So in all fairness to emergency service's of Calgary it was an excellent day for a family to have a free day out....Everything with flashing lights was there and a really good group of first responders to take and answer your every question.....
But with that said; as far as there Idea of promoting 72 hour emergency preparedness it was a joke.....They had one sun shade tent provided by" Atco" power for Alberta emergency planing, there Idea of a 72 hour pack is as follows, 1 cup of noodles 5 packs of instant oatmeal, candles one emergency blanket A self generating flash light one self generating radio...' THEY GOT 2 ITEMS RIGHT"..AND a little bit of crap that looks like it came from the dollar store..they also had a small sun shade tent with very minimal information about water storage and where to find drinkable water in your house, but nothing on how to treat water.....So here is the best part; when my wife and I walked up to the tent they asked if we had a 72 hour kit...We then informed them we had a 7 day kit....there answer was OOH Really I'm not even that prepared...But then if there was an emergency I would be called in to help coordinate the provincial efforts.....[ I will sleep easy knowing I am in her capable hands..]....Also her answer to us in regards to what we thought there 72 your kit lacked was....[ SIT DOWN FOR THIS ONE].....The Government of Alberta would inform the public of what kind of and to what degree of a disaster we are facing and how they would want us to pack or deal with it on the emergency radio band......[OOOOH GOODY].... my Sauveur ].....So basically they want you to have a couple of candles an emergency blanket a cup of noodles and instant oat meal......How you are supposed to cook the crap I have no idea because there was not a stove in sight [of any kind] and no water filtration ideas or even ways to purify water...So I guess you choke down the dry noodles and for desert instant [ DRY ] OATMEAL]......Ooh and you get to where the same clothes for days on end because there plastic tupperware they had to store there supplies where about 10 by 12 by 3 inches.....[ they did have two of them].....Not even a pack of baby wipes just to try and get the crust off.....
They did hand out a small fold out brochure with good info, but as far a visual and actually show and tell , very inadequate...
Our assessment was this; We have Great equipment and fine first responders but after that, if people left there thinking they had learned something about emergency preparedness they are in la la land.....and will be wondering where there government is when the real emergency hits....
Better to have it and not need it; then to need it and not have it...
I was toying with the idea to check out that show today but I was a bit tired from my yesterday LDS fair and Red Deer trip. Ironically while coming back from Red Deer I was thinking that I would probably get better prepping info from the Calgary group meeting next Sat May 11 and wasn't overly eager to check out the government sponsored one. Thanks for being the canary in the coal mine! Now that I think of it I'm glad your giving us this info because it confirms that we shouldn't be relying on the government/city to help us in a disaster situation.
"...and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
Yeah the ATCO tent 72 hour kit was very bare bones. There was another booth that had a better one in a suitcase, it had caned goods, a real blanket, first aid kits, bottled water, documents folder, and a stuffed toy for a kid. I don't recall all of what was in it I didn't stay long at the booths
I think the kits were just examples of what should go in, not the full out kit. It's a good start but it can get better
Thanks for the "heads up" guys. I think that it's fair to say that bureaucracy suffers from the same near sightedness that individuals do. We haven't had a major "event" here in Alberta for decades. A similar show held in one of the American gulf states or even in Quebec where the learning is more recent would likely improve the quality of the content. Sadly, we learn more by touching a hot stove element than by being told that the stove element is hot.
Needs must when the devil drives.
Yes I was disappointed myself. Seemed like it was more a show of power then an education event. But you have to admit that we as bonified peppers will be looking at this event a little different then someone who is just starting out or has never even considered being prepared. The whole idea of the expo was to get people thinking about being prepared for a disaster, and I commend the city for doing a good job at that. They realize that no matter how many staff you have, and how many flashing lights you command, you need the people to take care of themselves while you bring everything to bear.
There was a great turn out at McMahon stadium, hopefully all those people will go home and think "you know, why stop at 72 hours? Why not a week, month, or year?"
Also, perhaps if they run it again next year a group from Canada peppers could host a booth? Show the city what real prepping is all about
See you all after.
Also, perhaps if they run it again next year a group from Canada peppers could host a booth? Show the city what real prepping is all about
Yeah, this would probably show to people what "real" preps are all about. But, of course, don't be showing any fire-arms on display or too many sharp-edged weapons. I would think a display of a good BOB, along with camping items, water back-up / purification system and food-stuffs would be best.
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Is what you say worth at least a Canadian nickel now?
Cause two cents ain't worth squat anymore !
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Self-sufficient is good. Co-efficient is better.
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Maybe we can convince Briden Solutions to host a booth. I'm sure they wouldn't mind drumming up business and showing what long term food and water storage is about
Thanks for the description. My wife & I talked about going but we anticipated something like this. I said to her "I'd like to go but I can't find any other exhibitions listed other than the regular police, fire, ect ect".
Now I'm glad we didn't waste our time. Going and looking at freshly washed & waxed police cars & ambulances and being told to call 911 doesn't add to our knowledge much.
I agree with every thing you said there buggie,and was thinking the same thing myself......Maybe this is something we can add to tomorrow's discussion's...
Better to have it and not need it; then to need it and not have it...