Weapons—Go to the garage and bring all rifles and handguns in the house. No need to secure the ammunition. It’s located in the safe in the house.Grab all rifle and handgun magazines which are also located in the safe in the house.
Load all magazines with the appropriate ammunition.
Place a magazine in the magazine well of each rifle and handgun BUT DO NOT LOAD A ROUND IN THE CHAMBER.
Double check to ensure the safety is on for each weapon.
**IMPORTANT** Place and hide a weapon in each room of the house. Makes sure all family members know what weapon is in what room. Place four extra magazines or extra ammunition with each weapon. The purpose of hiding a rifle or gun in each room is to ensure we always have access to a weapon.
Food—Move the food from the shed and garage into the house. The shed can be broken into and items stolen without you knowing.Place food in each room of the house. In other words, spread it out. This is a precaution so if it’s stolen from one room you’ll still have food hidden in other rooms.
Security—Set up a security detail. It will be hard until the entire family is together but set up a schedule where someone is always on security detail (24/7). It’s a pain but it could save your life.Setup a security perimeter. I have 30 tripwire security alerts in the garage with instructions. Place them around our property and they will give you advance notice of intruders.
LISTEN to Benny. Benny has very good hearing and hears things we can’t at distances we can’t. If he barks, at a minimum, scan the area.
We have two night vision monoculars as well as binoculars. They’re located in the garage in the Communications bin.
Cover all windows with blackout drapes. The drapes block all light (candles, flashlights, etc.) and movement that could be seen by others who are looking into the house. You need to be discreet in all of your actions.
Power—We have a whole-house generator that will provide power to the house. Considerations when using the generator:We only have 1,000 gallons of propane. Use it wisely.
The generator is housed in a soundproof structure (at least as soundproof as we could make it) but it will still make noise that will attract the attention of unwanted people in the area.
Be cautious and ensure everyone is on High Alert when running it. At a minimum, post 2 security details.
Before running the generator, make sure to check the oil level. Oil can be found in the garage if needed.
Light—Caution: When using lights at night be aware that neighbors will take notice. Use the blackout curtains.Honey candles—Can be found in the garage. Use the Inventory manual to find them. Use the honey candles for the following reasons They’re organic.
They emit significantly less smoke than commercially produced candles.
They’re fragrance-free.
We save on batteries.
We have a ton of them.
Lantern—LED and very efficient.Operate off AA or AAA batteries—We have a limited supply of batteries so use sparingly.
Batteries are in garage.
Lantern (12 volt)—LED and very efficient.Operates off a 12-volt battery which is in the garage.
A 12-volt battery is simply a car battery.
Lantern—Coleman.Operates off of White Fuel—in garage.
Limited supply of white fuel—use sparingly.
Spare parts (wicks, pump rebuild kit) in garage.
Heat—Be aware of Carbon Monoxide with any heater. If the SHTF occurred in the winter and there is no power, don’t worry, we have multiple sources of heat.
Big Buddy® heaters—We have two. They’re in black carry bags.They operate on the small propane canisters that are stored in the garage and shed.
Use this heat source only until you can get the Yukon M-1950 wood stove installed and in place.
Yukon M-1950—Stored in the garage. About 10” tall and 36” long. The stove is rectangular in shape.Uses wood as the fuel.
The stove needs to be placed on the living room floor on top of the fire bricks.
The fire bricks are stored in the same area as the stove in the garage.
I’ve made wood cutouts that will fit in the window and can be found in the garage.
The double-walled flu piping will be routed from the back of the Yukon M-1950 through the precut board which will then vent to the outside.
ONCE AGAIN: You need to be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure the stove is properly vented.
Coleman Heater—about 8” tall and circular in shape.Uses white fuel, same as Coleman lanterns, as a fuel source.
Will not produce a ton of heat but could supplement any of the heaters above.
Communication—We have several means of communication.Baofeng UV-5R radioWe have eight of them and they all have pre-programmed channels.
The main channel will be ‘McTat1.’
There are headsets for each radio to make sure communications are not heard and remain secure. Use them!
Shortwave radiosMore complex to setup but reaches a longer range.
WWII field phonesUsed if a Listening Post/Observation Post is established (below).
NOAA Dynamo radioEmergency weather radio that can be cranked by hand to provide power.
TV – 12 VoltTV can be connected to a car battery which can be found in the garage.
LPOP (Listening Post/Observation Post)—This is a location on our property from where we can watch and listen for (enemy) activity for the security and intelligence of the family. It needs to be a location that has a complete overview of the property yet remains hidden. Below are things to take note of when establishing an LPOP.Consider the following:The LPOP should take advantage of natural cover and concealment to provide protection.
Within rifle range of the house.
Select a covered and concealed route to and from the LPOP.
Avoid obvious terrain such as hilltops.
CommunicationYou must be able to report what you see and hear.
We have two WWII phones and telephone wire that can be used for communication between the LPOP and the house.
Run the telephone wire, underground, if possible and allowable, from the LPOP to the house and then connect to the telephones.
ManningIf possible always use two-(wo)man teams.
Equipment to have in LPOPBinoculars, maps, compass, monocular (night vision), field phone, paper and pencil, a watch.
Uniforms—All family members, while at the Kentucky house or Bug Out Location, are to where Italian military Vegetato battle dress units (BDU). Consider the following:The Italian BDUs have a uniquely different color pattern when compared to US BDU’s.
Allows us to quickly identify a person on our property as friend or foe.
If you are wearing the uniform your friend. If not, your foe.
The Italian BDU’s cannot be easily purchased and are hard to find. Hence the reason it’s our standard dress when on the property.
Food
MEDICINAL
personal care
Comfort
misc
Alcohol—Any type
Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Aspirin
Dental Floss
Hand Warmers (sporting goods)
Aluminum Foil
Beans—(pinto, white, black)
Alcohol Wipes
Allergy Relief medication
Batteries—Any type
12 Volt Car Batteries (Deep Cycle)
Coffee—Any type
Bandages (Any)
&
nbsp; Contact Solutions
Blankets
Bleach (UNSCENTED)
Cooking Oil
Benadryl
Feminine Products—Any type
Candy—Any type
Bottled Water
Electrolyte Powders (Gatorade or similar)
First Aid Kits
Hand Sanitizer
Games—Any type—Toy department
Cast Iron cookware (Camping section)
Flour
Hydrocortisone Cream
Heartburn medication—Zantac
Lantern Mantles (for lantern—camping section)
Flashlights - Any type
Garden Seeds—Any type
Hydrogen Peroxide
Lip Balm (Burts Bees—Carmex)
Pillows
Fuel Stabilizer
Honey
Ibuprofen
Soap
Propane canisters (camping department)
Gas Cans - Any type
Mountain House Freeze Dried Food (camping department)
Imodium
Soap—Any type
Propane Lantern (camping dept)
Lighter Fluid
Rice
Isopropyl Alcohol—Any %
Toilet Paper
Propane stove (camping dept)
Lighters of any type
Spaghetti—Noodles in general
Nasal Mist
Tooth Paste
Rain Gear
Matches - Any type
Spices of all types—Grocery Section
Orajel (mouth care)
Toothbrush
Sleeping bags
White Fuel (camping section) 1 Gallon containers
Sugar
Triple Antibiotic Ointment
Vitamins—Any type
Clothing—Various
Ziplock bags®
AFTER READING THE manual, Randall paused for a second and looked at Benny.
“This is one time we should listen to dad,” Randall told him.
Benny looked up only hoping to hear the word ‘treat’ but instead, Randall continued.
“He said re-read the manual and that’s what I’m going to do.”
After re-reading the manual, Randall went to the safe and took out $2,500 in small bills. For reasons only known to his dad, he placed the money in his front left pocket. He felt uncomfortable when he noticed his pocket bulged after placing the money in it.
“That’s noticeable,” he whispered.
To make sure nobody saw the bulge he would wear either a sweater or light jacket to cover his pocket. Against his better judgment, Randall decided he would go by himself to the stores. He had no idea when Cali or his mom would be home. He knew that he had the best chance of getting the supplies his dad listed if he were to leave now before the sheeple realized what was going on.
“Benny, you’re my partner. Let’s do this,” Randall excitedly told Benny.
Randall grabbed the Suburban keys and being familiar with how to start it, pushed the glow plug button for 10 seconds. He then turned the key causing the big diesel engine to rumble before shooting black smoke from the exhaust. As the diesel engine warmed up, Randall opened the back swing-out doors of the Suburban, hustled to the garage, and carried fifteen gas, diesel, and kerosene cans to the vehicle. Once they were loaded he shut the doors and now had a decision to make. He was confident the power was out so why would he go to the bank or ATM. He knew it would most likely be a waste of time and instead decided to use the cash in his pocket to purchase goods if anything was even open.
His first stop would be Dollar General which was about two miles away and literally in the middle of nowhere. Randall lifted Benny into the Suburban, slammed the door shut, and began driving down the drive. As he approached the end of the drive he was flagged down by Frank.
20
Testy Neighbor
“WHAT THE HECK. POWER’S OUT. CELL PHONES NOT WORKING. Randall driving Oz’s Suburban when my car won’t start,” Frank said without Randall being able to hear.
With few neighbors and most having at least five acres, he wasn’t worried that someone might be listening. And even if they were, he still wouldn’t care. Randall noticed that Frank seemed to always be looking down their drive. It didn’t matter what time of day or night. It was creepy.
“Where you going, Randall?” Frank said while looking Randall directly in the eyes and placing his hands on the Suburban door. “I saw you walking up your drive. Did your car quit? I can help you fix it. I know your dad’s out of town.”
Chills ran down Randall’s back. He responded, “No Sir. No help needed. It quit right up the road. Dad is having it towed to the repair shop sometime today. Appreciate it though.”
“Weird. We lost power and my damn cell phone isn’t working. Any idea what’s going on?” Frank said as he tried to look into the Suburban but was unable to due to the 6-inch lift kit and tinted windows; a thoroughly thought out security detail by Oz.
Randall acted as if he knew nothing and respectfully responded, “Sorry, sir. I’m not sure what you’re talking about. I didn’t even notice the power was out. I’m sure it will come back on shortly. Apologize, but I have to head to the store for my mom.”
Frank looked puzzled before asking Randall one last question, “Can I go in your dad’s garage and borrow the battery charger? I think the battery in my car died.”
“Best not to sir. I’ll call my dad and ask him and let you know when I get back. I have to head to the store. I really need to go or I’ll get in trouble. Take care,” Randall said with haste.
“That was not good,” Randall said as he petted Benny. “We’re going to have to be on the lookout.”
Frank turned and looked down the drive while talking to himself, “I wonder where Randall went? There’s something about that family. I have no idea what he does but Oz is always building something. He’s always taking his Suburban and trailer and coming back with stuff.”
With Randall gone and Nicki and Oz not home, Frank looked around and walked down the drive. He stopped in front of the garage door and checked the main door. It was locked. He walked to the side of the garage and looked in the window.
“Damn Oz. Just like him to put cardboard in the windows.”
Upset and beginning to get angry, Frank walked over to the 10x20 shed that was tucked away within the trees next to Oz’s house. Frank noticed that Oz kept the overhead door locked with a unique and different lock. It wasn’t worth Frank’s time. He turned and tried the man door on the side of the shed. It was locked. Because the ground surrounding the shed was uneven, the side of the shed where the man door and window was located wa
s not easy to access given the height. He would need a ladder at a minimum.
“Wonder what’s in there,” Frank said while trying to open the man door again. “Must be something important to keep all the doors locked.”
Without another thought, Frank turned and began walking home. He stopped and admired Oz’s raised bed gardens and noticed that all the trees on the property were well mulched. The mulch around the trees was about three feet high and about six feet in circumference. What he didn’t know was that Oz would grow plants in the mulch that helped to prevent insects from destroying the tree and the fruit it produced. This was his approach to natural insecticides. Over time the mulch also broke down into soil which benefited the trees in addition to retaining water which provided constant moisture to the tree.
The real secret was the survival caches buried under most of those mulch piles. Oz stored food, medications, and ammunition all over his property and had maps showing the location and contents of each cache. He was a firm believer in the philosophy that you don’t store everything in one location. Frank continued his walk home, went in the house, grabbed a beer, and sat outside on the porch. He stood up, crushing the beer can in his hand, and with a scowling look stared in the direction of Oz’s house.
21
Dad’s Manual
RANDALL PASSED SEVERAL CARS THAT HAD STALLED ON THE highway but the drive to Dollar General was uneventful. As he parked the Suburban, it was easy to notice that the power was off. The store doors were wide open where he could see movement inside but no lights. He rolled the front driver side window halfway down for Benny and exited the vehicle.
The E.M.P. Chronicles (Book 1): 458 Miles & 24 Days Page 11