Managing the Risks: Emergency Preparedness Systems, LLC

From our website and these posts it may seem like all we've been doing lately is shopping for our new gear. We wish! Actually while Meg and I are following up with all of our potential and confirmed sponsors, there are a number of other projects in the works including menu planning, further route research and organizing our resupply. One of the ongoing challenges is preparing for and managing the inevitable risks of a trip to the far north. Mostly this involves playing the "what if" game. What if our resupply doesn't show up in time? What if a canoe tips in the middle of a set of rapids on the Coppermine? What if a hungry bear decides to rummage through our tent? (Extra points if you know which of these actually happened in '05! Hint: there's a relevant picture at the bottom of this post.) Anyway, you get the idea. It's all about preparation and prevention. Think of what might go wrong and do your best to prevent it from happening and to be prepared in case it happens anyway.

We're incredibly luck to again have the support of Emergency Preparedness Systems LLC as we go through this process. EPS, which is based in Plover, WI, helps clients prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. The founder, Greg Freise, along with his wife Amanda and several other EPS employees, is an alumnus and a strong supporter of Manito-wish. As in 2005 the folks at EPS have generously agreed to sponsor us with several in-kind services as we prepare for our upcoming expedition. Their logistical support will be invaluable as we put together a first aid kit, review our medical certifications and help prepare contingency plans for everything from a late resupply to an emergency evacuation. EPS has also agreed to provide emergency phone support throughout the expedition. (In addition to our line-to-sight radio and our personal locating beacon we will carry a satellite phone in case of emergencies.) We certainly hope not to have to take them up on their offer, but in case anything does go wrong we can say with absolute confidence that there is no one we would rather have pick up the phone.