Preppers and government are like oil and vinegar. The two of them are never going to mix. This is because they are fundamentally different at their core. We preppers set a course for self-reliance and independence. Government on the other hand seems to lean into creating dependence which grows government size and power.
On one side you have the preppers using their multitools to stab holes in the balloon of bureaucracy while on the other side you have a growing government task force blowing with all their might to keep the balloon inflated and growing.
All that said, there are some prepping diamonds hidden throughout the sewage lines of government. If you are willing to do a get a little poo on your shoes, then you can take advantage of the government for a variety of preps.
Trainings
The CDC, DHS and FEMA all have a variety of training courses on their website. It took a little research to really understand all that is offered by these organizations. What I have found is that if you have a genuine desire to learn about emergency preparedness the training is thorough and FREE!
Homeland Security
DHS offers everything from boating and marine safety to infrastructure protection training. You can even learn about LEO practices. Each of these has multiple modules and sections. The content is dry but deep with information. (dhs.gov)
FEMA
FEMA is the powerhouse of all training programs. It has its own training homepage that focuses on a variety of topics. The FEMA website has a literal Emergency Management Institute.
FEMA offers everything from onsite, hands-on training to more educational opportunities for boots on the ground community members, to higher education and even executive level crisis leadership.
There are you can find 12 independent study courses that are completely free to everyone.
Some courses require you to travel to a specific location and those are most of the costs you incur. The majority of training with FEMA is completely free. (training.fema.gov)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The CDC’s training apparatus is built around 4 core offerings.
- CDC Train
- CDC Learning Connection
- TRAIN Learning Network
- Public Health Stem Activities
All things public health is covered in these various trainings. CDC Learning Connection also offers healthcare training which can be very helpful if you are building on your first aid training. (cdc.gov)
Pandemic training seems to be spread throughout the CDC. Post COVID, there are lots of resources that can help you prepare for potentialities like H5N1. (phlearningnavigator.org)
Tax Holidays
This is often one of those things that sneaks up on you, but I would recommend stowing away some money for larger purchases on the tax-free holidays.
For those of you interested in backup power you might consider this tax holiday the weekend to buy a new generator.
Here are some examples of items that are tax free:
- A portable generator with a sales price of $3,000 or less. If that is not an expense you can afford right now, you can learn here how to build your own power plant for cheap and outlive any long-term blackout.
- A tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting with a sales price of $100 or less
- Ground anchor system or tie-down kit with a sales price of $100 or less
- A smoke detector or smoke alarm with a sales price of $70 or less
- A fire extinguisher with a sales price of $70 or less
- A carbon monoxide detector with a sales price of $70 or less
- A nonelectric food storage cooler with a sales price of $60 or less
- A portable power bank with a sales price of $60 or less
- A gas or diesel fuel tank with a sales price of $50 or less
- A portable self-powered radio*, two-way radio, or weather-band radio with a sales price of $50 or less
- A package of AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile
- and boat batteries, with a sales price of $50 or less
- A portable self-powered light source* (powered by battery, solar, hand-crank, or gas) with a sales price of $40 or less
- Flashlight, lanterns, candles
These can vary by state. These items were pulled from Florida’s recent tax holiday. Do your research but know that many states offer these tax holidays for preparedness items.
Grants
It’s hard to believe but FEMA offers pages of emergency preparedness grants. (FEMA.gov)
Many of these are designed for state run operations but you can sift through them all to see what fits for you.
Look for grants that fortify communities.
You can use them to make your area much more prepared in general.
One great example is the Nonprofit Security Grant which is designed to harden targets against terrorism. If I lived in North Carolina where people keep putting bullet holes in power substations I would apply for this loan.
The government is largely a behemoth that is growing out of control. The old restraints have been dissolved in the name of public safety. Between a terrorist attack and a pandemic, we have allowed the government to grow completely out of control.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t diamonds in the rough. As you can see there are lots of opportunities for you to learn. Take full advantage of these government preps. We need every advantage we can muster for the days that are ahead of us.
However, while the government offers a surprising amount of free resources and training, sometimes you need more practical, boots-on-the-ground advice. That’s why I highly recommend this guide the Navy SEAL’s Bug In Guide comes in. This guide goes far beyond what those free courses can provide, offering comprehensive strategies and actionable steps for bugging in during prolonged crises.
Whether you’re facing a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a total grid collapse, this guide is designed to help you create a secure, self-sufficient home environment. You’ll learn how to stockpile food and water, fortify your home against looters, and keep your family safe in any scenario.
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