REMINDER: 2 PM is the first NATIONAL test of the emergency broadcasting system

Today is the first ever test of the National Emergency Broadcasting system, which can only be triggered by the White House. It will go off at 2 PM EST, and will preempt all television and radio programming for about 1 minute. Some radios and TVs may turn on automatically in response to the signal, and some may fail to show the "This is only a test" infographic. But don't panic - it is only a test.

16% of USA Radiation Monitors Offline for Japan Nuclear Crisis

So far, the nuclear crisis in Japan has posed little threat to the shores of the United States. While traces of radiation have been detected, carried by the winds, none have neared life-threatening or even health-threatening levels. But the disaster has showed up something important - the American radiation-monitoring system may not be adequate for our own disaster. 16% of all detectors were offline for the disaster.

In California, home to two seaside nuclear plants located close to earthquake fault lines, federal officials said four of the 11 stationary monitors were offline for repairs or maintenance last week. The Environmental Protection Agency did not immediately say why the monitors were inoperable, but did not fix them until several days after low levels of radiation began drifting toward the mainland U.S.

About 20 monitors out of 124 nationwide were out of service earlier this week, including units in Harlingen, Tex. and Buffalo, N.Y. on Friday, according to the EPA.

While the failure rate is scary to say the least - especially in an age where we fear dirty bombs and/or suitcase nukes - this served as a good test of the system. Now, we have a chance to fix the problem, rather than letting the problems languish for lack of attention.

Do you have a "Go Bag" ready?

The disasters in New Zealand, Haiti, and Japan should remind us that disaster specialists recommend every person have a "Go Bag" ready to go at all times. A "Go Bag" is a suitcase packed with the essentials you might need if you had to leave your home suddenly in an emergency, including clothes, emergency supplies, and any information you may need to survive (i.e. contact numbers, photos of loved ones).

If you haven't taken the time. There is no time like the present.

A component of your disaster kit is your Go-bag. Put the following items together in a backpack or another easy to carry container in case you must evacuate quickly. Prepare one Go-bag for each family member and make sure each has an I.D. tag.

• Flashlight
• Radio – battery operated
• Batteries
• Whistle
• Dust mask
• Pocket knife
• Emergency cash in small denominations and quarters for phone calls
• Sturdy shoes, a change of clothes, and a warm hat
• Local map...

8.9 magnitude earthquake + tsunami rock Japan

Amazingly, so far only 32 people are reported dead. But there are sure to be more deaths, injuries, and suffering to come from this horrible disaster. Please consider donating to the Red Cross who will likely be first on the scene to help survivors.

The magnitude 8.9 offshore quake was followed by at least 19 aftershocks, most of them of more than magnitude 6.0. Dozens of cities and villages along a 1,300-mile (2,100-kilometer) stretch of coastline were shaken by violent tremors that reached as far away as Tokyo, hundreds of miles (kilometers) from the epicenter...

Even for a country used to earthquakes, this one was of horrific proportions. It unleashed a 23-foot (7-meter) tsunami that swept boats, cars, buildings and tons of debris miles inland...

The U.S. Geological Survey said the 2:46 p.m. quake was a magnitude 8.9, the biggest earthquake to hit Japan since officials began keeping records in the late 1800s.
A tsunami warning was extended to a number of Pacific, Southeast Asian and Latin American nations, including Japan, Russia, Indonesia, New Zealand and Chile. In the Philippines, authorities said they expect a 3-foot (1-meter) high tsunami.

Banning photographers at accidents is a mistake

In the old days, the main danger of an accident was a rubber-necker (someone slowing way down to look at an accident). These days, the cell phone sniper is a much bigger danger, as people try to use their cell phones to grab an amazingly gory or dramatic picture of an accident scene. So, it is no surprise that some lawmakers want to ban photographs at car accidents. After all, isn't that the best way to force people to do the right thing, and spare families the trauma of seeing pictures of injured loved ones?

Nope. The fact is this law will be essentially unenforceable... except for cases where law already exist - where someone endangers someone else to get the shot by driving dangerously or getting in the way of emergency responders. And if anyone tries to enforce it, they are more likely to take energy away from the wounded in favor of punishing the stupid.

Let Free Speech win in this case. Forget these well-meaning, but foolish laws.

Good tips to prepare for a Church emergency

The reported church shooting from this past weekend has left a lot of people wondering how to prepare their own houses of worship for such an attack. This site has up a good list of questions to ask yourself and to ask your church leadership.

1. Does your church have a series of written, known, and practiced emergency plans?
2. How secure is your children’s ministry?
3. Does your church have security?
4. Does your church have a warm relationship with the local police?
5. Does your church have a policy for potentially dangerous people?

Please note, this list does not mean that Mod-Blog endorses the policies and procedures (or even assumptions) of the parent site. But it is a good checklist to think about for the future. Even if you decide that some of the assumptions (i.e. a security force in a church is appropriate) is not for your house of worship.