – Turning Off Telemarketers.
 

   The objective of marketing is to get people to pay attention to a sales pitch.  It’s dinnertime, the phone rings, and a telemarketer from India, the Philippines, or even Panguitch wants to talk to you.
   Congress to the rescue.  The FCC was instructed to set up a DO NOT CALL list (www.donotcall.gov) some years ago – (888) 382-1222.  Rules are: 1) you must call on the phone you want protected, and 2) you must be the phone bill payer.  One phone, one call, and that’s all it takes to stop the hassle.  The protection is for 5 years and, if you get unwanted calls, a name or number will get the reported caller fined.  
   Now for the scary part.  As of Sept. 30, 2005, not only may landline users be billed for long distance fees from unwanted telemarketers, but solicitors will also be able to call cell phone users.
   To improve on bad budget and impulse buying habits, stop shopping.  To control TV and Internet filth, disconnect.  To stop annoying telemarketers, register each of your phone lines today.
   Now, if we could just stop junk mail! ! ! ! ! !
   For more information contact (your emergency preparedness specialist).
CATCH THE VISION, GET FACTS, DEVELOP SKILLS, AND BE PREPARED.

Posted in Finances, Perspective | No Comments »

Express Checkout (15 Items or Less Please)

Saturday, May 13th, 2006

Emergency Preparedness – Express Checkout  (15 Items or Less Please) 
 

   With two carts filled, people in line behind me not only starred daggers, but were sure I would try and pay with stolen credit cards and have half dozen felony convictions and outstanding warrants on my record.
   I never shop without going out the express line, even if I’m buying 15 cases of goods.
   The secret is never buy just onesies and twosies.  Never buy anything unless it is in case quantity and on sale.  That way you not only lock yourself into bargain basement prices per unit, but you have less than 15 items (1 case of TP, tuna, or tooth paste is still one item) and inventorying will cut required trips to the store.  Your purchase is faster to scan, eliminates bagging, and you don’t have to take anything out of the cart to ring up.  Oh yes, all are overjoyed if you pay cash — THAT’S THE FASTEST WAY TO SHOP.
   For more information contact (your emergency preparedness specialist).
CATCH THE VISION, GET FACTS, DEVELOP SKILLS, AND BE PREPARED.

Posted in Finances, Food | No Comments »

HUMINT, SIGINT, or PHOTINT?

Saturday, May 13th, 2006

Emergency Preparedness – HUMINT, SIGINT, or PHOTINT?
 

   “How’s the best way to learn,” the teen asked the professor?  “Talk to a lot of old people,” was the reply.
   A picture is worth a thousand words – the basis of photint, or photo intelligence gathering.
   Every electronic piece of equipment emits a measurable signature – the basis of sigint, or signals intelligence gathering.  That’s why, if you have a cell phone, you can now be found by GPS.
   The best intelligence gathering method has always been and continues to be humint, or human intelligence.  We’re talking here about plain ordinary people.  Person to person information sharing between trusting people is the foundation of what wins or looses wars – spy game stuff.
   Every person has a wealth of collected, valuable information you will never know unless you ask.  That’s why Will Rodgers said, “I never met a person I didn’t like.”  He was the consummate information gatherer and appreciated what he received from every person who contributed to his life.  He learned from everyone.
   Find people you can trust and learn their secrets for living.  Humint depends on being a good listener.
   You can trust your emergency preparedness specialist

CATCH THE VISION, GET FACTS, DEVELOP SKILLS, AND BE PREPARED.

Posted in Perspective | No Comments »

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