The story goes as follows:
2007, October: My wife and I were in a hospital in the San Diego area, our Son was born pre-mature requiring us to stay in the hospital about a week longer then normal to make sure he was OK. During this time there was a LARGE wild fire in the North East and South East area of San Diego County, extremely close to our home at the time. I decided during the first couple of days after my Son was born to run home and collect some survival equipment as well as a “Bugout” bag filled with supplies needed for the baby, my wife and myself in case the situation got worse. I loaded the supplies and my Dogs and dropped them at a nearby safe spot for us in case the fire destroyed our home. I kept the “bugout” bag in the car as it contained our Insurance paperwork, nursing supplies, clothing, blankets, first aid kit, MRE’s for my Wife and I and formula for the baby, basically everything I though we would need if the unthinkable happened.
Days go by and the fire seems to increase in size and scope, now burning people’s homes and trapping others in their cars as they try to escape. The hospital staff came to inform us that we were going to have to leave the hospital. They said they were a “Triage Location” for that part of San Diego county and we would have to be moved out immediately due to the increasing injuries associated with the fires and our Son was stable enough to be moved. I immediately went outside to use my phone and called my neighbor, he informed me that the Sherriff had come through our neighborhood with a loud speaker telling all to evacuate. So my fears were realized, we had no place to go, we could not stay at the hospital and could not go home.
I loaded my new family into our SUV and headed north to my Aunt’s home, a large portion of my family was there using the available resources, and we added to an already stressed situation. I used almost all of the supplies in my “bugout” bag over the next few days while we listened to the radio hoping not to hear our community on the list of burned out homes. We spent our extra time trying to find stores that were open and had baby formula in stock as well as water and food; it was a scary time for me as a new Father.
Eventually the fire was brought under control and our home was spared but the situation we were placed in will never be forgotten. I am now one of the most prepared people you will ever meet, bugout bag in the car ever day, extra water and food in place to weather (2) weeks + of disaster for a family of four. Radios, batteries, knives, flashlights, MRE’s all in place for the next nightmare situation, how prepared are you?
Man,Eric!! What a wild ride! It is stories like yours that make it real to the rest of us. You must be prepared! I’d say you became a great dad right there out of the gates. Hopefully your son will pick up your habits and you can both take care of Mom! Family…there is nothing more important. Great write up. Good luck!!