This week, our team set up the 16x16 humanitarian tent for one reason: practice. The goal was not simply to get the tent upright, but to learn the process inside and out: where each pole locks, how the fabric stretches into place, and how long it really takes when boots hit the ground.

The tent itself is impressive. It can withstand gusts of up to 65 mph, sheds rain and snow, and offers 256 square feet of floor space. That is enough room for cots, tables, operations gear, and just about everything else we need. Aside from a mallet for staking it into the ground, no tools are required. It is sturdy, reliable, and built to hold up when the weather is working against us.

Dry runs like this are not about equipment alone. They are about people. Yesterday we had the chance to meet two of our volunteers, Melvin and Joel, who helped us navigate the process. Both proved themselves more than capable, and their hands-on knowledge makes the entire team stronger. Newton, our Morale Officer also supervised.

When disasters strike, time is the one thing communities cannot spare. If we wait until the middle of a deployment to figure out how a piece of equipment works, we have already lost minutes that should go toward delivering supplies or briefing volunteers. Repetition eliminates that risk. We will continue conducting dry runs until every winch, every radio, every generator, and every tool in our kit is second nature to the people using it.

Preparedness is not just about having gear. It is about having the confidence to deploy it effectively when conditions are at their worst. These practice sessions transform hesitation into muscle memory. They turn a tent from a pile of fabric and poles into a life-saving operations base.

When the call comes in, we will not be fumbling with instructions. We will be ready.

It has come to our attention that some readers may assume the Gazette includes every update about upcoming trainings, meetings, or disaster responses. That is not the case. The Gazette provides stories, insights, and highlights, but the day-to-day alerts and operational details are reserved for our volunteers.

Volunteers receive email updates when we are placed on alert, along with advance notice of future trainings and opportunities to prepare. These communications give a rough but valuable look behind the curtain, so our team is always ready when the call comes.

If this is information you would like to receive, we encourage you to join us as a volunteer with Grounded Boots Relief.

We are honored that Grounded Boots Relief has been chosen as one of the beneficiaries of the upcoming Dark Forest Halloween Gala at Continuum Art. All proceeds from non-alcoholic beverages and cocktails will directly support our mission.

The night will feature live music, aerial performances, tarot readings, a pumpkin carving contest, and plenty of spooky surprises. Costumes are encouraged, and prizes await in the costume contest categories.

Celebrate Halloween, enjoy a night of frightful fun, and support disaster response in our community. Tickets are available now. Join us for an evening to remember!

CLICK HERE for more information.

The Lockdown Generation
95% of U.S. schools now drill students for active shooters. Nearly every child in America grows up practicing lockdown drills.
Source: everytown.org

At our last deployments, I did what I imagine most people do when they move houses or pack for vacation. I shoved everything I thought we might need into the back of my Chevy Colorado and hoped for the best. This is not exactly what the professionals call “logistics.”

Thankfully, we have gotten smarter since then. Grounded Boots Relief has narrowed our focus to assessments and communication, and oddly enough, that makes our work broader and sharper at the same time. Now we actually know what equipment matters. We have Starlink for internet, a side-by-side that laughs at mud, a tent that doubles as an operations base and a place to crash, and a communications system that is not just two tin cans and a string. Even the Colorado is looking more prepared. It has a drawer system, hazard lights, recovery equipment, and a jack with stands. Soon we will add a winch and molle panels to mount propane, water, maybe a rooftop tent, and whatever else fits without making the truck look like a rolling yard sale.

This week has been humbling in all the right ways. Every time I think I am finally catching up on knowledge, I meet someone who knows twice as much and explains it in half the words. That is when I take off the hat, nod politely, and try to absorb as much as I can. The difference now is that I know where to look for real, applicable knowledge instead of just random “disaster tips” from the internet.

So here we are. A little more experienced than last year, a lot more equipped than last month, and still learning every day. Preparedness is not a finish line. It is more like a treadmill, except the treadmill sometimes throws trees at you and dumps three feet of rain in your backyard. We will keep running anyway.

Thank you for putting up with the learning curve. Hopefully it is useful to you, or at the very least, mildly entertaining.