Setting Up Your Mobile Command Center - Introduction

Setting Up Your Mobile Command Center

If you were given 30 minutes to evacuate due to an impending disaster, is your vehicle set up and ready to go with enough emergency equipment to last you, your family, and pets for a minimum of 72 hours - possibly longer? In this Module, we will provide you with equipment lists and strategies to help you and your family be prepared to relocate safely and efficiently in a variety of situations and weather conditions. Setting up your vehicle as your Mobile Command Center ensures that you are not only prepared but also equipped to handle unexpected emergencies that can help you and your family but also make you an asset to your community.

Another consideration, depending on the time of year and your location, is the possibility of being stranded in your vehicle. Over the past several years, we have witnessed severe storms causing accidents and blocking roads, sometimes taking emergency crews up to 24 hours to clear the way and reach stranded individuals. Tragically, some people did not survive these situations. These incidents highlight the importance of having your vehicle prepared for a variety of scenarios, which can be life-saving for you and your family.

You are who you are on game day, you can’t train anymore. You need to have the same mind set when setting up your vehicle.  It is much better to be prepared in advance than to scramble for supplies when an emergency is imminent. Having your vehicle set up, supplies staged and ready to go is much more efficient than hastily gathering things if a disaster is on the horizon. Preparation allows for a smoother and quicker response, reducing stress and increasing your chances of successfully reaching a safe location.

If you are involved in the Overlanding community, this section may seem very basic to you. Overlanders and their rigs (vehicles) are set up to not only survive but thrive with what they have prepared. These enthusiasts are well-versed in “bugging out” and often have their vehicles equipped with everything needed for extended off-grid adventures.