Lately I have run into two cities and one county that is crying “we need more tax money for first responders!” Yet they violently (yup I said violently) oppose CERTs and threaten to have them arrested if they show up on site. As for the show up on site issue, I have said it before, CERTs and other volunteers should not self deploy. With that said, such an angry attitude against free help shows me the requestors (Mayors, Councilmen, Administrators et al) only want power, not to help the citizens of their communities. Continue reading County and City governments that do not use CERTs should be ashamed →

Recently a friend of mine asked my why I volunteer, specifically she was asking about the time I spent volunteering in Citizens Corps and CERT. Here is what I told her.

Why I volunteer? And Why with CERT? I could probably write a Novella about it.

The basic reason is “Civic Duty”, helping others because you are part of the community. Continue reading Why I volunteer with Citizens Corps and CERT →

In Part 1 I gave you one step to improve your life, reading.

In Part 2 we discussed Taking a Class, Researching things and Practicing what you have learned.

Today, let’s continue our growth.

5. Apply yourself. If you want the money to buy a new gizmo, or if you are tired of being broke, apply the previous recommendations. Make your own coffee and skip the Starbucks, bring a MRE and skip eating lunch out. Quit smoking.

Heck, get out the telescope and look at the stars. Admire them. That is part of applying yourself.

If your growth is personal security, stay alert throughout the day, look for ways to be more secure, apply the principles you learned from Reading, Taking a Class, Researching and Practicing. Continue reading Improving yourself and life Part 3 →

Charlie “Tremendous” Jones once said that “You are the same today as you’ll be in five years except for two things: the books you read and the people you meet.”

In Part 1 of this topic I discussed the need to read.  Let’s take a few moments to discuss meeting people through taking a class and practicing what you learn, both involve meeting people. We will through in a little research too. Continue reading Improving yourself and life, Part 2 →

We all need to improve and grow. Whether it be for our careers, personal hobbies, family life or spiritual wellbeing.

Where do you need to grow? Do you need new skills for your job? New skills for the job you want? Reassurance in knowing how to protect your family (through technology, being prepared for a disaster, physically)? Beyond the firearm? Learning why leaders do what they do? Learning to be a leader, at home, in your Patriot Fire Team, with Cub Scouts or Girl scouts? To grow a garden? These are just a few reasons to improve, you each should have your own. Continue reading We all need to improve and grow to live Part 1 – Reading →