I want you all to take a look at this image, which I grabbed from the CNN.com home page a few moments ago:



That is a cop, with his finger on the trigger of what appears to be a Glock pistol, and that gun is pointed at an individual in the red and white vehicle.

Notice also the cop at the left, with an extended spring-whip baton. Behind them all, notice the soldier, in cammo.

I don't know what led up to this moment, I do know that the headline and article indicate that people are attempting to return to flooded locations, and are being denied access.

If any one image has reiterated the need to ensure that you have what you NEED and what you WANT ready to go quickly, this is it.

I long ago packed my long-term stuff in airport style rolling cases, right next to my fire safe. I store all critical documents mirrored on to EXTERNAL hard drives so that's all I need to grab on the way out the door, if needed.

If we were told to go, any time of the day, 24/7, we could, in 10 minutes or less and as much as I'd miss my house, we'd have what we need to get by.

First, good for you.

Second, what system should be in place to deal with the situation where you are away from home when the emergency occurs and you are denied access back to your home?

Wow, talk about a 1,000 words!

Time to check our BOB's to make sure DD1&2's emergency clothes still fit. They outgrow stuff so fast.

Thank's for the very intense reminder.

-Blast

Don't forget the last officer, on the driver's side. Looks like Samuel L. Jackson. I wouldn't want to mess with Samuel L. Jackson with a gun pointed at my head either.

All kidding aside, that's a tough situation--both for the authorities trying to keep people safe and minimize looting, and for the people desperate to get to their homes and businesses to salvage stuff, take care of pets, etc.

Since flooding is such a common disaster, I keep telling myself that I need to make sure to pick a bank on high ground if I'm going to put important documents in a safety deposit box. I still may not be able to get into the bank for a while, but at least the contents will be high and dry. Then again, if the entire area is flood prone...

There are so many things wrong with that picture (tactics wise) that I just don't know where to start...

Wow. Crazy.

Keep in mind that this is from CNN. Don't be too quick to judge the cops. Unless I see what the person in the truck is doing, i'll give the cops the benefit of the doubt. It is possible the driver of the truck is upset and making threats. Who knows. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but they may be the wrong words. Tomorrow you may see a picture of the driver of the truck with a gun pointed at the cop and it will be a totally different headline.Don't believe everything you read and only half of what you see.

I think my point is that you never know what wil happen at a checkpoint. I staffed a checkpoint when we had floods, and had a guy drive straight at me and another firefighter when we refused to let him pass. He was arrested, and I pressed charges and he did a short amount of time for it. It's best to just stay the hell away.

Rule number somethingorother...Do Not Stand In Front Of A Vehicle. 'Specially if the driver is mad, upset, drunk, crazy, etc...

There is a bit more to it;
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/06/16/iowa.floods/index.html