It’s fair to say that our current situation, regarding safety, is equivalent to the way you felt that monsoon day when you were hiking your favorite trail alone. The wind picked up slightly and the breeze felt comforting but drew your thoughts toward the possibility of a storm. Then in the distance you could see the reddish colored dust clouds rolling in, at what seemed to be on the horizon. Suddenly, the force of the wind concerns you as you lean forward to keep your balance.
The rain begins and suddenly you become concerned at how far you are from your vehicle and whether your dressed appropriately to deal with a storm. The storm is now upon you and it’s just you.
The rain and wind are pelting you as you struggle to get to safety. Your vehicle is not visible as the rain travels parallel to the ground. Wow! That happened so quickly you thought, how was I not prepared?
What if the above scenario occurred with an elderly parent or your children, would your concern increase?
Everyone of us should be prepared for a scenario like this. A storm is upon us, and we are without protection. The protection we once took for granted is rapidly fading away. The public servants tasked with keeping all persons safe are leaving their posts, and for understandable reasons. We are alone.
If you research the staffing numbers of law enforcement officers assigned to patrol specific areas, you will find that slotted positions are not being filled. Phoenix alone is short approximately 500 officers. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is in the same predicament.
Other major cities in the U.S. are reporting similar shortages, some much worse. These shortages occur for many reasons but in the last few years they have become dangerously concerning. What about fire or medical personnel? Actions such as defunding departments, decent decrees and lack of legal support are all contributing to the decrease of protection citizens have in their communities. If you dial 911 because your feeling chest pains, will the response be timely.
So many decisions are being made and policies are being enacted that make protecting you almost a thing of the past. In the last year or more I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard someone say, “You are you own first responder.”
I’ve always felt that I was, and I always will be, but are you ready to be? If not, then who are you looking toward to take this role?
I try not to lead readers into thinking that my thoughts of the future are total doom and gloom, but I think I am past that now. Maybe our state, county or even community are not yet resembling L.A., Chicago or N.Y.C. but are we far behind?
I’ve even seen statistics regarding numerous small towns, where less than two years ago were relatively safe and now, they are riddled with crime. The percentage of car jacking’s, robberies, assaults, and homicides have greatly increased.
I am surprised at what our government leaders are doing to our country, but I’m even more surprised at the lack of protest from all of us who are affected by such changes. Something as to change or we just have to except the responsibility of providing our own safety. We have come to a point in history where we have to except the fact that things are not as they once were.
We must educate ourselves in personal protection, emergency medical and in every other basic survival need. Do you carry a IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) with you? Do you know how to use the typical items that are in one? Having defensive tools, emergency medical equipment and other necessary items on your person or within close proximity can make a world of difference. A life-or-death difference.
Please, do your own research and awaken to the dire statistics that our first responders (and ourselves) are facing. It’s shocking.
Get informed, get equipped and get the knowledge and training needed to survive. Plan for the worse and pray for the best.
For any questions regarding my article, please email me at
[email protected]
Oz Johnson/Lead Instructor, NRA Certified
Karin Johnson/Operations Manager
JohnsonGroupTAC.com
602-410-7355
