Lets say that your instinct (your ‘gut’, your ‘spidey’ senses) are warning your inner self of a potentially imminent terrorist attack…
…maybe there has been an unusually high number of reported threats, or a recent incident (which may be ‘just the beginning’ of something bigger), or an upcoming event or holiday which could prove ‘ideal’ for such a thing, etc…
No matter the reason for the uptick in alertness, What are you going to do?
Assuming that you are already reasonably prepared in general (since you’re here on a survival preparedness site and reading this…), you might consider the following recommendations:
Security check. Do a quick evaluation of where you stand with regards to your personal security – which is ultimately your own responsibility. You’ve likely heard the saying, “When seconds count, the police are only minutes away…”. The police cannot and will not be everywhere and YOU are the front line of defense. Should a major terrorist attack occur, the closer you are to ‘ground zero’, the more this will matter.
Should a major terrorist attack occur, the instinctive reaction for many gun owners will be to go out and buy more ammo (same thing happens when there’s a threat of more so called ‘gun control’. With that said, it’s a good idea to preemptively check your inventory.
For maximum effect, an organized terrorist attack will likely focus on public spectacle to boost panic. Crowds. Public gatherings and events. Logically then, avoid these places when your instinct tells you…
Top off your gas tank. Should you suspect that something may be about to happen, go out and fill your tank. Having a vehicle all set with ‘maximum range’ is always a good thing. Maybe you are away from home and may need to return quickly and without disruption. Etc…
Stay close to home. Your home is your castle. It’s probably where most all of your preparedness inventory is kept. Should SHTF, home is where you will want to be.
Have a plan to get home. If you’re in the region where the attack takes place, in a worst case scenario there might come a period of time when .gov issues a ‘lock-down’. Given the example of the Boston bomber teenager who shut down the entire region of the State, if there were to be a much larger scale coordinated attack than the Boston example – the resultant .gov reaction might pale in comparison.
It will be a judgement call, but if you’re away from home and you believe that the scope of the event has reached a certain threshold, you might high-tail it back home before they close it all down…
Double check the 72-hour kit in your vehicle. This may be a good time to preemptively check your kit. A ‘rule of thumb’ is to keep 3 days food in your vehicle’s 72-hour emergency kit (2000 calories per day per person).
Visit the ATM. Having an interim supply of extra cash is always a good idea, so if your instinct is on alert, then pull some extra cash out of the bank for emergency ‘cash flow’.
Top off the fuel for your furnace. Obviously winter-related, but should things get real chaotic, there may be some supply and distribution issues for awhile. Your home heating is a priority, so keep it closer to full than empty. Top off your heating oil or propane or whatever…
BONUS TIP. Relax… Being ‘prepared’ in general will bring on a more relaxed state of being. Most preparedness-minded folks are not worried or fearful. Instead they are simply ‘prepared’ and tend to be more ‘situation aware’. The 7 tips listed above are simply several of many quick checks that you might consider while your ‘spidey senses’ are seemingly warning of a potential imminent terrorist-type threat (for whatever reason).
Your turn… Add to the list. Assuming that you’re already prepared, what are some of the things that might be helpful (a mental checklist) as last minute considerations during a time of imminent uncertainty?
If you have kids in school, make sure you have a plan for them, and they know what to do.
I went to a seminar about safety when shooters at schools and public buildings take hold by a swat team. They told me the schools are doing drills for “Active Shooters” now, and all who have children in schools should check to see if their schools have this program.
Though I live in Canada and policies may be different, I can attest that these drills are absolutely terrible. They lock the door, close the blinds and put everyone in a corner. This is the policy for a shooter or a overly suspicious person. Now, I don’t know about you, but if I was a target, I don’t think a lock or window stands much of a chance against a gun–and once they get in everyone is nice and clumped together, not to mention at a distance that would give him reassurance that they couldn’t rush him.
Every time this happens in my school, I try to ascertain whether there’s ACTUALLY a shooter (I listen for gunshots or screaming) If I were to ever hear them, I would stack next to the door and ready myself to fight because I would much rather die fighting than sitting in a corner.
I agree with stacking and fighting. I practiced this when I taught. Also had improvised weapons available. Now I am a principal and have attended more safety conferences that I can count. I am also a Reserve Deputy for our county and have trained numerous times with our state police in both capacities. The most effective thing at stopping a shooter besides a good guy with a gun is a locked door. Our doors are 2″ solid oak. Walls are concrete block. These killers won’t take the time to try to gain entry. They know they only have a few minutes before they are taken out. We also don’t huddle in a corner anymore.
Good point, though, if they had specific targets, and some may if they have a particular vendetta with certain people like bullies, then they may pick a particular class and attempt to gain entry into. As well, if they have a particular hate against someone, they may also project this hate on everyone else because of their lack of action.
I still think a few shots at the lock with a good gun would be all that it takes. All I know is that in Canada, it’s almost like people are waiting for the slaughter, whether it’s something like this or the terrible gun control laws.
What do you both mean by “stack By door” please?
Stand by door just out of sight. Our doors have one little slit of glass. It is not big enough to fit a hand through. If the bad guy makes entry, attack as they walk through the door. I taught 7 and 8th graders and was very up front with them. The biggest boys were right behind me. A few of us may die, but no one can stop a grown athletic man and 15 boys followed by 15 girls. It is better than sitting in the corner. LEO do the same thing. Stack (line up) by a door before making entry. You present more targets than can be handled and overwhelm them.
One thing ALL classrooms should have is a dry chemical fire extinguisher. A blast of “Baking Powder” in the face and a bonk on the head of a metal cylinder will cool things off quickly.
Thank you for your volunteer service as a Reserve Deputy. It is a good thing that some people are compelled to be a Sheepdog…
Do Not Kick the Sheepdog
Thank you Ken. I am very proud and honored to serve with our Sheriff and Deputies. He is a good one who takes his oath to the Constitution seriously.
@ Chamele0n
I’d like to double ditto that, I believe we (hopefully) are going to start to see a lot more good people standing up and making sense as you have/do.
People, we have NOT lost our GREAT country as of the last time I checked, and I check a LOT. We ALL need to stand up and be noticed as the “good guys/gals.
Speech over, Sorry
NRP
i’m with u man, either fight and win, or die trying
On gut feelings or ‘spidey sense’: I had just such a feeling before 9/11. I am not clairvoyant. I just happened to work with a guy from Afghanistan and we spoke often about his home country and its recent history. On the 10th I remember he was extremely agitated that Ahmad Shah Massoud had been killed and we wondered out loud whether Al Qaeda or the Taliban might be on the attack. At the time we thought it might be just in Afghanistan or the uncontrolled areas of Pakistan, but General Massoud had spoken to the European Parliament a couple months before about, ‘Afghanistan’s problems becoming your problems’. I went to bed on the 10th feeling a bit uneasy and the next morning, as I stepped out of the shower, I heard the first reports of a plane hitting the WTC on 1010WINS. The takeaway here is that it was only because I was marginally informed that I even had a sense there was something to worry about. I knew who Massoud was. I knew who Osama bin Laden was and what the Taliban and Al Qaeda were. Get informed people! And, no, NOT from the internet. Talk to actual… Read more »
I would also make sure that your cell phone is completely charged in the case of power failure. Even if a cell call cannot get through, most of the time text messages will get through.
I still have a land-line. I’ve been told that they are going to do away with them at some point in the “near” future. I guess it’s costing the big phone companies too much money to keep them repaired. I like having a phone with it’s own power, especially since I live in hurricane alley. We still have our old “princess phone” that works! Luv ya’ll, Beach’n
Beach’n…I doubt the end of the land line is soon.
Roku needs a wifi/black box which uses the phone line. I’m sure there is already something out there for smart tvs, but I don’t want a smart tv.
Sorry, but the end is near. In fact it has already happened in some localities. Some might already be without landline without knowing it, their line goes out to an internet box. Roku doesn’t make a ripple in their business.
Landline companies are pricing themselves out of business.
I know of 6 in our community that have ended landline service and went to a VOIP service, service that costs $18.50 with taxes and 911 service fee was costing $159/mo as landline.
On landline, major company… There were %15.00 worth of taxes and fees added to every bill, I asked about some of those and it was so “the economically disadvantaged” could receive phones. I told her we were disadvantaged and would be ending their service… found option and it works well. Of course when electricity or cell phone towers get busy, service is compromised. I have never not been able to use service, tho.
I had ATT put in & asked the guy if they still put in land line phones.
He said no, if i wanted it done i would have to do it myself!!!
I was told many years ago that the only reason many companies still offer landlines is because local laws say there must be a phone in every house in case of emergency.
Great timing Ken, this little town of 50K I live near (30 miles) has had 5 bomb threats in the last weeks, 3 at schools, 1 unknown and one at the local HUGE mall this past Saturday shutting the entire place down on “lock down”. All the same MO. Some punk is writing a hand note on a mirror in a restroom. FYI, that’s a 20 year mandatory jail sentence. Sure makes me have a warm and fuzzy feeling that some idiot is playing his games like the coward he/she is. Unfortunately it leads to people not taking “real threats” seriously. Add to the list; 1) Check and clean all firearms you use for defense and keep them with you. 2) Restock the stores you may have used. 3) Check and double check the 72 hour GHB to make sure you have winter clothes in there, getting mighty cold to be walking home in tennis shoes and a Tee shirt. 4) Check with your local Sheriffs Departments on their plan for disasters, and make sure you expand on their inadequacies. Particularly where they will have road blocks set up and how to “get home”. 5) Blue told me to add….… Read more »
NRP, I heard “Blue” say he wanted some vitamins for his hips as he gets a little older. Laying on a hard floor taking care of you must be tough.:>) Just sayin’
@ Just Sayin’
Ohhhh give me a break HAHAHAHA that 110# Black Lab has it MADE!!!
I mean, his Bed, it’s a dog bed, on top a folded bed spread, on top a second bed spread…. AND I pay more for his dog food than I pay for my own… LOL
BUT!!! he is my best friend without a doubt.
NRP
You pay more for his dog food than you do for your dog food? o_O
There is no minimum age for a amateur radio license. A bright and well motivated (compensated) ten year old could pass the test. A thirty dollar hand held would be much more useful than a walkie talkie.
All good. And, sadly…timely.
– Listen to your instincts
– Put off non essential trips/appointments
– If you have kids, maybe it is time to keep them out of school..do a home study or educational trip
– Keep a battery operated radio handy, so you can get/listen to updates
– Stay away from likely “events”…concerts/malls/hospitals etc
LISTEN to your instincts/your kids’ instincts. If you wake up with a feeling you should not leave the house…Don’t! If Johnny wakes up and is in dither/worried does not want to go to school. Don’t send him. Feel his forehead and say he has a temp if necessary. Kids, especially younger kids often have more natural instincts, because they have not been drummed out of it yet. Listen.
Talked with one of my sons about this just last night. We talked about situational awareness and having a family plan for the kids. The plan helped with my grand children’s stress levels. They feel more in control of their safety with an action plan. They have practiced what to do and where to go to meet up if at school or away from home. Everyone should have an action plan. I would suggest being proactive rather than reactive. DON’T DISCOUNT YOUR FEELINGS! IF IT DON’T FEEL RIGHT IT AIN’T RIGHT. What is troubling is these people are hiding out in rural areas now. Away from cameras and people who may take notice of their behavior. What’s worse is people being afraid to speak out for fear of being called racist. I see something I will open my mouth. Or I will be getting out of Dodge.(move to live.) I have made many contacts/friends in my profession over the years. Many in the know with their own contacts in areas way above my pay grade. When people I trust tell me they are “concerned” about recent thefts, suspicious purchases and missing POI’s I pay extra attention. Hence my calls to… Read more »
The time to react is before the sheeple wake up – okay, you may jump the gun by mistake sometimes but what does it hurt and everyone needs a drill occasionally.
I agree Homebody. We have changed up our plans more than once when things seem to be a little off. We look on it as practicing our situational awareness.
@ Homebody
Would rather “jump the gun” a few dozen times, than be behind the eight ball once.
NRP
Definitely agree on getting out in front of the Sheeple. All bets are off once they figure it out.
Recently, in Missouri where I have Family and friends, there was an article about stolen propane tanks, and large purchases of burner cell phones.
So what could be done with this? Well I’m not going into details, but it could be disastrous!
Things like this goes on every day, most we don’t even realize. And most sheeple don’t even consider it suspicious. Mainly because they don’t know what could be done with materials like these.
How do you protect yourself from something like this? Well don’t become a soft target, avoid areas of large congregations of people.
Especially large publicized events, that will be gun free. It gives the bad guy plenty of time to lay out his/their plan.
But if you live a life style of being aware of your surrounding, then you can relax a bit.
Stay safe, and be aware.
Otarn, Missouri isn’t the only place these thefts have happened. They mostly go unnoticed. A theft here. A theft there. Finally people are paying attention to these type of thefts. Finding it is another matter.
The time to be really concerned is when one of the 1-5,000 gallon bulk delivery trucks disappear. Seeing as there is about 400,000 btu’s of energy in a BBQ grill tank(about 90,000 BTU’s per gallon) a truck carrying a couple of thousand gallons is a real concern. Let’s hope the FBI is paying attention to these thefts. That’s why it’s important for people to speak out if something doesn’t look right. The cops and FBI can’t be everywhere.
Agreed, and if that 40lb tank was filled with? The possibilities are scary. And the burner phones, have multiple possibilities.
With so many people stuck in their phones, the eyes are too busy and distracted.
Daily I watch how people are so unaware of what’s going on. I’ve actually had people walk into me, while their busy on the phone. Sometimes while I’m out in public, and I see someone walking towards me distracted. I stop and let them just walk into me. Replies vary, from apology, to watch where your going?
So it’s easy for these Bad guys, to get away with what ever they want. When most of us are so distracted.
Several automatic weapons were recently stolen from a military installation. This was reported the same day as a suspicious order of thousands of UPS uniforms by an individual. It wouldn’t be too hard to paint a delivery truck brown and stripe it like UPS trucks. Fill it with propane. Park it by a crowd and call the burn phone.
We have a password. If the kids get it in a text. They know where to rally. I did a drill just once. It worked perfectly. (Tabasco). Cause things are getting hot. P.s. you can get out 50 text. For one phone call.
Top your gas tank……………NO< NO< NO< Always have a 3/4 tank regardless of where you are or what you are doing.
Hard to do?? Make it a priority!!It could save your life.
I don't mean every time you use 1/4 tank fill up like if you are traveling or shopping all day and running lots of errands …I mean never go home with less than 3/4.
I have to ask, why only 3/4 full?
Because, for me if I’m running errands, I may have used a little, 1/4 tank or so.
But not to scare those out there, I do go home with full tank 90% of the time. 🙂
3/4 is good. Full is better.
Remember to feed ole Blue,with some Good Dogfood, for when time’s get really bad. O’Blue might become dinner.
Many yrs ago, when working the late shift, we had a new foreman who was turning out to be real jerk (former co-worker). He was out to prove to the company that he knew what he was doing. One day, a co-worker came to me and said, and I quote, ” why don’t you bring one of your handguns to work and blow SOB out of his misery”. I was taken aback because this guy was a real laid back type of guy. No fighting, no trouble, nothing. When I asked him if he thought I was stupid or what, his answer blew away. He said yes, that I was stupid and dumb enough to do something like that.Needless to say, I lost all respect for that guy (even tho I still had to work with him for another few yrs). Then the union rep jumped all over me because someone had said that I was going to start shooting people for no reason. I told him that I wasn’t stupid and I don’t think he believed me. I signed off of that shift to another department and not too long after that the foreman was fired for harassment. So… Read more »
Excellent advice, don’t be a soft target. Today I found myself totally helpless. Despite practicing situational awareness today, I would have been a target.
Went to the hospital to have some minor surgery done. I scanned the parking lot, admitting dept and the waiting area for anything suspicious. Once I was gowned and on that table, I would have been up the creek if anything happened. That thought was more disturbing than thinking what if the doctor messed up working on me.
Once it was over, I shot out of that hospital like a bat out of hell. Took the least congested route home. Didn’t relax until I got in the driveway.
So now I’m recovering at home and reviewing what I could have done if there was an incident. Sobering to think that sometimes you will be as helpless as a newborn.
kk
That’s a scary feeling. Having to deal with surgery plus being completely exposed and you can’t do anything about it.
Hope you have a speedy recovery.
Adapt and Overcome.
If you’ve a gut feeling of an imminent event, show up at your shopping mall, your church, your local hang-out with your concealed carry and bring some friends likewise armed while you’re at it. Be ready. Don’t go hiding at home, get out there and watch.
So a mass shooting takes place at the mall, but you’re glad because you stayed home… shouldn’t you have been there? A massacre takes place at your church but you weren’t there because you were laying low…. and you’re proud of that? What’s that tune you’re humming to rationalize your cowardice? “Don’t take your guns to town son, don’t take your guns to town”. Sorry, wrong town, wrong tune, times have changed. You’re not a momma’s boy, you’ve grown up.
If you see something, do something. The front lines aren’t “over there”, they’re over here.
Nice in theory, but knowing the chaos in this type of incident, you would have a very good chance of being shot by the first officers arriving on scene. Anyone with a gun not in uniform would be a target. It would be best to go home rather than play cop.
Good points both of you. No, I’m not Rambo, I just felt like pushing the envelope to see what kind of response I’d get. I have avoided malls and crowded events ever since getting nearly trampled in a rock concert, and then suffering a panic attack in a mall. But I do go to a mall if I need something, not to “hang out” or browse.
Ok… best comment EVER! Lover my Johnny Cash! Bad advice to not take your guns to town. Don’t show them off unless you need them.
I’ve hesitated to finish one of my books (the fourth book in a series) because it deals with a terrorist attack and I don’t want to give them ideas. But other people need to be aware as well. Long story short, think of how large numbers of people might be funneled away from a major event, and find another route.
My thoughts have always been if I can think of it others can too and probably already have!!!
@ Lauren
Ok here is a stupid question… your quote –“I’ve hesitated to finish one of my books (the fourth book in a series)”– by the sounds of that your writing? are you published? or can you share a link, might be interesting to have a read….
NRP
I took Ken’s advice and bought Midland GXT 2-way radios for each family member. Having an alternative means of communication that backs up the cellular networks makes sense to me. A simple message can make getting home much safer. If one were to also have a police scanner somewhere in the line up. Well it’s obviously of great value.
My sister lives across the valley and high up–about seven miles away, I think. But she’s within line of sight of one other sister. We’re going to check whether the radios will reach my brother (about 30 miles away but also within line of sight) or my sister (about the same distance in the other direction). Unlikely, but possible.
You can get an APP on your cell phone for a police scanner and its free.
Do you have that app ? Which app do you recommend ?
Thank you : )
I have used scanner radio pro since my BlackBerry days. The developer is great and is constantly making the product better.
Just watched the news ( Tuesday )
All LA schools closed because of possible threat.
Also on the local St.Louis news… A guy was attacked by 4 black guys on the metro train, while 100 stood by and did nothing to help him!
You would need a more powerful radio to reach your brother and perhaps your sister. Easy to do with a lower cost ham set up. You would need a license and a good place to start would be the ARRL Ham Radio Technician book. You will learn a lot.
It’s $15 to take the test and you also get a license that is good for 10 years .
Keep your gas tank full.
Keep your arms close and ready.
We used to have mental hospitals in this country– now all those who used to be in them are out in society, treated with drugs.
A large percentage of those you come in contact with are on some kind of medication.
Be aware, zombies come in all shapes and sizes!
Agree with the having actual $$$ in hand, in small bills only because the seller may not be able to provide change. Will lose value quickly, but in those first few crucial hours / day – very important.
Store as much water as you can. Once water stops flowing, a lot of people will grow desperate. Having that on hand is big peace of mind.
Before its required practice with your electronic devices to know how long these items can be utilzed before the batteries need to be recharged, peak vehicle maintenance is a must. Check flashlights battery strength and replace as needed. make sure your firearms have fresh ammo in the magazines!! Having an extra set of important documents in your vehicle always. Have a hard copy of important phone numbers on your possession always, not just in your phones memory!! Always have walkie talkies in the hands of as many family members as possible, because mobile towers may go out if the grid goes down!! Hand gun owners have a min. of 5/6 mags at all times/ multiple armed attackers will require it/ no time to reload mags!! Try to generate a map of gun free zones in your area in order to be alert for an attack within these zones!! Have an emergency plan that all family members KNOW in case something happens when all are apart during the day!!
Just love your blog so much thx!!!!!!!!!!
I try to avoid public transit and don’t do any window shopping. I go in with a list and quickly purchase what I need and leave. I try to shop non peak hours. Also I do a lot of online shopping. Before going into a bank or store I try to gage the staffs’ expressions to see if they look nervous. At the bank I look at all people in line and if I feel uncomfortable I leave.
I always have a current passport so that if there is a radiation attack and I need to migrate to another country I have a better chance of getting in since this document is needed for international travel. Also have all teens old enough to drive get a license even if they don’t use it much. Long escapes may need several drivers as could injuries.