Preparing for Doomsday

Here is an article I was featured in from a local newspaper regarding The Mayan End of Days.

Doomsday ... DUN-DUN-DUN

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Posted: Sunday, December 16, 2012 11:45 pm | Updated: 7:49 am, Mon Dec 17, 2012.

By Jenny Wagner jwagner@timesonline.com |0 comments

Are you ready for the apocalypse?

If you’ve been as busy as we have hanging holiday decorations and shopping for presents, chances are you haven’t had any time to think about the impending day of doom, let alone prepare for it.

But don’t worry, we’ve covered the end of the world before. (Remember last year when the leader of a Christian sect in California predicted May 21 was Judgment Day?)

And we’ve got you covered this week. (Just in case the predictions about the Mayan calendar are right.)

Countless theories have bounced around the web for years about how the world will end or be dramatically altered on Friday, and most stem from an interpretation that the long-count Mesoamerican calendar used by ancient civilizations in Latin America comes to a halt on Dec. 21, 2012.

Numerous scientists have discredited the idea, but some believers claim that a rogue planet will collide with Earth, or the rotation of the globe will suddenly shift or some other major disaster will lead to our utter demise.

On its website, NASA posted frequently asked questions and answers about the anticipated apocalypse in order to reassure the public that the world will not end this year.

“For any claims of disaster or dramatic changes in 2012, where is the science? Where is the evidence? There is none, and for all the fictional assertions, whether they are made in books, movies, documentaries or over the Internet, we cannot change that simple fact,” the scientists wrote.

Paul Falavolito doesn’t believe the world is coming to an end either, but he knows a thing or two about dealing with disasters.

“Some people believe that next week, ‘Hey my wife’s going to turn into a zombie!’ But to me, I don’t subscribe to the idea that the world is going to end on any specific day,” the White Oak resident said.

But through his job as chief of White Oak EMS, Falavolito sees disasters and emergencies happen every day, and he believes in being prepared for such events.

The “domestic prepper” — not to be confused with the “doomsday preppers,” who you may have seen on the television show of the same name — has put a lot of time and money into his own preparedness, and he offered up a few tips for those who might be feeling increasingly nervous as Friday approaches.

“I think the biggest thing that harms people in any disaster is that sudden change of lifestyle,” Falavolito said. “You’re used to 70 degrees and three meals a day that are hot, but now all of a sudden you’re ripping open an MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) that the military hands out.”

To avoid the initial shock, Falavolito suggests new preppers start by walking around their homes to evaluate the things they will need in the event of a disaster.

“Ask yourself, ‘If I lose power in my house for 72 hours or more what are the things that I need to have on hand to restore my life to how it would be with power?’” he said.

Flashlights, non-parishable or canned foods, and a way to cook and/or heat water are good places to start. Medical supplies, blankets and means of protection are also important to consider.

And just in case zombies do take over on Friday, Falavolito suggests opening all those carefully-wrapped presents on Thursday night and getting a vehicle that can navigate all kinds of terrain and outrun the undead.

Fighting zombies and battling the rush at the grocery store isn’t for everyone though, so we also have some suggestions for other ways to prepare.

Some local bars, such as Tinker’s in Crescent Township, are planning to go out with a bang at End of the World parties. You could also celebrate with the band Downfall, for their final performance Friday at the Fallout Shelter in Aliquippa.

It may also be fun just to kick back in your favorite spot and wait to see what happens. We recommend stocking up on the appropriately-named Rapture IPA from Helltown Brewing in Mount Pleasant.

Owner Shawn Gentry said the hoppy beer goes well with spicy foods, and is best enjoyed while hanging out with friends and family.

And since you won’t have to worry about heartburn or a hangover on Saturday, it sounds like a good plan to us.

United Airlines Flight 93

I decided to post my journal from the time I spent as a First Responder for Flight 93.  This was published in the One Year 9/11 Anniversary Edition of Emergency Medical Services Magazine.

15 September 2001

Shanksville, Somerset County, Pa

United Flight 93 Crash Site

To my family and friends;

Because I know all of you are curious and many of you will ask, I am preparing this document to send to all of you.  From my brief time here I already know that this is something that will live with me forever. I was told that a team of NAVY SEALS came in yesterday heavily armed and escorted a truck full of debris out of here.  This is a very tense place.  I can already feel the tremendous pain associated with this duty.  This is why I am sending this to you all, I already know this is something I do not ever want to talk about and I know for sure I must not ever re-visit these feelings.

Upon my arrival at the site, we were greeted by a barrier of PA state police cars on a rural road in this town.  To each side were nothing but farmland and a few associated homes, each displaying the American Flag.  At the checkpoint we showed our Id’s and were allowed through.  The next two miles I could not believe my feelings and my eyes.  Down this country road police cars and troopers were everywhere.  Open fires were burning with smoke filling the air.  Flags were hanging from branches, fences, anything that would hold them.  Troopers were huddled around the fires getting warm, horse back troopers were everywhere patrolling the area, hundreds of American flags lined the road on both sides, check points were everywhere.  I could hear someone talking on a loud speaker and could hear his voice echoing in the hills.  This was a very scary feeling, I felt like I was in another country.  I could not believe this was Pennsylvania, I could not believe this madness was in my state, my homeland.  This was something out of a movie, it reminded me of the movie Red Dawn hearing that voice on the PA system and seeing the open fires.  We passed the media area and you could imagine the hundreds of tents, cameras, reporters, etc all in place.  Memorials and small shrines are all over the area as well as many signs and flags. Passenger family members are here placing pictures and personal effects in the area. Finally at the medical trailer (which resembled a small RV) I was able to finally stow my gear and get ready for the shift.  The trailer is located on top of the hill overlooking the crash site.  I still don’t have the courage to go and look over the hill.  Outside in the dusty gravel parking lot are porta potties, Red Cross trucks, state police, FBI vehicles, NTSB personnel, etc.  This place is crawling with everything and everyone you could imagine from the biggest action movie.  Just behind the medical trailer is a small landing zone for helicopters.  I think I have seen 3 in the one-hour I have been here.  This is where I will remain for my shift with periodical drives through the site on small John Deere Quads checking to see if everyone is OK.  Right now I am waiting to go get photographed for my ID from the FBI for access to this area.  This site will remain open  24/7 for the next 5-7 weeks.  

In the medical trailer we have all the equipment of a small field ER.  We even have a telephone, small bathroom and Verizon is right now installing a dedicated phone line for Internet access (this makes me very happy).  I am working today with a retired police officer and a nurse from a local hospital.  Together we will be providing any medical care as well as CISM (critical incident stress management) for the workers and family members that are overcome with their loss and emotion.

Over at the photo ID center there are 4 or 5 Red Cross trucks that have put outside several tables of food.  It actually looks like a mobile Sheetz store.  Boxes of every kind of fruit, snacks, and candy.  Crate after crate of soda, water and juice.  They are cooking real food as well for everyone.  

I finally went to the overlook and saw the crash site.  It looks just like you see it on TV.  I can see lots of heavy equipment, workers in decontamination suits, and lots of police guarding the site.  Near the overlook they are leveling a section of land and paving it so family will have a suitable place to park and leave articles in remembrance.  There are already flowers, cards and teddy bears near where the workers are starting to pave.  It really hit home when I saw that one family of a flight attendant left a piece of poster board with a collage of pictures of their daughter.  She is a very beautiful woman in her late 20’s.  Now there is a face to place with all this evil and once again I am angry and sad at the same time. She looks so peaceful in these photos with her family and friends.  I think one picture is of her daughter and her husband, how sad.  I cannot believe she was apart of this mess.  

On the front porch of the trailer, the sights and sounds continue all day long.  The sound of heavy trucks hauling equipment, the occasional smell of jet fuel, the helicopters flying by, all the federal agents.  This again almost feels like a dream, but it is not.  It is too real.  Workers are already coming into the medical trailer for minor things like cuts and bumps.  I think deep inside they come here because it is not the crash site, it is there release to be able to be away even for the slightest of moments.  We provide them a place to come and talk, to vent and sometimes to cry.  I am happy to be apart of that, but wish it could be under different circumstances.

Lunch was awesome, cheeseburgers and salad.  I will say this and this is something that is drastically overlooked.  In my career as a paramedic people always come to me and ask, “How do you do it” and “You’re a hero”, I hope after this tragedy is over no one ever asks me that or says that to me again.  Aside from all the volunteers, fireman, workers, etc, I personally don’t know how The American Red Cross does it.  Think about it, they are there for EVERY disaster, every fire, every upending of families life’s, etc.  I could not handle seeing the shrine for the stewardess; they handle entire families, entire communities, all the time.  It is amazing the strength they have.  They definitely deserve the handshake and the pat on the back.  They are all hero’s.

The state police just escorted some family through the site and then flew them over the crash site by chopper.  I can only imagine what they must see from up there and how it makes them feel.  I do not want to know.  Our boss at the medical trailer just told us the local fire dept just went into the crash site because they found a big piece of the body of the plane and they needed the Jaws of Life to open it.  I am sure we all know the terror they will find inside when they cut it open.

One of the most touching and moving events I witnessed was when the FBI raised the flag that was flying over the White House on September 11^th over this crash site.  A memorial service is planned for Sunday September 16^th overlooking the crash site.  I am sure it will be a heart-wrenching event.  

In closing, I know this for sure.  I will definitely come back a different man with different views, all for the good I hope.  Makes you want to be a bit nicer to everyone you take for granite each day.  Take care of yourselves and each other.

Paul Falavolito

Paramedic, White Oak EMS

Shanksville, Pa Crash Site 

United Airlines Flight 93

No Easy Day - The Firsthand Account Of The Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden BOOK REVIEW

I will start of by saying I was very excited to read this book when I first heard about it a month or so ago.  I was excited at the thought of hearing all about the mission that finally killed "OBL" but even more, I was hoping to see the picture of him dead.  This won't be your typical book review that most of you are accustomed to reading.  I don't review books professionally for anyone nor do I claim to be an expert in publishing, etc....you get the point!!!  What I am is a man that has dedicated my life to helping others.  I have been involved with para military groups, military, public safety, and  Search & Rescue groups for the better part of the past 25 years.  So you can say, "Yeah, I wanted the details of this mission and the photo the world didn't get to see."  What I wasn't expecting was the fact that this book was going to be released without the permission from The Pentagon, Navy, Seal Teams, DOD, and POTUS.  That is where I start to have a problem.

I downloaded the book on release day to my iPad and began the read.  The beginning chapters were interesting, but it certainly wasn't "Rogue Warrior" if you know what I mean.  Perhaps that was the caution that the author used or maybe I just didn't find the material in the beginning chapters overly exciting from what I already knew.

I am not going to give away details in case some of you have not read the book.  The mission details of OBL were pretty cool but again not overly dramatic as I thought it was going to be.  After all CNN & Fox described this mission much differently than the author describes it.  It was obvious to me now what the media was trying to do at the direction of The White House...  Basically another cover up....who's surprised?  I have to wonder after reading this that if classified information was released, ( I think there was) was it really worth the legal battle that the author now faces.  If it were me, I would have walked away from the whole thing saying, "Let the media think what they want"  "I know the truth and what the media is saying isn't even close".  But who am I after all to dispute this?  This is one legal war I am happy that I won't have to deal with.  I hope for both sides that this matter gets resolved quickly.  I don't like the fact that in the good ol' U.S. of A that we may have just released a "How to better cover your tracks" manifesto for any terrorist group.  They don't need us telling them how to fool us in the future of doing a better job of what they do.  My 2 cents......

What is it about weather?

What is it about weather that is so fascinating.  The eerie images from Hurricane Isaac the past few days have consumed us all, glued to the television for hours, watching and waiting for that next destructive image.  So sad and heartbreaking but at the time so fascinated that you simply cannot pull away from it. 

 I will admit that I am consumed by significant weather events and I can't state a rational reason why I find it so exciting.  I cringe at the loss of damage and property, yet I am so fueled by the images and having the chance to be part of it.  Last year I responded as part of my job to Hurricane Irene in New York.  It was an amazing experience.  A few years earlier again I found myself working in the snow blizzard that affected Pittsburgh and the surrounding counties.  Again so heart pounding and exciting.  But what is it about weather that makes ordinary people infatuated with mother natures wrath? 

 These images are amazing.  Not amazing that I think they are cool and that I would wallpaper them all over my computer or iPhone, but amazing in the sense that this can happen anytime, anywhere to all of us.  And at the core we all realize how small of a world we live in and how these weather disasters will effect us for many years to come.  Let this be the great wake up call and call to action for all us to get prepared, prepared for the very worst that life can send our way.  I sincerely hope that all effected by this storm will overcome the great hurdles that lay in their way.

Images from www.weather.com

PurifiCup Product Review

A few months ago I was surfing my Twitter feed and I first saw a RT (Re-Tweet) pop up mentioning a Twitter user named @purificup.  Because I follow so many survival, preparedness, disaster preparedness twitter users, I was curious and I clicked on the tweet. It took me to the companies web page www.purificup.com.  I was in love instantly with this product.  A small, lightweight, compact water filtration/purification system that kills 99.99999% of everything nasty that can be found in rivers, streams, tap water, etc.  I watched their videos and read some of their scientific reports and knew I had to get my hands on one of these to add to my survival and Search & Rescue kits.

I Immediately started following @purificup on twitter and soon after, they began following me.  I finally sent them a direct message stating who I was and that I was looking to purchase a PurifiCup to test out for Search & Rescue and for Disaster Preparedness.  The response blew me away....A gentleman named Robert Kao tweets me right back informing me he will be in Pittsburgh in 48 hours to demo the unit to a major sporing goods company and if I can meet him in the lobby of his hotel he will give me a unit to try out.  HOLY CRAP!!!!!! Do you know how many companies I have written to for outdoor products to test out?  Do you know how many of them have ever sent anything to be tested out?  Well friends, the answer is very few, and there was always some corny catch to it.  God forbid you would want to put your product in someones hand who could potentially help spread the word for you.  Not PurifiCup.  Their response was immediate and I couldn't be more excited to meet with them.

The day arrived and I met with Mr. Kao in Pittsburgh. We sat in the lobby of his hotel and he dazzled me with all of the science that PurifiCup rightfully can brag about.  They have accomplished something that no one else has been able to in such a lightweight, portable design.  Now, I could copy and paste all the facts and science and this could quickly look like everyone else's blog and review, but that's not me.  I got the science and I understood it, but I wanted the taste test.

He brought me back a glass of bathroom tap water and that's exactly what it tasted like.  That nasty, non-refreshing metallic taste that we all have experienced...the kind of water I would only allow in my mouth to rinse and spit with after I brushed my teeth.  He assembled the PurifiCup in about 5 seconds.  It's only 3 pieces (Large cup, small cup and a filter).  He poured the same tap water in the large cup and the magic immediately began.  The water started a small drizzle through the middle filter and into the drinking cup.  I was amazed that I could IMMEDIATELY see a clarity change in the water.  The taste was absolutely astonishing....I know..I know..It's just water, but until you experience this, you simply have no idea.  I was presented with my own PurifiCup and I was ready to take it into the field for it's test.

About a month later I finally was able to head out to Ohiopyle State Park in The Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania for my field test.  With 100% confidence I submerged the large cup into the moving waters and I was ready for action.  The cup assembled with ease, the filtration took about 90 seconds for a full cup and within minutes I was enjoying the cleanest, purest, most  refreshing glass of mountain water I have ever tasted.  I have tried out other filter and purification products...you know the ones with hoses, pumps, batteries, lights, chemicals, etc.  And although they were ok, the PurifiCup delivered to me something better than I have ever experienced without the hoses, batteries, chemicals and lights.  The more people hat watched me submerge and filter, the more that became curious and asked what I was doing.  A few samples were handed out to onlookers and I could tell they were having the same moment I was having.

PurifiCup makes two models.  A natural water unit that does 150 filtrations and a tap water unit that does 300 filtrations.  So if you are a frequent traveler and you don't want to pay $4 for a bottle of water, then this model is for you.  The shelf life is 4-5 years for the unopened filter, so preppers everywhere can have confidence that this can sit unopened on a shelf and be ready for use when they need it.  One of the coolest features about the filter unit is that it will mate to the drinking cup it comes with, a wide mouth Nalgene type bottle or a standard 3 ring water bottle.  The 3 white rings you see in the photo below are a unique counter mechanism to keep track of each filtration process.  At just $59.95 PurifiCup is a must have for your backpack, home, carry on etc.  Achieving safe drinking water anywhere has never been easier.  To see my full video review of this product please visit www.youtube.com/thepfav and look under the product review play list.  Thank you PurifiCup!!!!

NASA Triumphs once again

I have been a NASA junkie since I was a small boy. I can remember my dad taking me to see STS-2 and STS-4 and that was the beginning of the passion for everything space. I was the coolest kid on the block when I had the old refrigerator box converted into my own make shift Space Shuttle in my mom's backyard.

I was lucky enough to get to meet Joe Engle, Richard Truly, Sandy Magnus and Chris Ferguson. Last year I won a twitter contest and got to participate in a NASA Tweetup at NASA HQ in Washington DC. So it's safe to say I have had many "space" moments in my life.














But I have to tell you, there was something very magical watching Curiosity land on Mars this morning. There was a very real, unscripted reaction watching the celebration at mission control when they received confirmation of touchdown that gave me goosebumps on top of goosebumps.

For my generation it was our "That's one small step for man" moment. A moment I will cherish forever.

Congratulations to everyone at NASA who made this possible. I hope in the years to come they can receive the funding they need to keep the exploration and the dream alive. Space is our future. There are many more small boys and girls who deserve their "space" moments too.

The Attention of Chick-fil-a

Like so many of you, I am sick and tired of hearing about Chick-fil-a in the news.  The only time I want to think about this restaurant is when I am craving something from their menu.  Regardless of what their President said about his position on marriage, do you realize what all of the new attention is doing for Chick-fil-a?  Read the news.  "Record profits, all time sales...." Seriously if you are offended by what was said, then find a new way to protest. If you think you are hurting them, then think again.  They are laughing all the way to the bank.

What are these judges thinking?

It doesn't matter if it's the UFC, HBO Boxing or Olympic Boxing, there is a clear problem that is happening universally with the way that judges are scoring fights.  Today in the Olympics, I watched two matches and just walked away shaking my head at the decision; not because who I wanted to win lost (I had no idea who any of these fighters were) but because to the TV viewer it was so painfully obvious who won the fight, only to see the judges give it to the other guy.  Did anyone catch the NBC announcer who said "This is why boxing has become a joke".  Imagine the fighters and what they go through for a minute.  The training camps, the injuries, the time and commitment, the life style that they have to live, only to see their dreams destroyed by poor some judging & refereeing.  What exactly they are looking at and how they are scoring it is just mind blowing to me, and it's a shame that Olympic Boxing is prone to this as well.  It's just sad.......




****Follow Up****
The boxing referee in one of the above mentioned bouts was just expelled from the Olympic Games and sent home.  The fight was overturned on appeal and the Japanese boxer was awarded the bout.  That's great and some justice has been served, but at the end of the day his initial Olympic moment was taken from him by some biased referee.

What is a Champion?

19 Olympic medals? Being on a winning sports team? How do the common define champion? For me, my gold medal has always been being in control of my own destiny, both professionally and personally. Most of us reading this will never know the glory of standing on any kind of podium or receiving that big sponsor payday. No matter what we do or where we work, in our own minds we can never forgot that we are champions to those close to us and perhaps to people not so close to us. For that reason alone, I stand on my own podium in my heart holding my gold medal close to me.

Congratulations to Team USA for all that you have accomplished. For those that may not win a medal during these games always remember...you don't need a medal to be a champion. Just getting there is champion enough.

A logistical nightmare for The London Olympics

I can only imagine the time, stress and planning that went into pulling off the 2012 Olympics in London.  But as I sit here and watch the games through week one, I watch baffled at some of the logistical failures that I have seen and can't help but think, WHAT WERE THEY THINKING!!!

1.  Who was the mystery woman that walked out with the Indian delegation during the opening ceremony?  Did you all see and here about this one?  One of the volunteers who performed in the opening show was so overwhelmed and excited with "Olympic Fever" decides, "Hey, I'm just gonna walk out with Team India."  Are you freaking kidding me?  You just performed in the most magical performance in the last 4 years, and you decide you need more of the spot light?  Hey lady.....go buy a freaking t-shirt and enjoy your memories.  End result will be tightened security over volunteers at future games.  Thanks again lady for ruining it for future generations of volunteers.


2.  The Olympic Cauldron. So in seven years worth of planning and agonizing over every blueprint, detail, costume, venue that needed built, blah blah blah.....no one looked at that blueprint and said, "Hmmm do you think we should build it higher than 25 feet and not put it in the middle of the stadium where it will burn alone and unseen for a week until track & field begins?" Or do you think it was more of this type of conversation, "Hey, let's go with this idea, BUT we'll just transfer a smaller flame into a lantern, extinguish the most recognizable, traditional symbol in the world for a day or so and just rebuild it while the world is watching gymnasts cry and guy's are diving off a platform in their banana hammocks." Well friends, we all know which choice they went with and I'm still shaking my head over this one.  You don't extinguish the Olympic Flame until the closing ceremony and the "Dying Flame" is played.  I hope Joe Farnsworth or whatever his name was got to keep his torch he used to re-light it or do you think he went with a zippo?


3.  Empty Seats. Well gee Danny Boy, whatever are we going to do with all these empty seats. How about review the waiting list and contact those people for the tickets? Oh wait, you probably didn't have one of those either.  Well, how about give them away or sell them at a reduced rate? You know, spend your money at the Official Restaurant of the Olympics (McDonald's) and instead of upselling them to a Cafe McMocha give them a freaking ticket to Equestrian or something.  Needless to say I am sure there were lots of groups like the volunteers, non-profits & public safety personnel that would have enjoyed getting some ticket swag. Or better yet..... The CHILDREN.
ps....I'm sure the lady that walked out with Team India would have been ecstatic to get a free ticket, just saying.


4.  Police lose keys to Olympic Venue. Wow...just wow.  So the London Police have lost the keys to Wembley Olympic Football Stadium days before the games begin.  Scotland Yard dispatched a crack team of detective to investigate and they found nothing and that no criminal activity has occurred.....they are just lost.  So $10,000 more (laser keys) on an already taxed British Economy and all is right in the Olympic Universe.  Oooops!!!!


Ok, I am done for now.  Make no mistake: I love the Olympics, what it represents and what it means for the athletes, the nations and the world.  I have laughed and cried from the opening ceremony until now. Thankfully nothing evil has happened, but seriously all of this embarrassment could have been avoided.

Pug Life

See I wasn't lying about the pug in my last post. If there is one lesson I have learned from my dog: when the going gets rough, just find a warm blanket to crawl under for a few minutes.

Video Blog vs Old School Blog

I have spent the better part of the last year behind my camera and editing software attempting to bring the world the "behind the scenes" life of my professional life. I have realized that I miss the simple form of writing or in this case...typing. It's been too long since I have inked an article for a magazine or someone else's newsletter , and I realized its time to try this blogging thing again. I have destroyed the micro blogging world on twitter the past year, but hey.... what can your really say in 140 characters. Sometimes in life you just need more. In my case, I am choosing this format to rant, rave and in some cases review everything that life throws my way. Right now it 0154 on the east coast. It's hot, I can't sleep and I have a snoring grunting pug laying beside me who somehow finds a way to turn my queen size bed into her own. For now, it's time to try and figure out all the features of this app. More later.....