West Mountain LLC

West Mountain LLC Delivering limited, course-based fi****ms and professional training to select clients, including the U.S. Military Academy (West Point).

Emphasizes safety, professionalism, and clear standards over high-volume or commercial branding.

08/14/2026

If you are a fi****ms instructor and your students are calling other trainers AFTER they have been to your class to get answers on basic concepts, that indicates a significant issue.

Being a professional means educating your students to the prescribed course material and being available to them after the course to follow up.

Do better!

FYI- Utah Non-Resident Permit Fees are set to go up soon. Still a good value to protect yourself travelling.
08/05/2026

FYI- Utah Non-Resident Permit Fees are set to go up soon. Still a good value to protect yourself travelling.

BUY THE NIGHT SIGHTS!
08/02/2026

BUY THE NIGHT SIGHTS!

07/07/2026

Emergency Preparedness Part VII: What Are We Doing This For?

Over the course of this series, we have talked about a lot of things.

We started by learning the lay of the land—understanding where we actually live, who provides our emergency services, where our electricity and water come from, where our sewage goes, and what hazards exist around us.

Then we took stock of our households.

Who lives there? Are children present? Does anyone have medical needs, dietary restrictions, prescription medications, mobility issues, or electrically powered medical equipment?

We looked at the vehicle as more than transportation—a maintained and fueled resource that may provide mobility, limited electrical power, charging capability, temporary heating or cooling, and even a place of short-term refuge during extreme conditions.

We discussed communications—the limitations of cellular networks and home internet, battery backup for network equipment, radios, and the importance of being able to receive information, check on others, coordinate resources, and call for help.

We discussed generators and emergency power—from small portable inverter generators to professionally installed standby systems—and how backup electricity can keep food cold, homes warm, well pumps operating, communications working, and important medical equipment running.

We talked about medical preparedness—not pretending to be a trauma surgeon, but maintaining prescription medications, useful over-the-counter medications, basic first-aid supplies, and the ability to support the everyday medical needs of the people in your home.

And we discussed fire safety—working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, the right extinguisher for the job, PASS, exit planning, EDITH, stored fuels, extension cords, generator hazards, and recognizing when not to fight a fire.

So what are we doing all of this for?

Look at the events that most often disrupt ordinary life.

Severe thunderstorms.

Extended power outages.

Blizzards.

Hurricanes and tropical storms.

Ice storms.

Flooding.

Extreme heat.

Extreme cold.

Wildfire smoke and other environmental hazards.

Pandemics and public-health emergencies.

And yes, depending on where you live and what is happening around you, periods of civil disorder or other unusual events.

But for most of us, weather and infrastructure failure are among the most frequent and realistic threats we face.

And here is something some people may find surprising:

I am a fi****ms instructor, and I made it through an entire emergency preparedness series without telling you to buy a gun.

That was intentional.

I teach people how to use fi****ms safely and responsibly. I believe they can have a lawful role in hunting, sport, and personal defense.

But practical preparedness requires perspective.

You are far more likely to need a flashlight during a power outage, a generator to keep essential systems operating, medication for a family member, a working smoke alarm, a properly rated extension cord, a full tank of gas, a shovel, a chainsaw, basic hand tools, or a way to keep food cold than you are to need a firearm in a defensive encounter.

That does not make fi****ms irrelevant.

It puts them in perspective.

If you decide that a firearm for lawful hunting or personal defense should be part of your life, approach that decision seriously.

Do it legally.

Get appropriate training.

Store it responsibly.

Understand the laws governing possession and use.

Maintain your skills.

And understand that owning a firearm does not replace the rest of preparedness.

A gun cannot pump water from your well.

It cannot keep insulin cold.

It cannot charge a phone.

It cannot clear a fallen tree from your driveway.

It cannot put out a kitchen fire.

It cannot keep your pipes from freezing.

It cannot refill an empty gas tank.

It cannot tell you whether your family member across town is safe.

And it cannot substitute for planning.

That is really the point of this entire series.

Preparedness is not about fear.

It is not about politics.

It is not about buying the most expensive equipment.

It is not about pretending to be a soldier, police officer, firefighter, paramedic, or survival expert.

It is about understanding where you live.

Understanding who depends on you.

Identifying the problems you are realistically likely to face.

Maintaining the things you already own.

Adding reasonable capabilities where they make sense.

Learning useful skills.

And making sure that when normal systems temporarily fail, you and your family can remain as safe, healthy, informed, and comfortable as reasonably possible.

You do not need a bunker.

You do not need 10,000 rounds of ammunition.

You do not need to live in fear.

You need a plan that fits your actual life.

That is emergency preparedness.

07/07/2026

Emergency Preparedness Part VI: Fire Safety

I spent more than 20 years in the fire service, so this part of emergency preparedness is particularly important to me.

We have talked about generators, stored fuel, backup power, extension cords, batteries, cooking, heating, and ways to keep a household functioning when normal systems fail.

All of those things can help us during an emergency.

They can also introduce additional fire and carbon monoxide hazards if we do not use them safely.

So let’s start with the basics.

Do you have working smoke alarms?

Do you have working carbon monoxide alarms?

If your home uses propane or natural gas, have you considered appropriate gas detection equipment?

Are the alarms installed in the right locations? Are they within their service life? Does everyone in the home recognize what they sound like?

A detector sitting on a ceiling for 15 years is not automatically a working detector.

Now look at fire extinguishers.

Do you have them? Are they accessible? Are they maintained and within their service life?

And importantly:

Do you have the right extinguisher for the job?

Not all fires are the same, and not all extinguishers are designed for the same hazards. Ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, energized electrical equipment, cooking oils and other hazards may require different approaches and different extinguishing agents.

For many homes, a quality multipurpose ABC-rated extinguisher is a practical choice for general protection—but that does not mean one extinguisher is ideal for every possible fire.

A kitchen, garage, workshop, vehicle, or other special area may present different hazards.

Know what you have.

Know what it is rated for.

And know how to use it before you need it.

A simple way to remember basic portable fire extinguisher operation is PASS:

* P — Pull the pin
* A — Aim at the base of the fire
* S — Squeeze the handle
* S — Sweep from side to side

But perhaps more importantly, everyone should understand that a fire extinguisher is intended for a small, manageable fire with a safe means of escape available behind you.

Do not allow a fire to get between you and your exit.

Do not continue fighting a fire that is growing beyond your ability to control it.

And do not mistake owning an extinguisher for being equipped to fight a structure fire.

Modern residential fires can develop extraordinarily quickly, and conditions can become untenable in a matter of minutes.

Our homes contain significant fuel loads from furnishings, plastics, electronics, synthetic materials, and ordinary household contents. Modern construction can also create concealed spaces and structural concerns that are not obvious to the homeowner.

Early warning matters.

Early escape matters.

Closing doors matters.

And having a plan matters.

One of the simplest concepts I taught for years is EDITH: Exit Drills In The Home.

How does everyone get out?

Do children know what to do?

Do you have a meeting place outside?

Does anyone have mobility limitations?

Can everyone escape from bedrooms?

What happens if the normal exit is blocked?

Once outside, does everyone understand that they stay outside?

These are questions worth answering before there is smoke in the hallway at 2:00 in the morning.

Now connect this back to the earlier parts of the series.

If you are storing gasoline for a generator, where and how is it stored?

If you are using extension cords for emergency power, are they properly rated for the load and environment?

If you are operating a generator, is it outdoors and safely away from doors, windows, vents, and other openings?

Are portable heaters being used with adequate clearance from combustible materials?

Are candles creating an unnecessary hazard when battery-powered lighting is available?

Emergency conditions often change normal household routines. People improvise. They use unfamiliar equipment. They run cords through unusual places. They store extra fuel. They cook differently. They heat spaces differently.

That is exactly when fire safety becomes even more important.

I am also a strong believer in buying quality life-safety equipment. Your life is worth more than something inexpensive.

Smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, extension cords, fuel containers, and other safety equipment are not where I personally look to save the last few dollars.

Buy once, cry once.

Finally, consider protecting important documents in an appropriately rated fire-resistant safe or container. Insurance information, identification documents, property records, and other difficult-to-replace paperwork can become incredibly important after a disaster.

Fire safety is not complicated tactical nonsense.

It is early warning.

It is having the right equipment.

It is knowing how to use it.

It is recognizing when not to use it.

It is having a way out.

And it is making sure everyone in the home knows the plan before they need it.

07/06/2026

Emergency Preparedness Part V: The Generator

One of the most useful pieces of emergency equipment a household can have is some form of backup electrical power.

While that may sound like a substantial investment—and it absolutely can be—there are practical ways to establish emergency power on almost any budget.

At the most substantial end is a permanently installed home standby generator, often powered by propane or natural gas. These systems can be configured to start automatically when utility power fails and, when properly sized, may be capable of powering most or all of a home for an extended period—including major systems such as heating equipment, well pumps, central air conditioning, and other large appliances.

At the other end of the budget is a small portable inverter generator.

A modest unit, used safely and correctly, may be enough to keep essential loads operating with the simplicity of properly rated extension cords. Depending on the size of the unit, that might mean keeping a refrigerator and freezer cold, charging phones and battery packs, powering some lights, running communications equipment, or supporting other small essential devices.

For many households, the middle ground is a larger portable generator connected to selected household circuits through a professionally installed transfer switch or other approved generator connection.

Depending on the generator, the home, and the electrical loads involved, this type of setup may support a substantial portion of normal household life—lighting, refrigeration, heating systems, well pumps, outlets, internet equipment, and other essential circuits. Large loads such as central air conditioning, electric water heating, electric ranges, and clothes dryers require careful sizing and may not be practical on every portable setup.

This is where the earlier parts of this series become important.

In Part I, we asked:

Where does your water come from?

If your home relies on an electric well pump, losing power may also mean losing running water.

That changes the entire equation.

Yes, you can store water. Yes, you can carry buckets. Yes, you can pour water into a toilet to flush it.

But life becomes dramatically simpler if your backup power system can safely operate your well pump.

Now you may be able to flush toilets normally. Wash your hands. Shower. Keep clean. Prepare food. Maintain a much more normal household routine during an extended outage.

That is why emergency preparedness should begin with understanding your home—not buying equipment at random.

The “right” generator is not necessarily the biggest or most expensive one.

It is the one that fits:

• Your budget
• Your home
• Your fuel availability
• Your electrical system
• Your essential loads
• Your realistic needs

A generator also introduces serious hazards.

Carbon monoxide can kill. Portable generators must never be operated inside a home, garage, basement, shed, or other enclosed or partially enclosed space. They must be positioned outdoors and appropriately away from doors, windows, vents, and other openings, following manufacturer instructions and applicable safety guidance.

Fuel must be stored safely and legally.

Electrical connections must be appropriate for the equipment.

A generator should never be improperly connected to household wiring in a way that can backfeed utility lines and endanger utility workers, first responders, neighbors, or the homeowner.

Any connection to a home’s electrical system should be properly designed and professionally installed.

And just like the vehicle we discussed earlier, a generator is not particularly useful if it has been neglected for years and will not start when you need it. Maintenance, testing, fuel management, and familiarity with operation are part of owning one.

Finally, consider the cost in perspective.

A generator can represent a substantial upfront expense.

So can frozen pipes.

So can a flooded basement when a sump pump stops working.

So can hundreds or thousands of dollars in spoiled food.

So can losing heat during extreme cold.

So can relocating a family to a hotel for several days.

And beyond the monetary cost, there is value in being able to maintain heat, water, sanitation, refrigeration, communications, and a reasonable degree of normal life during an extended outage.

A properly selected, safely installed, and well-maintained backup power system is not about luxury.

For many households, it is one of the most practical investments in resilience they can make.

07/06/2026

Emergency Preparedness Part IV: Communications

In Parts I through III, we looked at where we live, what systems support our homes, who and what we need to care for, and how a maintained and fueled vehicle can become a valuable emergency resource.

Now we need to talk about communications.

Most of us carry an incredibly capable communications device every day:

Our phone.

But phones have limitations.

When the power goes out, your home Wi-Fi equipment will also lose power unless you have some form of backup. A relatively inexpensive battery backup, often called a UPS, can keep a modem, router, or other small network equipment operating for a period of time.

That can be extremely useful—but remember that your internet provider’s infrastructure may also have limited backup power. Your equipment can be working perfectly while the larger system feeding your home is not.

Cellular service has similar limitations. During major emergencies, towers may lose power, suffer damage, or simply become overwhelmed by increased demand.

This is why communications should be thought of in layers.

A small battery-powered or rechargeable radio can allow you to monitor local news and emergency information. I recommend having one that is separate from the radio in your vehicle so you are not forced to sit in or run a vehicle simply to receive information.

Weather radio capability is another useful option.

For those willing to learn a little more, a programmable two-way radio—such as the inexpensive Baofeng UV-5R—can provide additional capabilities. Depending on programming, location, licensing, and applicable laws, radios in this category may be useful for point-to-point communication and for monitoring certain repeaters, weather information, and other radio traffic.

A very important note: the ability of a radio to receive or transmit on a frequency does not automatically mean you are legally permitted to transmit on it. Know the applicable laws, licensing requirements, and limitations before using any programmable radio.

The goal is not to build a movie-style command center.

The goal is to maintain some ability to:

• Know what is happening beyond your home
• Receive emergency information
• Check on family, friends, and neighbors
• Coordinate needs and available resources
• Request help during an emergency

And this is where Parts I through III begin to connect.

You already identified who provides emergency services where you live.

You already looked at the needs of your household.

You already looked at your vehicle as a maintained, fueled, mobile resource.

If household power is unavailable, that same vehicle may provide a way to recharge phones, battery packs, radios, and other small communications equipment.

Preparedness is not about depending on one perfect system.

It is about understanding that systems can fail—and having practical, realistic alternatives when they do.

Because during an emergency, information is a resource.

And the ability to communicate can be just as important as the ability to receive information.

07/06/2026

Emergency Preparedness Part III: The Vehicle

In Parts I and II, we looked at where we live, the systems we depend on, and the people and needs inside our homes.

Now let’s look at one of the most useful emergency preparedness tools many of us already own:

A vehicle.

A modern vehicle is much more than transportation.

Many newer vehicles have built-in power outlets, USB ports, or inverters that can provide limited power. Within reason—and within the limits of the vehicle’s electrical system—that can turn a vehicle into a small mobile power source for charging phones, radios, battery packs, laptops, lights, and other appropriate devices.

A simple 12-volt powered cooler can also be extremely useful. Depending on the cooler and the vehicle’s capabilities, it may help keep a limited amount of food, drinks, medications, or other temperature-sensitive items cold during a power outage.

No, it is not a replacement for a full-size refrigerator or freezer. But keeping a small amount of milk, baby formula, essential food, drinks, or other important perishables cold can make a significant difference during a prolonged outage.

A vehicle with a full tank of fuel can also provide something incredibly important during extreme conditions:

A temporary place of refuge.

During extreme heat, an air-conditioned vehicle may provide a place to cool down.

During extreme cold, a heated vehicle may provide a place to warm up.

It can provide a place to charge communication devices, listen to emergency information, get out of the weather, or even take a short nap in a climate-controlled environment when conditions inside the home become uncomfortable or unsafe.

And, of course, it provides transportation if conditions require you to leave.

This is one reason I believe routine vehicle maintenance and fuel levels are part of emergency preparedness.

Is the vehicle reliable?

Is the maintenance current?

Are the tires in good condition?

Do you routinely keep a reasonable amount of fuel in the tank—or do you drive around on empty?

Does everyone in the household know what power outlets the vehicle has and what they can realistically support?

Do you own basic accessories—charging cables, a 12-volt adapter, perhaps a small inverter or powered cooler—that allow you to make practical use of those capabilities?

If you safely and legally store additional fuel, do you have appropriate approved containers and a plan to rotate that fuel rather than forgetting about it for years?

None of this requires a tactical vehicle, an expensive overland build, or a truck covered in survival equipment.

It requires looking at something you already own and understanding what it can realistically do for you.

One critical warning: never run a vehicle in a garage or other enclosed or partially enclosed space. Carbon monoxide can kill quickly, and opening a garage door does not automatically make the situation safe. Keep exhaust well away from doors, windows, vents, and occupied areas.

Your vehicle may already be one of the most versatile emergency preparedness tools you own.

Keep it maintained. Keep it fueled. Know its capabilities. And use it safely.

07/06/2026

Emergency Preparedness Part II: Taking Stock

In Part I, we figured out the basics of where we live.

Who do we expect to show up in an emergency? How do electricity, water, and data get into our home? Where does our wastewater and sewage go? What services do we depend on, and what happens when one or more of them stop working?

Now, we take a look at what is inside the home.

How many people are in your household?

Does anyone have special needs or considerations? Prescription medications? Medical conditions? Dietary restrictions or allergies? Mobility issues? Medical equipment that depends on electricity?

What is everyone’s general level of health and fitness?

Are there infants or children in the home? What ages? Are there older adults? Does anyone require assistance with everyday activities?

What activities and hobbies does your household support? What does a normal day actually look like? Who leaves for work or school? Who is usually home? Does anyone work nights? Does anyone regularly travel a significant distance from home?

Do you have pets? What do they need every day?

Now look at your transportation.

How many vehicles are available? Is routine maintenance up to date? Are the tires in good condition? Are the gas tanks usually full—or usually sitting near empty? Do you have a vehicle capable of carrying your entire household if you unexpectedly need to leave?

This is not busywork.

Taking stock of the people, needs, routines, and resources inside your home helps determine what you actually need to prepare.

How much food?

How much water?

What medications and medical supplies?

What backup power needs are truly important?

What transportation limitations exist?

The goal is to practically meet the FEMA recommendation of being prepared to shelter in place for at least 72 hours—not to turn your basement into a bunker or spend thousands of dollars on gear you may never use.

Preparedness should support real life.

The better you understand your household, the easier it becomes to store the right supplies, in the right amounts, for the people who actually live there—without fear, waste, or going overboard.

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Poughquag, NY
12570

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