I need some help, I i was out of electricty on January 2,2000 and my family needed help and the world as we know it is going to hell where would you post a message for help? I have a laptop computer with a full charge , i have 45 minutes of online time to get my message out and then no more power. How would one most effectivly spend the time getting help or a messge out to the world that we are here and ok but require assistance as soon as available. We can last six months with supplies and heating. But with out a phone cord or electricity what to do???

-- blue (bluefish@thepond.com), November 25, 1999

Answers

Blue,

Give us your name, phone number, and address immediately, so that we can warn you ahead of time. But of course, you might not believe us when we tell your present self that your future self needs assistance. I'm not sure how we will convince you that your preps were not enough, ultimately.

(grin)

Sincerely,
Stan Faryna

Ready for Y2K? Got 14 days of water, food, way to keep warm and cook?
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=001o cf

Cooperative Preps : Have you checked out the deals we can get on  preps?

One time deal on a inexpensive grain mill
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=001q Sw

Water filters for less than suggested retail
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=001q T8

Gas masks, potassium iodide, solar ovens, etc
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=001q TK

Aladdins: the kerosene lamp for readers
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=001p 1v

-- Stan Faryna (faryna@groupmail.com), November 25, 1999.

The police dept. in Phoenix is saying, if you lack communication from home, go to the nearest fire station. They will have an officer stationed at each of the 40 plus stations around Phoenix and will provide assistance.

-- tc (trashcan-man@webtv.net), November 25, 1999.

Your phone line and electricity is out, and you're going to post a message somewhere?

*How*?

If you've got a regular modem, you're dead in the water if the phone line is out.

If you've got one of them thar newfangled ISDN/DSL/Cable modems, you'll need electricity.

-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), November 25, 1999.

Prayer

-- Tom (flstplt@yahoo.com), November 25, 1999.

Your state or county probably has a website with an office of emergency services. This might have an e-mail. You could send a message there. I do think, however, that internet communications would probably not be the best way of asking for help and posting status if electricity and the phone lines were out.

-- marsh (armstrng@sisqtel.net), November 25, 1999.

Blue, if you drive, keep your gas tank filled, then use the car only for emergencies if things look bad and gas is hard to get. Prepare now with first aid supplies at home. Best of luck.

-- Mara (MaraWayne@aol.com), November 25, 1999.

Not to be snotty, but hoppin' in the car and driving to an ER comes to mind. If it is just after midnight, then the hospital generator should have enough diesel to serve you. On a serious note, I have a colleague on dialysis. Anyone here with friends/family with chronic health issues that might be able to suggest contingency plans? All I can figure is maybe networking with someone who has a shortband and generator, so that if our area blacks out, then he can locate a region that perhaps will have power/water for dialysis? Throw himself on the mercy of our local Red Cross? It must be so horrible to have life threatening illness now. Another colleague is in the middle of chemo for brain and right lung masses. Any tips you guys have that I can pass on would be appreciated. Sigh.

-- Hokie (nn@va.com), November 25, 1999.

Good luck if you got food and water will be better off than millions of Americans, as for telling folks you are ok well, they will be to busy looking after themselves to care. Happy Thankgiving!

-- sandy (rstyree@overland.net), November 25, 1999.

blue; Appears you have thought of a potential problem we might all face,but never addressed. my thoughts would be find a cheap CB radio and antenna like truckers use on BIG RIGS, think they are called HOT STICKS. Probably the best CB antenna available. have a 12 volt battery from your car/truck and get clamps or plug for 12 volt power. At least you could broadcast for several miles in any direction for help/assistance. A 40 channel CB should be real cheap about now, and anyone you contact could help you out, besides the CB has CH-9 which is for Emergency Help... Furie...

-- Furie (furieart@dnet.net), November 25, 1999.

Hi Blue,

Maybe it's just me, but if things are so bad that the grid/phone failed, the LAST thing I'd do would be to advertise the fact that I had plenty of supplies. Six months is way, way more than Joe Sixpack is going to have. Shhhhh.

-- Colin MacDonald (roborogerborg@yahoo.com), November 26, 1999.

Thanks for the answers, the CB thing sounds good. Are you telling me that if the power stays on and the ohone stays on ALL of you will not post your status here or what? Will any of the posters let me know how and where i can assemble my preps in the New York Area to assemble a large contingent of preped people to defend against joe puplic? Blue.

-- blue (bluefish@thepond.com), November 26, 1999.

I'm trying to find out if the town, fire dept and ambulance squads have had a meeting to coordinate their Y2k efforts yet in our small mountain township. Ambulance guy I know says they haven't gotten together. I'm trying to get them to set up reasonable ways of letting us know what is happening in the event of a telecommunications breakdown. I'd like them to make some decisions about when the firehouses and ambulances will have staff there, what the stated conditions would be for setting that emergency plan into action (power out 10 hours Nov-April? 24 rest of year?). Do they have at least chalkboards to say "we will have the station open for water from 9-12 every day?"

Local police don't necessarily monitor CB. There are websites (don't know where offhand) that list local ham operators, you could find out if there is one in your area.

-- Firemouse (firemouse@fcmail.com), November 26, 1999.

got buckshot?

-- zoobie (zoobiezoob@yahoo.com), November 27, 1999.

We have our doubts about how open and forthcoming Local Gov is going to be about failures. In our neck of the woods the local honchos have exacted agreement from the media NOT to show or report failures for fear of "alerting" the public to trouble spots.

Cover-Up is Ruling Policy.

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), November 27, 1999.