Tag Archives: meals

Without a doubt, you want to add this to your prep kit

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Don’t bother looking, it’s still 2020 National Preparedness Month. As we start this work week, I realize many of you already have kits ready to go that include food for at least 72 hours.

GREAT!!!!! So proud of you.

Previous years, we’ve stressed the importance of having shelf-stable food per person for at least 3-days. And these MREs or Meals-Ready-To-Eat is a great example.

However, let’s be honest, MREs are NOT that delicious.

Well, maybe this one might be my new favorite.

(Special shout out to my Brothers from FEMA USAR Ohio Task Force-1 (OH-TF-1) on my new first out MRE)

But we also need to think about how you are going to augment that. An easy way to help support the lackluster food options in any disaster? Hot sauce.

And only one hot sauce supports weird 24-hour dietary needs with questionable shelf-stable requirements…Sriracha!

Sriracha has been supporting the palate needs of collegiate students for decades.

Here’s a quick video history on the Sriracha brand.

So this stuff is kinda magic on disasters and deployments. Basically anytime/anywhere.

How do I do it? If I am off to a stable deployment with more structure, I just take a simple bottle and throw it in my large duffel bag. Off we go!

However, if we are going into a contentious location where things may not be…the best, I will likely pack these guys.

Awwww yeah – single serving packets that help any meal anytime of the day. They can be carried on my person and discretely added to any meal. Additionally, the single serving can be helpful since carrying an entire bottle around might not be so….cool.

I see srircha as a necessity with the same importance of a can opener.

During our 2005 deployment to Hurricane Katrina/Rita, I remember food being quite terrible as our Task Force worked Louisiana’s Lower 9th Ward – St. Bernard Parish. Food was quite terrible and good hot sauce to mask bad tasting food was hard to find esp since everything was demolished there.

So get your self some hot sauce to augment your preparedness kits with your 3-days worth of shelf stable foods.

Keep it spicy folks!

Reporting live with my bag of deployment Srircha

@rusnivek

Sustinence for PIOs on an ever changing workday #PIOProblems

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No time for lunch today so this will have to do.


As a Public Information Officer (PIO), you have weird schedules and you need to plan accordingly for foods/meals.

Disasters are not luxurious. You likely will not get to eat regular breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

I see the USAToday walking in so I gotta get to work.


Bring it.

@rusnivek

#PlanAhead for better food options in your emergency preparedness kit #NatlPrep

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Accounting and preparing your food for three days per person seems easy, but you’ll have to do better nutrition planning than just cans of vienna sausage and cup-o-noodles.

Make sure you PlanAhead for your favorite #MRE in your emergency preparedness kit otherwise you will have an unsavory disaster. #NatlPrep

MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) is a great resource for your kit. Plan accordingly as you should find the right flavor that meets your needs. There are various flavors now including (vegan, gluten free, vegetarian, etc…)

IMHO, hot sauce/sriracha is still critically important.

Choose wisely and improve your chances during a disaster.

For more tips, check out http://www.ready.gov

#PlanAhead for your emergency food supply!

@rusnivek

 

3 days of food per person for your emergency preparedness kit #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

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The start of the third week in 2014 National Preparedness Month.

“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”

Starting this week out with the good stuff!

This week’s theme is consistent with FEMA’s National Preparedness Campaign: Build an Emergency Kit

#14: Shelf stable foods (like MREs) for 3 days/person MUST be in your preparedness kit #NatlPrep #Prepared2014

MRE_contents

MREs or Meals Ready to Eat are really the “gold standard” in preparedness efforts. Now, I know what you’re thinking….gold standard = delicious. However, that is furthest from the truth. They are not as delicious as you think.

It would be worth noting that each of these MREs pack a whopping 2,200 calories. The idea behind the high calorie count is that a person who is working at maximum capacity (at war) does not have time to casually sit and enjoy three different meals a day. In just one meal, the MRE has relatively enough calories to push you through the day with only one “sitting”.

My “favorites” include

  • Chicken and rice
  • Pork with rice in BBQ sauce
  • Spaghetti with Meat & sauce

My MRE I really try to avoid?

  • Chicken Ala King
  • Beef Stew
  • Tuna with noodles

If you have never opened or used an MRE before, it would behoove you to do so before a disaster. For starters, there is a heating pack to warm your main entrée up (aka Flameless ration heater). This does require water for the thermal reaction to take place.

Flameless_ration_heater

Also seasonings like tabasco sauce, Xylitol chewing gum, and a moist towelette are considered to be the most sought after pieces of each MRE. Use/trade them sparingly.

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If you decide to go an alternate route and purchase a heater meal type or a bunch of Vienna sausage, make sure you try these products out before you have to use them during an emergency. Know your emergency supplies and rotate them out regularly.

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Gaaahhhhh! So many things to remember, but if you start out simple and check your food for three days per person…you’ll have your kit ready and be better prepared for an emergency.

@rusnivek

SitRep for West Virginia Chemical Spill (EM-3366) – 01-14-14- at 1030

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SitRep for West Virginia Chemical Spill (EM-3366) – 01-14-14- at 1030.

The chemical spill (up to 7,500 gallons) into the Elk River in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia continues to dissipate. “Do not use water” order remains in effect for approximately 65,000. Chemical identified as 4-methycyclohexane methanol (MCHM).

  • West Virginia state Emergency Operations Center still in full activation.
  • 01-13-14 afternoon – bans lifted for 26,000 customers.
  • 01-14-14 morning – bans lifted for additional 9,000 customers.
  • All local area hospitals are operating within existing patient care capacity: 234 patients treated at this time with 14 admits. No confirmed fatalities.
  • Elk River flows into Ohio River tributary. Cincinnati Water Works monitoring.
  • Ongoing Logistics Section coordinating delivery of water to state agency with 96% delivery totals. FEMA FCO monitoring.

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http://www.amwater.com/about-us/news.html

FEMA continues to support the state and local partners in assisting in the mitigation efforts to these nine communities.

@rusnivek

SitRep for West Virginia Chemical Spill (EM-3366) – 01-13-14 at 0900

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SitRep for West Virginia Chemical Spill (EM-3366) – 01-13-14- at 0900.

The chemical spill into the Elk River in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia continues to dissipate.

CDC has established threshold levels. At this time, indicators are within acceptable levels at water plant. Now seeking consistent safe reading levels at various points within the 1,700 mile pipeline system. Chemical identified as 4-methycyclohexane methanol.

  • West Virginia state Emergency Operations Center still in full activation.
  • All West Virginia State ESFs released but remain on standby.
  • All local area hospitals are operating within existing patient care capacity.
  • No confirmed fatalities and 169 patients treated at this time.
  • Logistics Section filled and delivered 100% of meals requested by West Virginia.
  • Ongoing Logistics Section coordinating delivery of water to state agency with 94% delivery totals. Daily assessments of needs still ongoing.

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Counties affected: Boone County, Cabell County, Clay County, Jackson County, Kanawha County, Lincoln County, Logan County, Putnam County, and Roane County.

People in the affected areas in West Virginia = DO NOT DRINK OR USE THE WATER.  *Only use for toilet flushing

FEMA continues to support the state and local partners in assisting in the mitigation efforts to these nine communities.

@rusnivek

SitRep for West Virginia Chemical Spill (EM-3366) – 01-12-14- at 1030

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SitRep for West Virginia Chemical Spill (EM-3366) – 01-12-14- at 1030.

The chemical spill into the Elk River in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia continues to dissipate.

CDC has established threshold levels. At this time, indicators are still higher than acceptable levels. Still seeking safe reading levels at various points within the 1,700 mile pipeline system. Chemical identified as 4-methycyclohexane methanol.

  • West Virginia state Emergency Operations Center still in full activation.
  • All local area hospitals are water supplied by mobile tankers and hospitals are operating within existing patient care capacity.
  • No confirmed fatalities or injuries to report at this time.
  • Ongoing Logistics Section coordinating delivery of water to state agency through at least next 72 hours.

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Counties affected: Boone County, Cabell County, Clay County, Jackson County, Kanawha County, Lincoln County, Logan County, Putnam County, and Roane County.

People in the affected areas in West Virginia = DO NOT DRINK OR USE THE WATER.  *Only use for toilet flushing

FEMA continues to support the state and local partners in assisting in the mitigation efforts to these nine communities.

@rusnivek