Queens Fire, Cell Phones and Being Prepared

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This Queens fire is devastating; the photos of the scene are heartbreaking. I wonder if any of those homeowners thought their home would be destroyed not by water or trees, but by fire? The scene and story resemble those disaster movies that were so popular in the 70's and 80's. (It's a commentary that theater is what I can most closely relate to in a disaster. I've been lucky.) Those firefighters working through the hurricane to save lives and property were prepared, and it would have been much, much worse if not for their skills and experience and willingness to be there. I think we take them for granted too often. I'm grateful to live in a society where we have such services, and where people are willing to step up to help each other out.

It also reminds me to be prepared for any possible outcome. I've already got a "go bag" and supplies for an emergency, but now I'm thinking of my cell phone, which only lasts about 36 hours in a best case scenario power situation. I'd be one of these people for sure:


Time to pull out one of my old phones that lasts for about a week on a charge and can't do much more than make phone calls as a prepaid backup. Or get a cheap landline with a phone that doesn't require electricity, which is what I had in Texas. (Super cheap there, though, only about $10 a month.)

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