Most people stumble into preparedness. It’s usually after a storm knocks out power for a few days, or they see panicked crowds clear out grocery store shelves, or they experience the sting of not having what they need when it matters most. For me, it was different.

I didn’t find preparedness—it was built into me.

My name is Spence. I’m a physician, an Eagle Scout, a retired firefighter and EMT, and I grew up in Alaska. And in Alaska, preparedness isn’t a trend or a tactic—it’s just Tuesday. You don’t learn to survive because it’s cool. You learn because if you don’t, you freeze. You don’t get to opt out. You learn to problem-solve, adapt, and take care of yourself and your neighbors. You don’t wait for help—you become the help.

From the time I was a kid, survival was second nature. My friends and I didn’t carry survival gear to be impressive—we did it because we were raised by people who understood how fast the weather could turn, how quickly help could become unreachable, and how critical it was to think ahead. It shaped who I am, and it’s why I’ve spent my life in service: first as a medic, then as a firefighter, and now as a physician.

Through all those roles, I’ve watched what happens when people are ready—and when they aren’t. I’ve seen the difference it makes when a family has a plan, when someone knows how to respond, when they’ve thought about the “what ifs” before the world throws them at your front door. I’ve also seen the fear in the eyes of people who realize—too late—that they never thought it would happen to them.

That’s why this blog exists. Not to scare you. Not to make you feel behind or unprepared. But to invite you into a mindset that could change everything for you and the people you care about. Preparedness doesn’t have to be extreme. It doesn’t have to be expensive. It just has to start.

We’ll talk about the essentials—water, food, power, first aid, communication, security—and we’ll go deeper into wilderness survival, urban readiness, and the mindset you need to lead through chaos. We’ll explore everything from gear reviews to real-life scenarios. But every step will be grounded, realistic, and doable—because that’s how real preparation works.

Here’s what I’ll never do: talk down to you, overcomplicate things, or push fear as a motivator. I’m not here to make you paranoid—I’m here to make you capable. Because the truth is, the world is unpredictable. You might not get a warning. Emergencies don’t check calendars. They don’t care about your schedule, your budget, or your plans.

But if you start now—if you commit to learning, even just a little each week—you’ll be light years ahead of most. You’ll become someone your family and community can rely on. And that changes everything.

So start today. Do one thing. Inventory your water. Build a small emergency kit. Write down your plan. That single action puts you on the path to resilience.

The world calls it Emergency Preparedness.
We call it Growing up in Alaska.
​Let’s get to work.