VNYLCITYGOV TESTER: Emergency Readiness

Showing posts with label Emergency Readiness. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

CRUCIAL ~~ EARTHQUAKE READINESS PROCEDURES / American Red Cross

Posted: 26 Aug 14

BE SURE TO NOTE THE FREE MOBILE PHONE APP!

Are you prepared?

Dear Friend,

At 3:20am on August 24th a 6.0 earthquake struck Napa County, California damaging historic buildings, rupturing gas lines and water mains across Napa, Sonoma, and Solano counties, leading to multiple fires and buckling cracks on major roadways. Many families and individuals brace for possible aftershocks, and thousands more will seek aid in the days to come as they begin to repair the damage to their homes and communities.

Thanks to the support of our donors, the Red Cross was there immediately providing help and relief to first responders and families in need.

Earthquakes strike suddenly, without warning, and they can occur at any time of the year, day or night. Forty-five states and territories in the U.S. are at moderate to very high risk of earthquakes, and they are located in every region of the country.

Are you prepared for a major earthquake? Download our Earthquake Preparedness App and be ready and learn to Drop, Cover and Hold On.

Emergency preparedness is vital to you and your loved ones' everyday safety. Learn how you can be ready by creating a preparedness plan now.

Last year we responded to 817 local disasters and assisted 1,575 families across our regions. We don’t know when the next emergency will strike, but we know we must be ready.

The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year, from home fires, to severe storms to earthquakes. Please consider making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief today.

Sincerely,
Mark Cloutier

Mark Cloutier

Regional Chief Executive Officer,

Gateway to the Golden State Region

Tim Miller
Regional Chief Executive Officer,
California Northwest Region

CRUCIAL ~~ EARTHQUAKE READINESS PROCEDURES (#2) / Mayoral

Posted: 26 Aug 14
Update #2: 27 Aug 14 -- I've taken the liberty of sprinkling a few added thoughts, here and there, based on my own training and life-experiences -- which I hope will add even greater value to this excellent, typically public-spirited offering from our Mayor Evola, -- David Nelson

Scope: Unlimited

WHAT TO DO IN AN EARTHQUAKE!!

A Message from Mayor Sal Evola, Pittsburg, CA

All of us were rattled by Sunday's 6.1 earthquake (click here) and our hearts go out to the citizens of Napa. While Pittsburg and Bay Point, by and large, did not sustain damage, yesterday’s quake is a reminder that another big one could be devastating for all of us.

Below are some important tips to remaining safe before, during and after a major earthquake:

A. Before an Earthquake:

In other words, imagine what it would be like to actually experience these nasty events (YouTube, Google, and Wikipedia, among other things, are invaluable). Imagine all the things that might go wrong -- especially since they have done so to others -- learn from the lessons others have paid such high-cost for us to know. Then provide for all those things you wouldn't like to have happen to your or yours -- DN

- Check your home for earthquake hazards, and secure items that may be vulnerable to shaking.

- Bolt down or provide other strong support for water heaters and other gas appliances, since fire damage can result from broken gas lines and appliance connections.

- Place large or heavy objects on the lower shelves. Securely fasten shelves to walls. Brace or anchor high or top-heavy objects.

- Keep a 7-10 day supply of food and water. To maintain freshness it is important to rotate this stock periodically.

- Hold occasional home earthquake drills in your household to provide help, avoid injury and panic during an earthquake.

- Create a family emergency communications plan and make sure everyone knows what to do. Take a few minutes with your family to establish a plan for how and when to reunite after an earthquake.

- Teach responsible members of your family how to turn off electricity, gas, and water at the main switch and valves.

- Provide responsible members of your family basic first aid and C.P.R. training. Call Red Cross Safety Services for information about training classes.

- Keep a flashlight and a battery-powered transistor radio in the home, ready for use at all times. Keep fresh batteries with these items.

B. During an Earthquake:

In other words, protect yourself from things that could shake loose (the forces are awesome), fall and crush something important -- aided by other destroyers which fate might choose to throw into the mix. We are not always likely to think fast enough to meet sudden threats -- hence, having a plan in mind, developed while cool thought is still possible -- re-programming ourselves (and loved ones) to do the right thing AUTOMATICALLY -- training our REFLEXES -- is a most sensible precaution -- and is even a most interesting, fun exercise of our mental faculties and teamwork -- DN

DROP — DROP down to the floor.

COVER — Take COVER under a sturdy piece of furniture. If that is not possible, seek COVER against an interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms. Avoid danger spots near windows, hanging objects, mirrors, or tall furniture.

HOLD — If you take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, HOLD on to it and be prepared to move with it. HOLD the position until the ground stops shaking and it is safe to move.

- If you’re in a HIGH-RISE BUILDING, and you are not near a desk or table, move against an interior wall, and protect your head with your arms. Do not use the elevators.

- If you’re OUTDOORS, move to a clear area, away from trees, signs, buildings, or downed electrical wires and poles.

- If you’re on a SIDEWALK NEAR BUILDINGS, duck into a doorway to protect yourself from falling bricks, glass, plaster, and other debris.

- If you’re DRIVING, pull over to the side of the road and stop. Avoid overpasses, power lines, and other hazards. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking is over.

- If you’re in a CROWDED STORE, do not rush for exits. Move away from display shelves containing objects that could fall.

- If you’re in a WHEELCHAIR, stay in it. Move to cover, if possible, lock your wheels, and protect your head with your arms.

- If you’re in the KITCHEN, move away from the refrigerator, stove, and overhead cupboards.

- If you’re in a STADIUM or THEATER, stay in your seat and protect your head with your arms. Do not try to leave until the shaking is over.

C. After an Earthquake:

In other words, it ain't over till it's over -- and few of us can be absolutely certain exactly when the whole drama is truly over. And, things might be still being going on -- which we would certainly take care of -- had we only known, in good time -- that they are happening or about to do so. The quake was surely a surprise -- and may be a terrible gift that keeps on giving us sharply-surprising blows, for a while -- DN

Remember, aftershocks may occur, so be prepared to Drop, Cover, & Hold. After an earthquake, be prepared to:

1. Check for injuries to your family and your surrounding neighbors. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in danger of further injury.

2. Check for fires or fire hazards.

3. If indoors, check the structural aspects of the building, if any part of the structure appears to be unsafe, evacuate the building until a more detailed inspection can be made. Buildings that are damaged by the main shock could receive additional damage from aftershocks.

4. Wear shoes in all areas near debris or broken glass.

5. Do not touch downed power lines or objects touched by the downed wires.

6. Immediately clean up spilled medicines, drugs, and other potentially harmful materials. Use extreme caution when cleaning up spilt chemicals, they may have mixed with other chemicals during shaking and could cause harmful effects. Open windows to provide ventilation. If you begin to feel any effects from the material that you are handling, stop what you're doing and seek medical help.

7. Check for damaged utilities. Inspect for leaking gas lines by smell only; do not use candles, matches, or other open flames. If you smell gas, open all windows and doors so gas can escape. Shut off the main valve at your gas meter, leave the house immediately, and notify authorities of the leak. Do not re-enter the house until repairs have been made and the dwelling has been declared safe. If water pipes are broken, shut off the main valve which brings water into the house. If the house is properly wired, internal trouble with the electricity is very unlikely. If there is a short circuit, turn off the electricity at the meter box.

8. If water is off, emergency water may be obtained from melted ice cubes, from canned vegetables, from toilet tanks (if no bluing or sanitizing chemicals have been added), from swimming pools and spas, and from water heaters (strain this water through a clean handkerchief first).

9. Check to see that sewage lines are intact before permitting continued flushing of toilets.

10. Do not eat or drink anything from open containers near shattered glass. Liquids can be strained through a clean handkerchief or cloth if the danger of glass contamination exists.

11. If power is off, check your freezer and plan meals to use up foods which will spoil quickly.

12. Use outdoor charcoal or propane broilers for emergency cooking. Do not bring these items indoors. The accumulation of fumes from their use can be deadly.

13. Do not use your telephone except for genuine emergency calls.

14. If you have a chimney, check its entire length for cracks and damage, particularly in the attic and at the roof line. Unnoticed damage could lead to a fire or collapse in aftershocks. The initial check should be made from a distance. Approach chimneys with caution.

15. Check closets and storage shelf areas. Open closet and cupboard doors carefully and watch for objects falling from shelves.

16. Do not spread rumors. They often do great harm following disasters.

17. Tune-in to local radio stations for information and danger reports.

18. Do not go sightseeing. Do not use your vehicle unless there is a genuine emergency. Keep the streets clear for emergency vehicles.

19. Be prepared for additional aftershocks. Although most of these are smaller than the main shock, some may be strong enough to cause additional damage.

20. Respond to requests for help from police, fire fighting, civil defense, and relief organizations, but do not go into damaged areas unless your help has been requested. Cooperate fully with public-safety officials. In some areas, you may be arrested for getting in the way of disaster operations.

21. Information concerning the welfare of separated family members will be handled by the American Red Cross. Do not call or go to the police or fire department for this information. If you have an emergency communications plan in place, use it instead.

The above information is provided by the Central United States Earthquake Consortium. Please pass this on to your family, friends and neighbors. Thank you and please be safe.

Sal Evola

Committee to Elect Sal Evola for Pittsburg City Council 2014
P.O. Box 647
Pittsburg, CA 94565
ID No. 1289770

Saturday, May 10, 2014

CIVIC MENTOR / Family / Emergency Readiness / FEMA.GOV (Updated 5/10/14)

Posted: 10 May 14

Purpose

To permanently accumulate immensely practical and interesting web-links delivered regularly by email subscription, from FEMA.gov. Links listed in reverse date-order, to be accumulated, workload permitting. Momentum will accelerate, once the parent corporation is formed.

FEMA.gov Facebook Link
FEMA.gov Twitter Link
FEMA.gov Wikipedia Link

FEMA.gov Communities

David Nelson

Welcome to the Pacific Region Group which serves Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, and Nevada. This page provides information, tools and resources regarding preparedness activities in this Region.

Pick your U.S. Region -- This page provides access to each national region, leading to information, tools and resources regarding preparedness activities for the Region you select.

The National Preparedness Community

Help A Fellow Member Prepare and Wildfire Awareness Month

Discover How One CERT is Helping Their Entire City Prepare

Register for America's "Preparathon" -- Thank you for your interest in community.fema.gov, the National Preparedness Community, and America's PrepareAthon! By joining, you can connect, collaborate, and empower yourself and others to fulfill our shared responsibility to prepare.

All Original Content © 2014, The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

Friday, September 20, 2013

EMERGENCY PLAN: PRIVATE: Drinking Water

EMERGENCY WATER GUIDELINES

Excerpted, for Your Convenience from

the FEMA Website

A. How Much Water do I Need?

1. You should have at least a three-day supply of water [even wiser -- 7 days or more] and you should store at least one gallon of water per person per day. A normally active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking -- but, you're going to be very uncomfortable with just that -- STORE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BEYOND THIS PIDDLING AMOUNT!

2. Additionally, in determining adequate quantities, take the following into account:

Individual needs vary, depending on age, physical condition, activity, diet, and climate.
Children, nursing mothers, and ill people need more water.
Very hot temperatures can double the amount of water needed.
A medical emergency might require additional water.

B. How Should I Store Water?

1. To prepare safest and most reliable emergency supply of water, it is recommended you purchase commercially bottled water.

2. Keep bottled water in its original container and do not open it until you need to use it.

3. Observe the expiration or “use by” date.

C. If You are Preparing YOUR OWN Containers of Water

1. It is recommended you purchase food-grade water storage containers from surplus or camping supplies stores to use for water storage.

Before filling with water, thoroughly clean the containers with dishwashing soap and water, and rinse completely so there is no residual soap.

Follow directions below on filling the container with water.

2. If you choose to use your own storage containers, choose two-liter plastic soft drink bottles – not plastic jugs or cardboard containers that have had milk or fruit juice in them.

Milk protein and fruit sugars cannot be adequately removed from these containers and provide an environment for bacterial growth when water is stored in them.

Cardboard containers also leak easily and are not designed for long-term storage of liquids. Also, do not use glass containers, because they can break and are heavy.

3. If storing water in plastic soda bottles, follow these steps:

Thoroughly clean the bottles with dishwashing soap and water, and rinse completely so there is no residual soap.
Sanitize the bottles by adding a solution of 1 teaspoon of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to a quart of water.
Swish the sanitizing solution in the bottle so that it touches all surfaces.
After sanitizing the bottle, thoroughly rinse out the sanitizing solution with clean water.

D. Filling Water Containers

Fill the bottle to the top with regular tap water.

1. If the tap water has been commercially treated from a water utility with chlorine, you do not need to add anything else to the water to keep it clean.

2. If the water you are using comes from a well or water source that is not treated with chlorine:

add two drops of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to the water.
Tightly close the container using the original cap.
Be careful not to contaminate the cap by touching the inside of it with your finger.
Place a date on the outside of the container so that you know when you filled it.
Store in a cool, dark place.
Replace the water every six months if not using commercially bottled water.

Tag: "Emergency Readiness"

Saturday, April 13, 2013

FLASH!!! COUNTY-WIDE ALERT -- CERT -- Life or Death!!!

Posted: 13 Apr 13

TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE!
Ignore this at your (and our) peril!

Organization of This Article

1. Purposes
2. To Whom is This Article Talking?
3. Background
4. Apparently Uncommon "Common Sense"
5. Training Objectives and Provisions
6. Imminent County-wide Training Schedules

1. PURPOSES

1.1 To STRONGLY urge every single fellow human (ages 16 and above), throughout this County, to take seriously the need to become trained disaster volunteers, without delay! There are not nearly enough of us involved, yet -- not by a long shot! If you are physically limited (by age, health, disability, preference, etc.) there is plenty of essential light work that needs to be done, too -- to free up others to do the other tasks!

As demand grows, MORE CLASSES can be added...

1.2. To STRONGLY urge you to do everything you can to help pass the word to every fellow resident you encounter -- AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY -- and to create such opportunities, as often as you can.

1.3 To provide many of the details you will need, concerning the national and local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) programs and the very rare training opportunities being presented in the very near future.

In this article, you will find much of what you need to know and links to pertinent details. It is as complete as I can make it, under my particular circumstances.
You are making a grave error if you do not put this at the VERY TOP of your priority lists. I know you're busy, but unless you're dealing with life or death matters, little is more important -- more serious -- more urgent!!!!

2. TO WHOM IS THIS ARTICLE TALKING?

The Entire Contra Costa County!
And to help give a "heads-up" to the rest of our magnificent nation!

2.1 Every single individual, family, neighborhood, business, and government level, not already trained and active parts of the CERT program -- virtually the entire society -- all of us -- simply MUST pitch-in here, if no where else!

2.2 We ALL need to come on board -- it is absolutely inexcusable for a literate, rational society not to do all it reasonably can to prepare for what is so clearly waiting to befall us -- with utter, undeniable certainty. This is everyone's serious business.

And, it's all so simple to take the basic steps (and a tiny bit of time and energy) to learn what to do and not do

3. BACKGROUND

3.1 Within a very few days, in East County, a very rare (around twice per year, so far) opportunity is being presented -- to transfer the practical knowledge and skills -- and to maximize team-building -- to make MANY MORE of the needful preparations for the disasters THAT ARE COMING -- sure as rain!

Access to training schedules (and more) for the rest of the County are also included, below.

3.2 Over the life of this City-Journal, numerous articles have been published to give you more exact insight into what this is all about. Here are links to some of them, which should answer your more obvious questions. Please note that these time-frames are in the PAST. Today's very article concerns the IMMEDIATE FUTURE:

3.3 And if, by chance, you're interested in where this City-Journal is headed to help insure that we never fail to attend to this and other important business, EVER AGAIN, this article might be helpful:

A STRATEGIC APPROACH: Emergency & Disaster Readiness Element

4. APPARENTLY UNCOMMON "COMMON SENSE"

You MUST realize:

4.1 That every single NEIGHBORHOOD simply MUST have their own trained CERT Teams!!! Who on earth do you think is going to save you if there is an area-wide disaster? Emergency forces are going to be extremely busy. It could take days (even weeks, if ever) before they MIGHT be able to assist you. You are going to be on your own -- with great probability -- depending on the nature of the disaster.

4.2 That with proper training, we can and will be FORCE MULTIPLIERS for professional first-responders -- so that they can do even more -- and FASTER and BETTER.

4.3 That once your neighborhood CERT teams have done their duty toward you, within your immediate surroundings, your team(s) will be very much needed (and hopefully free) to deploy to save MANY others, elsewhere -- as part of the crucial master plan. And, those other teams might be the very ones to save you and yours, in turn.

4.4 That without the very sensible precaution of doing your civic duty for your loved ones and others who will be in need -- you will know the sad guilt and shame (if you survive) of having put off what should never have been put off.

4.5 That WHEN the hammer falls, and you're unprepared, it's going to be too late to do all the things you will wish you had done -- and SHOULD have done. AND YOU WILL MAKE AVOIDABLE, DANGEROUS MISTAKES. Where do you think you live? Do you seriously think we're somehow immune to catastrophe? Time to think again, I'd say.

4.6 That the CERT program is a national, highly-developed effort -- not to steal your leisure time -- but to insure that you will have more of it (and much more), after things have been normalized, following a catastrophe. FIRST THINGS FIRST. The whole country is waking up -- how can you sleep while all of this is happening around you -- in logical anticipation of the many real threats to do you (and us) great harm?

5. TRAINING OBJECTIVES & PROVISIONS

5.1 Upon Completion of a MERE 15 or so hours of training, you will, among other things, under the hands of skilled professionals and volunteers:

Understand our area's basic disaster response plans and organizations
Understand much of the scope, nature and behavior of disasters -- based on hard experience and careful thought
Understand exactly what you need to do and how to do it and when -- AND WHAT NOT TO DO
Understand what equipment you should have at your fingertips
Understand how and when to safely: fight fires (small ones, before they become uncontrollable), shift heavy objects that are crushing people, enter (and exit) hazardous/suspicious buildings, do the things that first responders need you to do (before, during, and after), communicate with emergency organizations (efficiently) -- and such.
Be immensely proud and relieved that you are far more ready than you were before -- to help save the precious things that constitute modern existence.
FOR YOU WILL PROUDLY BE A CERTIFIED DISASTER VOLUNTEER!!!
AND DON'T WORRY IF YOU CAN'T DO THE STRENUOUS STUFF -- THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF LIGHT WORK TO DO, TOO.

5.2 You will be provided with:

ID cards (after taking the standard public oath) to identify you to first responders and enable you to enter a disaster scene -- AND TAKE PRESSURE OFF OUR PROFESSIONAL SAVIORS!
Basic equipment that marks you as a trained volunteer (special vests, helmets, back pack, and so on)
A comprehensive, well-written operations manual (developed by FEMA)
... and more.

6. IMMINENT COUNTY-WIDE TRAINING SCHEDULES

6.1 As I said before, in a few days, the rare CERT training will commence in East County and in the near future, elsewhere. The classes should be packed to over-flowing -- should be standing room, only. Sadly, unless YOU roll up your sleeves (and do what is right) and make the big step, precious seats will be wasted (yet, again).

6.2 Besides, these classes are fascinating, well-designed, thoughtfully-delivered, great fun, and immensely rewarding. You will be impressed, pleased and much-improved. And you will get to meet and combine with others who are all so highly dedicated to the public good -- a true privilege -- and we will be just that much more secure.

AND, OF COURSE, THE CLASSES ARE FREE OF CHARGE!

6.3 FOR EAST COUNTY: At this link, you will see, among other useful things, that classes will start, as follows -- (Five 3-hour sessions over 5 weeks)

in Pittsburg (Monday, 4/22/13 -- 6:30 to 9:30 -- more or less) and
in Brentwood (Thursday, 4/25 -- same times)

6.4 FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTY: Here is the County website (different from, but inclusive of the above), which contains all the class schedules (and more).

Regardless of where you live, you may attend classes at one location (or a mix of them),

as your unique circumstances require.

=========

RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED TO DO THEIR CIVIC DUTY!

Unnecessary delay is unconscionable.

Ignore this at your (and our) peril!

Dead-seriously yours,

David Nelson

All Original Content © 2013 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby suspend those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

PCJ STRATEGIC APPROACH: Emergency & Disaster Readiness Element

Posted: 3 Apr 13

THIS CITY-JOURNAL's NUMBER ONE JOB!

(A glimpse at the Master Strategy)

From: USA.gov
Subj: Emergency Tech-Readiness

According to The American Red Cross, the Internet - including online news sites and social media platforms - is the third most popular way for Americans to gather emergency information and let their loved ones know they are safe. Make sure you are tech ready during an emergency with these tips from FEMA.

You can also get text messages from FEMA sent to your phone. To sign up, text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA). You can unsubscribe at any time by texting STOP to 43362 (4FEMA). Text messaging and data rates apply to this service.

Learn more about using technology to prepare for disasters and emergencies.

End of message

MISSION AREA #1 -- PRESERVATION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY

FROM: THE HEART -- Where else?

Element 1: OPERATING IN THE EMERGENCY AND DISASTER READINESS REALM

BACKGROUND

1. Over the months of its existence, this City-Journal (the PCJ) has published a lot (but not nearly enough, YET) of invaluable information to help us prepare for those ABSOLUTELY INEVITABLE moments when life takes those sudden, serious, unfavorable turns -- which it surely WILL, as it always has done -- resulting from acts and omissions by humans and by nature -- in an imperfect world.

2. You can find much of this vital information scattered throughout, by using this blog's search box and/or the disappearing black tool bar, which hovers at the right scroll bar, by selecting the key words: "Emergency" and "Disaster." I hope you will take a look, with pen and paper nearby -- and a determined commitment to take the material seriously.

FAST APPROACHING
3. In future months, as Version 2.0 of the PCJ and it's spin-off systems develop, the information will no longer be scattered. The whole idea of the PCJ is to gather sufficient practical and interesting information (of all types), all in one convenient, enduring place -- so that you can get to it easily and reliably, exactly when wanted -- AND HELP US MONITOR AND DEAL WITH CHANGES (favorable and unfavorable) IN THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT. The Internet blessing offers enormous hope that we humans will finally adjust, to greatest advantage, our ages-long inter-personal fragmentation -- which so impedes our functioning as a singular, fully optimized living species.

NEXT STEP

4. ONE of the PRODUCTS which I humbly think will ultimately shake-out from all of this will be nothing less than a comprehensive, integrated system of "how-to-and-when" PROCEDURAL MANUALS and web objects for citizens (and/or residents), in their particular territories, to use to better operate, cooperate, and coordinate together, and maintain the social machinery and fabric which concerns them -- in mutually favorable ways. There will be suitable system-linkages provided for smoothly integrating these things into people's normal (and enhanced) life-routines -- where they are most likely to be actualized -- as ever pleases them.

A UNIVERSAL, SUPPORTING TRUTH?
5. Surely, all reasonable people want such as this -- it seems impossible that they wouldn't -- if they understand it -- since you can't do much better for a society (and oneself) than to get all its members pulling together in reasonable, agreeable, and complementary directions. Who can seriously deny this? But such a course is hard to see (if it even exists on a wide scale, yet -- which seems not to be the typical case), much less pursue, without it being brought together and presented as a workable, "personalizable" system -- thrown wide open to whatever fine-tuning is needed, by anyone, to make the thing work in their unique situations. Even if we throw the system out, we can use the lessons learned to create something better, for all eyes will be looking at the same opening door and all minds concentrated on the same task.

PUSHING THIS BOULDER UPHILL

6. This is just a beginning. We're still in start-up -- and a life-long dream is finally coming to pass. I've encountered surprising, disruptive, disappointing obstacles, but so far, none that I can't overcome (I believe). It saddens me that the often unnecessary delays mean that I can't move as quickly as I feel I need to. But, fate has its own agenda, which often proves wiser than my own -- and that will have to do. "That's life in the big city," as they say. And, I suspect that, while troubling and unpleasant, these are, somehow tempering me for the tasks that remain. Both my doctors and my much beloved wife are forcing me to slow down for a month or so, but I don't think you'll notice -- though every delay is a serious cost and risk.

At my stage of life, one often becomes extremely conscious of their own mortality -- which induces an added sense of urgency to get things done in time -- especially when failure may be costly to many. Time is often the best doctor, but the patient always dies in the end.

And for me, in my twilight years, all of this is a "now or never" proposition -- and the project is of a nature which MUST be performed and tested in public -- even though it's quite uncomfortable to expose one's soul and most cherished beliefs to the rough handling and testing this journey promises -- for it renders the serenity, which is so essential to concentration, into a scarce and elusive thing. But, everyone bears a "cross." This happens to be mine -- so who's complaining?

ON A WIDER LEVEL

WE THE PEOPLE

7. We are all busy doing our best to achieve whatever life has "assigned" and equipped us to do. I know this to be true, in the cases where reason prevails -- as it usually does, when freedom is present -- and where good will, reliable information, and adequate resources are available -- as they often are. The beauty of the whole thing (in my opinion) is that, by working -- individually and together -- AND METHODICALLY -- to make the best of ourselves and our circumstances, we automatically help the whole grand scheme of things. I find a lot of truth in Adam Smith's beautiful "invisible hand" concept.

THE POWER IN OUR GRASP -- UNITY OF SPIRIT
8. We need for each and every individual, family, neighborhood, business (profit-seeking and non), government level, society, civilization and humankind, as a whole, to do their parts. None of us can go it alone for very long -- nor should we even waste ourselves in the attempt. WE ARE ALL INDISPENSABLE PARTS OF ONE GREAT INTERRELATED THING -- fundamental system-units in a powerful system-of-systems -- pursuing the greatest good.

GOOD SEEDS, FERTILE SOIL
9. In my experience, it seems that the greatest rewards in this life stem from doing good service for others -- and surely, the greatest happiness stems from seeing to the happiness in others. It further seems reasonable to posit that the greatest level of security is only attainable when ALL are secure. And, I think that's absolutely grand.

Therefore, it also seems reasonable to suggest to all (self included), to:

Do your best, as individuals and families, to survive and prosper -- so that (among many other things) when disaster strikes, you can do much on your own, without drawing down on scarce common resources -- and so you will be strong, knowledgeable, and equipped well enough to pitch-in, effectively, on behalf of those who will surely need you.
Do your best, as neighbors, to do all the wonderful, needful things that would be impossible or difficult to do as individuals, families, and small groups. Besides, there is a lot of joy to be found there -- for neighbors are (or can be) a very special class of friend. EVERY SINGLE NEIGHBORHOOD (everywhere!) needs to be organized, around good sense, and to operate methodically, at the grass roots (where every single one of us resides), for us to truly flourish as well as such a great and literate people surely can -- when proper (and, yes, loving) arrangements have been made, both in advance and on the run -- but always, together.
Do your best, in cheerful partnership, with the overworked, under-resourced government levels that strive so hard -- and succeed so well, but have so much left to do.
Be the best employer or employee possible -- productive humans, all -- doing honorable work-- so that the world's goodness inventory only increases, to squeeze out the evils that still abound -- as humankind, in its many social forms, continues the centuries-long (even millennial) process (and struggle) of healthfully maturing toward fulfillment of the greatest of this great species' promises.
Count our blessings for existing at such a glorious moment in this remarkable human adventure -- and the lucky privilege of being integral to the great, human chain-reaction. For we all matter, big-time -- and that is undeniable. The waste of any one of us is a setback for all.

PRACTICALITIES -- TURNING THEORY INTO ACTION
But, it would never do to merely suggest all of this without offering carefully thought-out, practical, adaptable, and easily do-able methods and systems for actually doing so -- to be constantly refined in light of ever-growing collective knowledge and wisdom -- and those methods and systems are coming -- using the PCJ (and spin-off systems) as the development and delivery vehicles -- as the system-building tools!!!

The Entire-Lifetime Management Systems (ELMS) Under Construction:

The Mentor Enterprises / ELMS

Unless fate is playing terrible tricks on me, I believe that the TOTAL circumstances of my 6.4 decades on this earth have positioned me to see a vision of what truly can be and have equipped me to make a serious attempt at bringing it to pass -- or, at least, to get this particular chain-reaction started. Not alone, but as a catalyst, among many catalysts.

I believe that, with this PCJ (and quite a few other things coming into play, faster and faster) as a beginning, I/WE can (and, therefore MUST) do much to help individuals, families, and neighborhoods to mobilize and sustain an effective, happy, and fruitful partnership with EACH OTHER and with ALL the other social systems that are doing so much, already -- for the best of possible outcomes.

I believe that there has long existed a "structural gap" between us, at the grass roots, and the rest of the social systems that have built-up through much blood, sweat, and tears, into daunting, yet brilliant, complexity.

It's time to close that gap, and I believe I see a way FOR US to do it. The Internet was the missing ingredient. It has changed the entire ball game. We truly do stand on the shoulders of all who came before -- greatly aided by those, of good will, who are moving us all forward, even now -- as we and they write our own chapter of human history.

I will explain more, as I tame the enormous complexities involved, to try to give you a cogent, thorough, defensible, and convincing (I hope) statement (and demonstration) which will reveal to your eyes and hearts what is so clear to my own. Stand by.

Respectfully yours,

David Nelson

Unattainable perfection is not the main thing. Earnest pursuit of it is. For this is what makes the most sense toward the truest, surest betterment of a flawed, yet priceless existence. I seek to be superior to NO fellow human -- only to what I was, yesterday -- and to help leave this fabulous world and life adventure even better than we found them.