Saturday 12 May 2007

Emergency Planning

A couple of years ago - post 11/9 [or if you are a non-European 9/11] the Government issued a booklet as to what to do in an emergency. From what I remember it was to get or remain indoors, tune in to the local radio, stock pile food/water etc.
Well I'm still stock-piling food [ I'm sure that is helping Sainsbury's and Waitrose on their profit levels] but I am beginning to run out of space. I was wondering recently about getting the builders back in to advise whether we have space for them to dig under the foundations and build a huge cellar. I could store a lot of groceries and water in there. It would rejuvenate my jaded palate for shopping. I already have cupboards stuffed full with maxi soups, baked beans, sweetcorn and tuna by the ton. But experience has already shown that I'm not too keen on making a meal out of these ingredients. They would have to be for emergency use only. Therefore to keep my spirits up, in the event of an emergency, I need to stock a few more items of quality gourmet foods with a long shelf life. The freezers are full but in a real emergency then the electricity supply may fail - so I can't rely on frozen goodies. Also frozen foods invariably need cooking and camping stoves are not the most reliable means of cooking. Now supposing when this emergency happens there is a party of ramblers passing by who need to get indoors? Then there is no way my hoard of stock would be sufficient.
I remember being told by a friend of 'someone' who worked in Kuwait when Saddam Hussein invaded. He popped over to the British Embassy looking for shelter and support and was refused entry as "we only have enough food for ourselves". Well, I can tell you this shattered a few illusions for me. However, much you berate the USofA I just cannot imagine them saying such a thing. After all, I've seen "The Killing Fields". Half of the American population and journos visiting Vietnam were rescued from the US Embassy roof via a fleet of helicopters. However, much I am proud of being British there is no way I feel able to emulate the attitude of the British Embassy in Kuwait. I couldn't refuse refuge to a few ramblers in distress - out in the open just as an emergency happens. Therefore I need to re-think my contingency planning scheme. Any suggestions as to what I could store, that doesn't need much cooking and with a long shelf life, gratefully received. Meanwhile I'll contact the builders on Monday.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kendal Mint cake is supposed to be a life saver - especially for mountaineers.Small and requires no cooking.

Mopsa said...

Salamis hanging from the ceiling look good and can be eaten straight off the string as it were. Add in some fab olives and some aged cheese. You have a feast. But with goodies like that around they won't last until emergency strikes unless you have the willpower of a saint.

Penny Pincher said...

Thanks for the ideas. sounds super for my kitchen - not sure about the potentail cellar. Alas, I don't even have the willpower of a demon - I have no will power at all. I wonder what salt beef is like - must explore what sailors used to eat to get scurvy on long voyages. I seem to remember biscuits with weevils in ...

Anonymous said...

NUTS.

rilly super said...

I wouldn't worry about the ramblers dear, most of them seem well enough wrapped up in enough kit to protect from pretty well any disaster imaginable. Save yourself and when the four minute warning sounds concentrate on eating all that stickpiled ice cream before it melts.