• How many “incidents” have you participated in over the length of your career?

Thousands all together. Of those I would say several hundred wildfires that were of notable size. About five of which set records in the US. I have been on maybe 20 or so hurricane incidents. Maybe 4 or 5 times that many for really bad weather that didn’t qualify as hurricanes. The rest were just everyday emergency calls for one thing or another, house fires, vehicle accidents, HazMat, extrications, etc. One of note is going to Australia for 6 weeks to help them fight wildfires. That was back in 2007.

• What makes you think you are a prepper expert and people should listen to you?

That’s the great thing about the Internet, read and believe anyone you want to. As for me, I put my experience and qualifications out there for people to see and evaluate. Then folks are free to believe me or not. I always encourage people to judge my information against commonsense and their own experience. Then do as you wish with whatever I have to say. I am only an “expert” if you view me as one.

• Sometimes the stuff you write paints a desperate and depressing view of the world, why?

I am not into “fluff” at all. I am going to tell you what I think and how I feel. I am not going to dilute what I think is coming. If I did I would be lying and hurting your Situational Awareness. I want to be the one person one who tells it to you like it is, then you can prepare for it or not. But remember, I have a whole lot of hope for the future. Ultimately I believe that Jesus Christ returns to earth. In the meantime we have a tremendous opportunity to learn and grow…and straighten each other, especially our family. And when the day finally arrives that all our preps are needed, we will be able to reach out to family, friends, neighbors, community, and our congregations to help them as needed. So my outlook for what happens is bleak in one respect, it will be a glorious opportunity in so many other ways.

• You talk about “bugging out” but I’ve never seen you talk about walking somewhere to get there. Do you think you will always have a vehicle to drive?

There’s a lot to that question, let me take it in pieces. A bugout is not my preference, sheltering in place is always my preference. If I have to bugout I want to drive so I can take all of my primary supplies and gear with me. I think there is a small chance that we won’t be able to use a vehicle. If I can’t drive, then I will walk and I have my gear designed to do that. But, I greatly increase my chances of dying if I am walking, so my preference is to drive. The chance of having to walk I calculate at under 3%.

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• Which is better, bug-out or shelter in place?

First, let me congratulate you on using the correct term, shelter in place. Some people use the term bug-in and that is not the correct professional term. I think that sheltering in place is always the preferred option. You have everything with you, don’t have to transport it, best organization, and most familiarity with your surroundings. That being said, sheltering in place, is not always possible. I think a person should always have a minimum of four options to bug out to.

• How important are guns for preppers?

The most important “thing” for preppers to have is a gun…or 5 or 10. You must be able to defend yourself and your family. If you can’t defend yourself from the bad guys then all your stuff becomes their resource. Along with the weapon itself, you must have the mentality that you can and will pull the trigger to defend your family.

• What do you think is the number one worse thing that ever happened in the United States?

The creation of the Progressive agenda in the later 1800’s. I can honestly and sincerely say that event ensured the downfall of the United States much like the creation of a Roman Emperor was the turning point that ensured the downfall of the Roman Empire.

• How much ammunition should you have on hand as a prepper?

I like to joke around and say if you know how much ammo you have, you don’t have enough. And, I prefer to answer that question in relation to each gun you have. Here are my thoughts for minimums –

– Pistol: 200 rounds of Hornady XTP or Golden Saber

– Shotgun: 300 rounds of 00 buckshot, Slugs, Hornady SST

– Carbine: 2000 rounds of a good penetrating round if 5.56, FMJ if 7.62

• What is your favorite knife?

Not easy answer for that, I have several I like. I look for a quality knife that will hold an edge, easy to sharpen, and doesn’t need a lot of care. It also depends on the mission for the knife.

– Survival: ESEE 3, 4, or 5

– Combat: Gerber StrongArm

– Fighting; CRKT Hishotiam

– Every Day Carry (clip): Syderco Paramilitary

– Every Day Carry (pocket): Gerber model STL 2.0 (black) knife

Ask me a question …

2009 - 2018 Copyright © AHTrimble.com ~ All rights reserved
No reproduction or other use of this content 
without expressed written permission from AHTrimble.com
See Content Use Policy for more information.