By Aton Edwards, I.P.N. Executive Director

“Submitted for your approval” — a short breakdown listing of our upcoming September National Disaster Preparedness Month activities in NYC!  Scan through it, choose your event, then — come meet up with us and get ready-for-anything! 

To join any of the posted events, contact: rsvpevents@readyforanything.org. Select the specific outing you’d like to join and post it along with your name in the regards box.  We’ll see you there!

On Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 in my hometown, New York City,  I, along with a few other instructors, trainees and, a few special guests will conduct an outdoor IA-DO (personal preparedness & emergency response class) meeting at the front of the Staten Island Ferry Terminal at 6:30 PM and, moving on to the ferry, traveling to Staten Island (rain or shine) and returning to Manhattan at 8:00 PM.  

Participants will learn the basic fundamentals of disaster preparedness & response along with critical information about the most probable potential disasters for the NYC area, how to plan for them and, many other “need to know” facts.

Don’t miss this class!   It’s fun, quick, and it will provide you with basic, but critical information that you can use to protect yourself from the full range of natural, technological environmental & civil disasters.   You’ll also learn the beginning of an art & science (IA-DO) that has taken me nearly three decades to develop.  I believe this is the Kung-Fu of human survival in the 21st century.  

And you don’t need to travel to a shaolin temple to learn it!  Or, walk across a desert, snatch pebbles out of my hand, or burn tattoos on your forearm!  

(Not yet anyway).  

On Saturday, September 4, I will hold an IA-DO (self-reliance/survival/sustainable living) NYC shopping tour named after the Steely Dan “Everything Must Go” album song “The Last Mall”   I’ll be leading a group to all the best spots in Manhattan where we locate the best bargains for preparedness & survival gear;  and, will provide all with a list of the best online companies.  Many incredible bargains can be found that allow for a complete home package less than $100 – this includes a sturdy backpack, flashlights, multi-tools, water containers and all of the other critical preparedness/survival gear needed for:

• The personal preparedness kit.
• Grab and Go (G&G) bag
• Home supplies

If you are anxious to get equipped with the best gear for the lowest price, this is a class for you. We know where the best bargains and the best gear is! Not only will you save money, but you’ll also get the best equipment.   

Meet up with us at 1:00 PM SHARP at the corner of Chambers Street & Broadway.  We will leave the area promptly after all shoppers are assembled.  Bring an all-day Metrocard as we will be traveling by subway to multiple locations.

Saturday, September 11, 2010 commemorates the 9th year of the WTC attacks.  On that horrific day, hundreds of thousands of Americans were forced to walk back to their homes due to public transportation delays & shutdowns.  Two years earlier in 1999, the IPN began the Evac-U-Walk program to prepare New Yorkers for the very same type of situation.

This September 11th, IPN will stage an Evac-U-Walk beginning in Brooklyn (rain or shine) at 10: AM.  “Evac-U-Walkers” will gather at Willoughby & Jay Street.  It will travel across the Brooklyn Bridge into and across Manhattan, and, end in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx at 7: 00 PM

The Evac-U-Walkers will learn all the specifics regarding emergency evacuation, and, also important routes out of the city.   All who complete the walk will be awarded an I.P.N. certificate, automatic membership, and will also be eligible to become an instructor!

IMPORTANT:  please wear comfortable clothing, shoes, and, bring water & snacks.  Anyone who suffers from medical ailments (heart, respiratory etc.) that long distance walking can aggravate will not be permitted to participate.  

I (Aton Edwards) and my organization, The I.P.N. assume no responsibility for accidents, physical injuries, or any other unforseen emergencies & situations that take place during the walk.  All who participate will be required to sign a similar waiver.

Saturday, September 18,  2010,  A free screening of Anthrax War-Dead Silence will be presented by the Producer/Writer/Directors Bob Coen & Eric Nadler @ 7:00 PM.   The location will be announced on Friday, August 27, 5:00 PM – however, it is suggested that you RSVP right away to secure a seat.

ANTHRAX WAR a provocative new investigative documentary by filmmakers Bob Coen and Eric Nadler that examines the 2001 Anthrax Attacks and offers a frightening glimpse into today’s secret and dangerous world of germ weapons. DEAD SILENCE is the accompanying book that fills out the story of the global investigation that the documentary could only outline.

The story begins in the days following the 9/11 terrorist attacks when anthrax-laced letters, mailed to media offices in New York and to the U.S. Senate in Washington, spread fear and panic across the United States and beyond. The filmmakers probe troubling questions surrounding the FBI’s investigation of the 21st Century’s first act of biological terrorism.

The search for answers takes them from the United States to the United Kingdom, then to the edge of Siberia and to Southern Africa and leads them into an underworld in which leading scientists working with germs die under mysterious circumstances. The growing list includes Bruce Ivins, who the FBI claims was the only person behind the U.S. anthrax murders; Dr. David Kelly, the former head of UK bio-defense; and Dr. Vladimir Pasechnik, the mastermind behind the Soviet Union’s vast and illegal bio-weapons complex who defected to the West.

The filmmakers penetrate what they come to call the “international biological warfare mafia” and uncover the development of terrifying new weapons – genetically mutated germs, some with the ability to target specific ethnic groups. In a rare interview, the man known as “Doctor Death”, who headed South Africa’s apartheid-era biological warfare program that developed germs aimed at the country’s black population, reveals that he received help from the U.S. and U.K. The filmmakers also learn that some of these germs may be for sale on the black market today.

ANTHRAX WAR goes on to reveal how the 2001 Anthrax Attacks have spawned a $57 billion dollar “Bio-defense” boom in which germ weapons research is now being conducted, with little oversight, by corporations and private labs – the new ‘Bio-Terrorism Military Industrial Complex

The investigation underscores how fear of terrorism combined with the lure of extraordinary profits may be leading to a global germ war arms race that could be hurtling the planet toward catastrophe.

PLEASE CHECK THIS LIST FOR MORE ADDITIONS LATER THIS WEEK!  I’m working hard to squeeze all I can in while we are in NYC!

By Aton Edwards, I.P.N. Executive Director

This September, I’m excited to launch a national self-reliance & preparedness initiative that I call “Get With The Program NOW!”   The title sums up exactly what everyone in our nation, and the world needs to do — immediately.   Sadly, as it stands today, on the fifth anniversary of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, nine years after 911 and the anthrax attacks, a few weeks after the BP Oil spill along with a constant wave of global mega-disasters you’d think that “we the people” would get the message and get serious about preparedness. 

Well … we the people haven’t.

Generally speaking, we’re about  as unprepared for disasters as we were a decade ago.    A number of efforts have been made over the past few years by the government to educate the public about the importance of disaster preparedness; such as clever TV, radio & print  ads that tell you to “be ready & make a plan,”

Unfortunately, they haven’t made much of a difference at all because practically no one takes them seriously.  Most  people either ignore, or, foolishly dismiss the spots when they run.

They just don’t get it — but will if they are ever unlucky enough to find themselves in a disaster.

Another big problem is a behavioral pattern  I call “acute disaster fever. “

The first stage  begins immediately after a large disaster strikes with a huge surge in public interest about preparedness.  This symptom rapidly fades away just as quickly as it comes.  Soon after, the condition moves into its next phase – fatigue.  People get tired of watching, reading or hearing stories and reports about the disaster and completely turn off.   Then finally, about one month later, the last and most most dangerous phase manifests itself.  They contract a serious case of what I call “damnesia”  (disaster amnesia) and, almost completely forget it ever happened.  

This situation is even worse in poor inner-city and rural communities across the country, even though they suffer the most after disasters 

The problem here is, “I see a bad moon rising” and, just like that prophetic CCR song all those years ago said …

I see trouble on the way/I see earthquakes & lightning/I see bad times today.”  

What’s worse, I see this in every imaginable area – natural, environmental, technological, economic and civil (social).

You don’t need to be a psychic or, own a crystal ball to know this – the signs are everywhere!  On the TV, your radio, the internet, newspapers & magazines.  It’s completely unavoidable.  These events are already taking place, and will only increase in their frequency and magnitude in the near future.  

For example, the possibility exists that we may experience a super solar flare (coronal mass ejection) in mid to late 2011 or, most likely at the end of 2012 that could create a massive geomagnetic storm.  In 1859, a solar flare called the Carrington event (named after Richard Carrington, the astronomer that identified it) produced a powerful electromagnetic energy pulse that short circuited telegraph machines across the country setting hundreds of fires. 

The solar wind also produced aurora borealis (northern lights) effects that were visible even in equatorial regions.  In may of 1921 there was a similar event. According to NASA an equivalent event today would cause:

“ extensive social and economic disruptions. Power outages would be accompanied by radio blackouts and satellite malfunctions; telecommunications, GPS navigation, banking and finance, and transportation would all be affected. Some problems would correct themselves with the fading of the storm: radio and GPS transmissions could come back online fairly quickly. Other problems would be lasting: a burnt-out multi-ton transformer, for instance, can take weeks or months to repair. The total economic impact in the first year alone could reach $2 trillion, some 20 times greater than the costs of a Hurricane Katrina or, to use a timelier example, a few TARPs.

In late August 2010, the Los Angeles Times released a report about a recent scientific study that believes the Los Angeles area is overdue for a massive earthquake.  This along with many other pending inevitable catastrophes is why the time to get serious about self-reliance & preparedness is NOW!  Or, we’d better prepare ourselves to suffer from the horrific consequences of maintaining the status quo.   

As you saw in New Orleans & Mississippi five years ago, our government does not have the resources to cover everyone when disasters strike.  You must cover yourself by creating a plan of action and purchasing the necessary survival equipment & supplies.

If you are an adult and you aren’t physically or mentally challenged, injured, severely ill, homeless, elderly, or poverty-stricken, it is your responsibility – not choice to do so.  

A self-reliance, disaster preparedness/response plan and, some basic skills and equipment not only takes care of you and your family during a crisis, it also helps to minimize the burden on responders, & relief organizations. 

The unprepared require extra assistance during disasters. They must also depend on their neighbors with resources.   This is why you must recognize that it is your responsibility to create a self-reliance and preparedness plan and, to purchase critical related supplies.  Not only are you helping yourself, but also your neighbors, community, town/city and ultimately, our nation.

Get With The Program NOW! will provide you with all the information you need to get started, or upgrade a plan you already have in place.   I, along with my dedicated IPN partners, friends, associates and affiliated businesses & organizations are ready to go.  

In addition …

Have plans will travel and, we are ready to come to your town to do it!  If you’d like to have a Get With The Program NOW! forum/training session in your town, or if you’d like to join our coalition and assist us in our efforts contact me directly @ aton@readyforanything.org.  

Now let’s get down to business!

 I.P.N. September Disaster Preparedness Month Event List – More TBA!

To participate in any event, please contact; rsvpevents@readyforanything.org.  list the specific event you wish to attend in the regards box.  Leave your full name.  All are free & donations are accepted!

We’ll begin on Wednesday, September 1^st 2010 in my hometown, New York City.  At 6:30 PM, I along with a few other instructors, trainees and guests will conduct an outdoor IA-DO (personal preparedness & emergency response class) meeting at the front of the Staten Island Ferry Terminal and, moving on to the ferry traveling to Staten Island (rain or shine) and returning to Manhattan at 8:00 PM.

On Saturday, September 4, I will hold an IA-DO (self-reliance/survival/sustainable living) NYC shopping tour named after the Steely Dan “Everything Must Go” album song “The Last Mall”   I’ll be leading a group to all the best spots in Manhattan where we locate the best bargains for preparedness & survival gear;  and, will provide all with a list of the best online companies.  Many incredible bargains can be found that allow for a complete home package less than $100 – this includes a sturdy backpack, flashlights, multi-tools, water containers and all of the other critical preparedness/survival gear needed for:

• The personal preparedness kit.
• Grab and Go (G&G) bag
• Home supplies

If you are anxious to get equipped with the best gear for the lowest price, this is a class for you. We know where the bargains are, and will help you to save $$$.   

Saturday, September 11^th commemorates the 9^th year of the WTC attacks.  On that horrific day, hundreds of thousands of Americans were forced to walk back to their homes due to public transportation delays & shutdowns.  Two years earlier in 1999, the IPN began the Evac-U-Walk program to prepare New Yorkers for the very same type of situation. This September 11^th, IPN will stage an Evac-U-Walk beginning in Brooklyn (rain or shine) at 10:AM.  It will travel across the Brooklyn Bridge into and across Manhattan, and end in Van Cortlandt park in the Bronx at 7: PM

Participants will learn all the specifics regarding emergency evacuation, and also important routes out of the city.   All participants who complete the walk will be awarded an I.P.N. certificate, automatic membership, and will also be eligible to become an instructor!

Saturday, September 18,  2010,  A free screening of Anthrax War-Dead Silence will be presented by the Producer/Writer/Directors Bob Coen & Eric Nadler @ 7:00 PM.   The location will be announced on Friday, August 27, 5:00 PM — however, it is suggested that you RSVP right away to secure a seat.

ANTHRAX WAR a provocative new investigative documentary by filmmakers Bob Coen and Eric Nadler that examines the 2001 Anthrax Attacks and offers a frightening glimpse into today’s secret and dangerous world of germ weapons. DEAD SILENCE is the accompanying book that fills out the story of the global investigation that the documentary could only outline.

The story begins in the days following the 9/11 terrorist attacks when anthrax-laced letters, mailed to media offices in New York and to the U.S. Senate in Washington, spread fear and panic across the United States and beyond. The filmmakers probe troubling questions surrounding the FBI’s investigation of the 21st Century’s first act of biological terrorism.

The search for answers takes them from the United States to the United Kingdom, then to the edge of Siberia and to Southern Africa and leads them into an underworld in which leading scientists working with germs die under mysterious circumstances. The growing list includes Bruce Ivins, who the FBI claims was the only person behind the U.S. anthrax murders; Dr. David Kelly, the former head of UK bio-defense; and Dr. Vladimir Pasechnik, the mastermind behind the Soviet Union’s vast and illegal bio-weapons complex who defected to the West.

The filmmakers penetrate what they come to call the “international biological warfare mafia” and uncover the development of terrifying new weapons – genetically mutated germs, some with the ability to target specific ethnic groups. In a rare interview, the man known as “Doctor Death”, who headed South Africa’s apartheid-era biological warfare program that developed germs aimed at the country’s black population, reveals that he received help from the U.S. and U.K. The filmmakers also learn that some of these germs may be for sale on the black market today.

ANTHRAX WAR goes on to reveal how the 2001 Anthrax Attacks have spawned a $57 billion dollar “Bio-defense” boom in which germ weapons research is now being conducted, with little oversight, by corporations and private labs – the new ‘Bio-Terrorism Military Industrial Complex

The investigation underscores how fear of terrorism combined with the lure of extraordinary profits may be leading to a global germ war arms race that could be hurtling the planet toward catastrophe.

PLEASE CHECK THIS LIST FOR MORE ADDITIONS LATER THIS WEEK!

By Aton Edwards, I.P.N. Executive Director

On Saturday, June 26, 2010, a special health & survival workshop/training session will be presented by the Stop Playing group, Common Cents Consulting & King Simon productions at Kingsbrook Hospital, 585 Schenectady Avenue (Winthrop & Rutland – In B’klyn) 10 AM until 5PM in the hospital auditorium.

The event was created for the hospital to help educate and inform the area residents & hospital patrons about the importance of family & individual emergency preparedness, how to create a custom plan for your home & family along with a number of other related critical issues such as health and nutrition.

I will be in attendance to conduct a training session that will cover the fundamentals of emergency preparedness & my discipline IA-DO. It is my intent to cover as many areas as possible and, I urge all that have a desire to learn how to develop emergency preparedness plans for yourself, family and friends to attend this event.

Curtis Cost, author of Vaccines Are Dangerous will present important information about the danger of vaccines.

A number of other presentations will also be featured including information about water safety (alkaline water), and several more similar topics. Abundance Child, creator of the Stop Playing group will also make a presentation, with an associate, Brother Polite.

Paul James, IPN co-founder assembled the event to help call attention to the lack of community preparedness programs in his home borough, Brooklyn.  he believes “people in Brooklyn are vulnerable to disasters & emergencies due to its size and complexity.  People here need to know how to survive if & when we have another terrorist incident, blackout, hurricane or — many other similar disasters that could occur.”

He adds, “we must be ready when disasters strike & I am very pleased that the staff of Kingsbrook Hospital has allowed us to help prepare the people of Brooklyn at their facility.”

For more information about this event call 718-679-0805 & ask for Paul James.  To attend, you must reserve your seat by calling 347-546-5978 or, 302-691-3319!  NO EXCEPTIONS!  call now to reserve your seat as spaces are filling up fast.

You may bring note pads, pens but NO CAMERAS. No visual recording will be allowed without the permission of the production team.

By Aton Edwards, I.P.N. Executive Director

The mountainous Tibetan plateau of western China was hit by a spate of earthquakes in the Qinghai province in western China this morning with the most powerful measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale.  The Chinese state media has reported that over 10,000 people have been injured by falling debris, and 400 were killed with the body count climbing by the minute.

The first earthquake hit at around 7:50 am local time and, was located approximately  380 kilometers (235 standard miles)  south-southeast of a large city in Qinghai called Golmud.  The United States Geological Society (USGS) places it at a depth of 10 Kilometers (six miles).  It was followed by about six powerful aftershocks.  Some measured at a magnitude 5.8.

Officials at the China Earthquake Networks Center are reporting that 18 aftershocks have been recorded and, that the area should prepare for another large earthquake measuring magnitude 6.  Rescue efforts will be hindered by powerful aftershocks of this type.

Most of the residents of this high-altitude region area are Tibetan farmers. Many roads leading to the province were shattered along with communication lines.  A large dam in the area was also damaged.  Another powerful quake could destroy the weakened structure and devastate the area with floods.

At the quakes epicenter in Yushu county, nearly all of the homes in the area were completely demolished. The streets in the area are packed with the terrified residents that were forced by the earthquake to evacuate their homes.  A number of multi-story buildings collapsed, trapping the residents under the debris.  Chinese state TV is running footage of local rescuers digging through the rubble with their hands in a desperate struggle to free the people.

By Aton Edwards, I.P.N. Executive Director

At 5:15 a.m. (2215 GMT) this morning, in Jakarta, Indonesia, a powerful undersea 7.7 magnitude earthquake 125 miles (205 kilometers) northwest of the coastal town of Sibolga rumbled across Indonesia’s northwest island of Sumatra early Wednesday.  This was roughly the same area that was hit by the huge 9.0 earthquake that triggered an enormous and incredibly destructive tsunami back in December 2004

A small tsunami was generated, but spared the still recovering area from any serious damage.  Several homes and cottages along the coastline were flooded and a number of small fishing boats, but nothing major. The earthquake also produced minor damage in the form of fallen power lines across the island and a number of fires in Medan, North Sumatra’s capitol city.

Indonesia’s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is breathing a sigh of relief after realizing that his nation avoided confronting another tragic situation similar to the tragic 2004 9.1-magnitude quake that killed 300,000 people in 13 countries including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. “Thank God it did not lead to a major tsunami and there is no significant damage,” he told reporters during a brief interview shortly after the quake hit.

I will be watching this closely … in the meantime, stand by for an upcoming post about our emergency Haiti shelter plan, and our Summer 2010 activities –

By Aton Edwards, I.P.N. Executive Director

A 7.2 earthquake struck Baja, California at 3:30 local time rocking buildings in Los Angeles and producing damage to structures along the nearby Mexico/US border. Five significantly sized  aftershocks followed the first major rattler.

The first was a 4.5 magnitude quake hit at 4:09, 62 miles east of Tijuana, followed by a 5.1 in an area near Imperial, Calif, at about 4:15 p.m.

Four minutes later at 4:19, a 3.8 quake hit 12 miles northwest of Jacumba Hot Springs, Calif. followed by a 3.6-magnitude  7 miles northeast of Julian, Calif., that rumbled in at 4:22 p.m. 12 minutes later, a 4.3 quake shook buildings approx. 15 miles west-southwest of Calixico, Calif., at 4:34 p.m., and another even larger 4.7 after-shock hit 14 miles south-southwest of Mexicali, Baja California in Mexico, at 4:37 p.m.

This earthquake rattled the nerves of several I.P.N. members, including Pamela Everett, our Special Events director in Los Angeles.  In an email she sent right after things began to settle down, Pamela states –

“This was serious Aton– the ground was shaking, and so were the buildings.  I was in the house and snatched up my cat, grab & go bag and went outside.  People were scared and running outside screaming.  For a minute, I looked like it was a movie except it wasn’t.”

She also said –

“listen, we need to get moving with our program because I’m taking this as an omen. Let me know what you need me to get done to expedite this process on my end & I’ll do it.  I was the only person who even had a grab-n-go bag and people are asking me where I got it.  These people aren’t ready at all and if this earthquake was bigger they would have tried to take it.”

I agree.  People aren’t ready, and yes they would have tried to take the grab-n-go bag.  It’s time to rumble — and I don’t mean earthquakes –

Get ready to get ready …

.

AP Photo/Ramon Espinoza

By Aton Edwards, I.P.N. Executive Director

A heavy rainstorm hit Port-au-Prince hard yesterday.   The homemade tents hastily constructed by the earthquake survivors two months ago were no match for the driving rain.   Thousands were knocked down forcing the terrified people living inside out into rushing flood waters filled with dangerous debris, and human waste from overflowing latrines.

Thankfully, there have been no deaths or serious injuries reported unlike the rainstorm three weeks ago in the Southern Haitian town of Les Cayes where eight people were killed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

AP Photo/Ramon Espinoza

The rapidly approaching rainy season promises to bring much more of the same.

The relocation centers promised by the government two months ago are still not open and over 1 million people are still in a state of limbo as the government continues to broker deals with landowners.  Last Sunday, the  U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon visited the Petitionville Golf Course, an area converted by the 82 Airborne into a earthquake survivor camp and told a group of reporters that “the people here are in danger from floods generated by rain.”  The U.N. humanitarian chief John Holmes feels like his hands are tied and says 

“It’s been frustrating to us because we need to have those sites in order to build something … better. Until we can do that people have no incentive to move and, we are running out of time.” 

I feel the same way.  I believe that geodesic domes offer the earthquake survivors the most practical solution for shelter against the rainy season.  They can be built in a few hours, they are relatively inexpensive, easy to transport and highly disaster-resistant.  

With enough support, hundreds could theoretically be built before rainy season, housing tens of thousands.  Please support Pacific Domes and World Shelters  to help them  continue building shelters.  I’m happy to say that the I.P.N. will announce the first Shelter For Haiti NOW! “domeraising” event next week.  Our goal is to spark a large scale dome-building effort.  

The Haitian tragedy is still in progress and it is important for all who are ready to help to stay on call.   

By Aton Edwards, I.P.N. Executive Director

Another wave of powerful earthquakes rattled buildings and nerves Tuesday morning March 16 in Los Angeles (4.4), Chile (6.7) and on Monday, March 15th in Oregon (4.6).  The Los Angeles quake hit right before dawn and was felt across a wide area of Southern California.  The epicenter was a mile east of Pico Rivera and very close to the area hit by the 5.9 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake that killed eight people and produced over a quarter billion dollars in property damages.  

The earthquake in Chile was more severe.  The 6.7 magnitude struck at 2:21:58 AM in the Bio-Bio Province generating moderate amounts of damage.

The 4.6 quake in Oregon was off of the coast and produced little to no damage.

By Aton Edwards, I.P.N. Executive Director

Several major aftershocks hit Chile earlier today at 9:39 AM EST during the inauguration ceremonies of Sebastian Pinera, a conservative businessman.  The largest was a 6.9 and triggered a Tsunami alert.  The Chilean congress was evacuated to safe areas immediately after the ceremony. Residents along the coastline sought refuge on higher ground.

By Aton Edwards, I.P.N. Executive Director

New reports about the early morning earthquake in eastern Turkey state that 51 people have been killed by falling debris. Several homes in six villages across the area have also been destroyed.  Many of the area’s farms sustained a great deal of damage.  Barns collapsed, burying & killing farm animals.

The area that sustained the most damage was the village of Okcular. 19 people were killed.  13 died in Yukari Demirci, a nearby village.  According to Yadin Apaydin, an administrator for the village of Yukari Kanatl  ”Everything has been knocked down, there is not a stone in place” 

Turkey’s prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged the people in the area to say out of damaged homes that could be destroyed by aftershocks.  He blamed the brittle mud-brick buildings for the deaths & injuries and assured the people in the area that medical assistance, food, supplies & shelter is being sent, and will arrive soon.  

The Red Crescent is sending tents and blankets.