STANDING GUARD AT THE WALLS OF THE CITY

On September 29, 2010, the City of Federal Way will present an Urban Disaster Preparedness session. It will be at 6:30 PM at City Hall:

The topics on which we hope to provide a complete report are expected to include:

• Water storage considerations. What to store water in, and for how long. How much to store and various methods to make water safe to drink. Rotation and other emergency uses of water will be cover as well.

• Food storage considerations. How to create an emergency food storage system. The types of foods ideal for emergency storage, health and sanitation concerns, rotation ideas.

Presentation is free but registration is required and will be taken up to September 29. To register or for more information, contact Ray Gross, ray.gross@cityoffederalway.com.

253.835.2712.

Last year Nandell Palmer hosted an event honoring unsung heroes. We honored men and women that raise families, nurture churches and encourage others. The program included song, dance, oratory and a feast that Nandell and his family prepared and served themselves!

We are asking everyone in and around Federal Way to think about how we can honor our First Responders. We also need to honor men and women like a JAG officer I know that had to leave his business for a year and assist as an active-duty military lawyer helping soldiers at Fort Hood in Texas. We now realize that stateside duty is just as dangerous as going to Iraq or Afghanistan.

Every place is a danger zone! Modern tactical doctrine has evolved to the point where recognizable fronts and uniformed armies have been replaced with committed packs of warriors that randomly circulate in small teams looking for opportunities. Thus, a teacher, a firefighter or a janitor may need to be just as vigilant as a member of our special forces in Afghanistan!

The potential for danger is all around us every day, not just during an obvious catastrophe. This is why churches and pastors may be the most important key to getting ready for future events. The sense of community that already exists in churches requires that pastors, priests and rabbis- even imams and other leaders- train those within our various spiritual communities so that we do not just react to crises. Every business organization should be discussing these issues and begin creating a plan. Get into CERT training and classes provided by the City, state and federal governments and recognize First Responders that labor among you.

Many of us already have extra food and emergency supplies. None of us are able to take all the steps necessary to prepare for every contingency. We depend on each other. The beginning of good government is when neighbors voluntarily pool resources in order to provide for each other’s well-being and for the common defense.

Historically, public order starts with volunteerism. A militia is formed. We divide into specialties and lose the sense of duty to protect our own family. Eventually a strongman starts using force to extort goods and services from his neighbors and the people have to take the intitiative again by making our voices heard and preparing to confront violence with or without help from the surrounding community. The police and even your neighbors may be overwhelmed during a big disaster.

Every Thanksgiving, I appreciate America’s Biblical roots, the U.S. Constitution and the freedom to talk and write about such things. I also appreciate the professionals that have sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution and stand guard over the City!