> We didn't have the manpower to go door to door

This is a good use of local CERT volunteers. My town is having just such an exercise in March - sending CERT volunteers door to door to simulate distributing information to city residents. We'll be handing out flyers to advertise CERT training, but we could be telling people to evacuate.

There are clearly problems other than people leaving home empty handed. If there is a refinery, the refinery itself needs to have plans for fires, explosions, and leaks. Those plans should include agreements with local schools or other places where people can shelter, and the locations should depend on what the problem is. The local police should know where people should go, instead of telling them to go away. Cops, firefighters, and EMTs should be aware of what the problem is and what the planned response is.

And yes, people should have taken their bail out bags. If they didn't, it's a clear indication that there needs to be training. There needs to be a CERT program in that area so that people know what problems they face, what symptoms they may experience in a leak, how to treat victims, and so on.

(And since it's a refinery, they should be using cyalume instead of sparking flashlights and such. :->)

I think it is important to let individuals know that is what you could be doing. If they're not there, there should be supplementary paper that states it was for training.

Also, most places from what I can tell do not recruit daytime businesses in their area. You can have a much larger daytime population, but everyone you have trained is not where you need them. Approach businesses about being a good "corporate citizen" and allowing workers to be available for local emergencies. The employee can do the training on their own time, but work can give them time off without penalty. The best way would be offer training in the immediate area of their business so they can attend easily.

I've been thinking about what you posted for awhile now. I agree with the "If you don't bring something, you can't play" mentality to a point...but there were several individuals that night that couldn't bring much to the "party". (Blind, nonambulatory, etc.) Who tells them they can't "play"? And yes, that would be charity to be helping them.

Your own safety/well-being and your family's come first, but I don't look forward to having to turn away someone in need, especially someone handicapped or injured.

I've been an independent-minded guy for awhile now (as most on this forum are) but I worry that the concept of cooperation with one's neighbors is glossed over, or simply shrugged at.

Ben, I'd urge you to read about a real SHTF situation, that of Sarajevo, a modern city surrounded and besieged. According to some interesting accounts, those who learned quickly to cooperate with their neighbors had a good chance of getting extra food, medicine, etc.

This has come up several times, and I agree- as much as I will do whatever I can to protect myself and my spouse by being prepared, I am also preparing for those around me that can't or won't.

I want to have lots of friends, resourceful or not, when things get hairy.

Strength in numbers and all that.