How to Buckle Up for Uncertain Times

Laying out a system to help you and your loved ones figure out where to go from here; using the SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis as a way to clarify what you need, now.

While I have been making a point to share global/nationwide game-changing developments that can have significant implications on our lives, I have no intention of leaving you in the lurch. Please read on for those interested in not being a sitting duck and struggling to weather the upcoming storm.

When I ask people if they are ready for any possible food, supply, or fuel interruptions, many respond that they don’t know where to start. Or they state they are kicking themselves for not starting sooner. In either case, stop beating yourself up and start getting focused. There is no better time than the present…. and as I’ve mentioned in previous newsletters, all indicators point to some rough months ahead.

This is why I have been encouraging people to get ready now.

To better prepare, I mentioned in an earlier newsletter how conducting a SWOT analysis (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threats) on yourself, your family, and your friends to help you in case of severe supply chain interruptions can help clarify what you’re missing and your next steps. As a starting point, you can start by reading the list of 100 Items to Disappear First During an Emergency at the bottom of this newsletter. Don’t let it overwhelm you. Your effort may be daunting if you try to collect all these items yourself. BUT if you go at this with a circle of your friends or family, you will realize you can check off the bulk of this list.

When I was on the city council, and as mayor, our city would hold a professionally facilitated strategic planning session every six months utilizing this SWOT analysis. It was a fabulous tool to identify what was most important to our city and the subsequent actions we needed to take as leaders and city staff. It allowed us to look at our city from a micro-macro perspective while keeping us focused on the next steps and clarifying who had to do what and by when.

Before you begin your SWOT analysis, ensure you have an excellent note-taker and start by writing down each person’s name and then list their skills/knowledge/supplies/stocked goods.

Here’s a sampling of what a SWOT analysis may look like when you’re done:

STRENGTHS

Bob: has lots of tools, knows how to build including brick, stick, stone, electrical, plumbing, knows additional tradespeople, excellent with a chain saw, welding, raising chickens, has guns/ammo, can fix anything.

Kris: excellent medical skills, former military, defense, construction, conflict resolution, radio communications, jack of all trades, good with irrigation, has ample water tank storage on the property.

Ellen: herbal, homeopathic practitioner, excellent cook/baker, knows how to ferment, can preserve, good worker-bee and researcher, excellent babysitter, has space on property for RV parking, can raise rabbits/chickens, has well on solar, has dried vegetables, onions, a big bag of dried onions, spices, dried mushrooms, fruit, coconut oil, olive oil, pasta, white rice oats flour beans brown rice, white rice, meat canner, canned salmon, sardines, tuna, tomato sauce.

Once everyone has had the chance to share what they have to contribute, then you start identifying your most significant weaknesses as a group. Your list may end up looking something like this:

WEAKNESSES

We need:

Portable solar packs with charging stations, radios, recharge batteries,

Push mowers, electric-powered tools

Go bags: life straws, solar battery packs

Bucket toilet with containers

Seeds/sprouting seeds

Communication devices other than cell phones

Fuel/air filters for cars, oils, and spare batteries

Extra DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) for diesel-powered engines

We all have property but no capacity to survive on land individually

Lack of ability to communicate with each other when power-grid is down (happens during fires and snowstorms)

Defending ourselves 24/7

Vulnerable alone at home or traveling

Need electric scooters

We have many emergency items but in different locations

OPPORTUNITIES

Many permaculture experts in the community

Good growing season

Tightly-knit community

Long distance from a big city

Lots of available water

Many local, family-owned farms

A centralized community kitchen

A local women’s weapons course

THREATS

Shakey economy

Terrible leadership/decision making

Global upheaval

Threatening supply chain interruptions

Many community members unprepared for hardship

Lacking off-grid skills

Dependent upon failing power grid

We live in a high fire danger area

Fuel interruptions

Once you go through this analysis, you can better identify what you have, don’t have, and what you need to prioritize. Again, check out the 100 Items to Disappear First During an Emergency below before your group gets going on the SWOT analysis. This will help you jog your memory and get into the right frame of mind. Also, once familiar with what you are missing, keep your eyes open at thrift stores, swap meets, and Craig’s list online for affordable options.

Before you wrap up your SWOT meeting, ensure you have identified a few of the most critical steps you need to take next, who will undertake the respective action(s), and the date the action will be completed. Then make sure you have all agreed to the next date for a gathering to update each other on your progress. This is key. If this isn’t done, it’s easy to let things fall to the wayside and not be completed.

My partner and I have found it very comforting to do this analysis within a small group of close friends. We know we are here for one another. We know we have each other’s back, and what is ours is theirs. This is what community is all about. You can find this communal opportunity in your town, apartment complex, neighborhood, or city block. People all around you are ready and willing to undertake these next steps. Just starting the conversation will get you going in the right direction.

If you have any questions, additions, or suggestions, please put them in the comments below.

100 Items to Disappear First During an Emergency

1. Generators. (Good ones cost a lot. They’re noisy, a target for thieves, require maintenance, etc.)

2. Water Filters and Purifiers.

3. Portable Toilets.

4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 to 12 months to become dried.

5. Lamp Oil, Lamps, Wicks. (Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)

6. Coleman Fuel. It’s impossible to stockpile too much.

7. Weapons. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots, and other weapons for self-defense.

8. Kitchen Tools. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.

9. Honey /Syrups / white and brown sugar

10. Rice – Beans – Wheat.

11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it, food burns/must be boiled, etc.)

12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)

13. Water Containers Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY.

14. Mini Heater head (Propane) (Without this item, propane won’t heat a room.)

15. Grain Grinder (Non-electric)

16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.)

17. Survival Guide Book

18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without it, long-term lighting will be difficult.)

19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. Ointments/aspirin, etc.

20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)

21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)

22. Vitamins and other supplements

23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder

24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products

25. Thermal Underwear (Tops & Bottoms)

26. Bow saws, axes, hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)

27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)

28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)

29. Garbage Bags (It’s Impossible To Have Too Many)

30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, and Paper Towels

31. Milk – Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)

32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)

33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)

34. Coleman’s Pump Repair Kit

35. Tuna Fish (in oil, not water)

36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)

37. First Aid Kits

38. Batteries (all sizes…buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)

39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies

40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food as well)

41. Flour, yeast & salt

42. Matches (“Strike Anywhere” preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first

43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators

44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)

45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts

46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, “No. 76 Dietz” Lanterns

47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experiences)

48. Garbage cans – Plastic (it’s great for storage, water, transporting – if with wheels)

49. Men’s Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, etc.

50. Cast Iron Cookware (sturdy, efficient)

51. Fishing supplies and tools

52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams

53. Duct Tape

54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes

55. Candles and wicks

56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)

57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags

58. Garden tools & supplies

59. Scissors, fabrics & and sewing supplies

60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, and so forth.

61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)

62. Canning Supplies (Jars/lids/wax)

63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel

64. Bicycles – Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc.

65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats

66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)

67. Board Games, Cards, Dice, Puzzles

68. d-con Rat poison (please don’t use it, it kills wildlife), MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer

69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets

70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)

71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)

72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, umbrellas, etc.

73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)

74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and fuels)

75. Soy sauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soup base

76. Reading glasses and glasses repair kits

77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)

78. Survival-in-a-Can

79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens

80. Boy Scout Handbook

81. Roll-on window insulation kit

82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix, Beef Jerky

83. Popcorn, Peanutbutter, Nuts

84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)

85. Lumber (all types)

86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)

87. Cots & inflattable mats

88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.

89. Lantern hangers

90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws, nuts & bolts

91. Teas

92. Coffee, instant and regular

93. Cigarettes

94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc.)

95. Paraffin wax

96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.

97. Chewing gum/candies

98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)

99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs

100. Goats/chickens

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