Blog

By Jeff McCaddon – December 12, 2025

Medical emergencies happen quickly and unexpectedly. Accidents in the home, on the road, in the
workplace and during leisure activities can occur at any time. If the response time is prompt
enough for care to be rendered, then the outcome is good. If the response is too late, then the
result can be tragic. Cardiac and airway emergencies can lead to a swift death if those at the scene
do not render aid. Likewise, excessive bleeding can lead to death in a matter of minutes.
Is it wise to rely entirely on 911 and emergency medical services to care for you and your family
during a crisis?

Under normal conditions, most people do not have any alternatives available. They might have
taken a first aid class and have a store-bought first aid kit on hand. However, these classes and
kits may not be enough. Without adequate preparation, losing a loved one before help arrives
could be the result. This is especially true for those living in remote areas where emergency
response times are long.

Abnormal conditions can compound your plight during a medical emergency. A local or
generalized mass casualty event because of an earthquake, tsunami, fire, flood or other natural
disaster could lengthen response times to days or even weeks. This is especially true if roads are
affected, or medical services are overwhelmed. Man-made disasters like wars, civil wars, public
unrest or terrorist attacks can also compound your situation. Denial of service attacks on phone or
cellular systems could eliminate your ability to make a 911 call entirely.

We learned during the COVID-19 pandemic how vulnerable our supply lines are to unexpected
medical emergencies. Foreign manufacturers supplied most of our medical supplies, personal
protective equipment, and pharmaceutical medications. This led to the cost of medical gloves and
N95 masks to skyrocket as panicked people paid any amount asked for meager supplies on hand.
The situation today is little better. Medical tubing for oxygen and blood are still very expensive.
Although the USA now manufactures pharmaceutical medications, it still sources the precursor
chemicals outside of the United States.

We have been conditioned to rely on a system that may ultimately fail us. Ultimately, it is our own
responsibility to make adequate preparations to care for ourselves and our families. The following
recommendations will provide you and your loved ones with the ability to save lives, or not. In
the end, life and death decisions are in the realm of God. However, we can be instruments of God
if we choose to do so.

Emergency Medical Preparations
Best Book: The Survival Medicine Handbook: The Essential Guide for When Help is NOT on the
Way 4th Edition. Best for extended emergency preparation. Contains both conventional
pharmaceutical and natural medicine advice. Reasonably priced and thorough.
2nd Choice: Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured. This is the textbook for
professional EMT Level 1 candidates. The bible for emergency medical technicians regarding
ambulance or fire rescue medical assistance. Over a thousand pages of information geared toward
medical professionals with lots of expensive high-technology equipment and pharmaceutical
medications. This book is extremely expensive (over $100), thick and heavy.

Recommended Medical Supplies:
An advanced emergency medical bag will save you from improvising during a life and death
emergency. “First Aid Kits” commonly available in stores are fine for minor issues, but are
insufficient for a catastrophic injury. Band-aids and a roll of gauze will be of little use for a sliced
artery or traumatic amputation. You will want to have emergency medical bags available at home,
on the road, and at your worksite. Your medical bag is useless if it is not handy.
The least expensive way to purchase your medical gear is in bulk. Stock all of your emergency
medical bags at once to save substantially on overall costs.

If you want to be ready to assist at a traffic accident or mass casualty event, stock up on a bunch
of military field dressings (compress bandages). These are ready-made and quick to apply
bandages for large wounds common to a battlefield or any catastrophic event. Also, have lots of
roller gauze and absorbent pads handy to pack gaping wounds. Hemostats can clamp gushing
arteries; however, you might need to fish for the artery as it retracts into muscle when severed.
Note that a properly applied tourniquet hurts more than the wound. Amputation will most often
result if a vascular surgeon is not available to repair the veins and arteries.

You can find fully stocked EMT crash bags online. These are the quickest ways to start and will
give you and your family the basics. Unfortunately, not all the equipment from many
manufacturers are top of the line.

To meet the largest variety of emergency events, you will need the following equipment along
with a large bag with lots of easily accessed compartments to organize your gear:
Personal Protective Gear:
Protective Gloves / N95 Protective Masks
Cardiovascular:
CPR Mask – Infant, Child, Adult / Bag Valve Mask (BVM)

Airway:
CPR Mask- Infant, Child, Adult / Bag Valve Mask (BVM) /Oropharyngeal airway kit /
Nasopharyngeal airway kit / Pneumothorax decompression needle / Vented chest seals
Bleeding:
Trauma Shears & Bandage Scissors / Hemostats / Roller Gauze (Stretch & Cling) / Absorbent
Pads / Adhesive medical Tape/ Field Dressings- Either Swiss or Israeli / Tourniquets (CAT Gen 7)
/ Vented chest seals / Emergency wound closure strips / Assortment of self-adhesive bandages
Cervical Stabilization:
Extrication Collars / Adult and child sized
Shock:
Emergency Blankets / 10 liter 95% oxygen canisters
Diagnostic:
Aneroid Sphygmomanometer (Blood Pressure Cuff) / Stethoscope- Sprague-Rappaport / Pulse
Oximeter / Penlight & Rechargeable Headlight / Ophthalmoscope or otoscope with light / Tongue
Depressors, non-contact Thermometer

Poison Control:
Activated Charcoal / Snakebite & Sting kit
Sprains, Dislocations, Broken Bones:
Triangular Bandages / Tongue Depressors / Splints / Roller SAM Splints/ Aluminum Splints /
Roller Elastic Bandages & Clips / Cold & Heat packs
Burns:
Assortment of Burn Dressings for severe burns / Normal Saline Wash / Lidocaine or benzocaine
for pain
Eye Injuries:
First Aid Eye Kit (Eye wash, oval pads, adhesive tape)
Emergency Dental:
Emergency Dental Kit (Lost Fillings & Caps) / Ambesol or clove oil for pain

Diabetic Emergencies:
Glucose
Advanced Medical Gear: These are not necessarily covered by Good Samaritan legal protections
Field Surgical Kit
Assortment of Sutures
Medical Staple kits
Medical Oxygen- Need Medical Prescription
Leg and arm traction
IV drip- needs medical prescription

Road Emergency Extrication & Fire Gear:
Fire Extinguishers / Fire Blankets / Extrication Gloves (Cut and Fireproof) / Fire Resistant
Balaclava / Respirator and fireproof goggles / Nomex or Welding Jacket / Reflective high
visibility vest / Window Punch / Seat-belt Cutter / Multi-function demolition tool
Recommended Training::
YouTube has several very good free courses geared toward EMT candidates. Attend actual EMT
classes if possible.
Sources of emergency antibiotics online:
The following companies provide cases of prescription medications for aid workers, missionaries,
explorers, and visitors to regions where medical facilities and medications are not readily
available. Reasonably priced life-saving medications. I have done business with the following two
sources. Vacuum pack the medications with oxygen and moisture absorbents, and store them at
room temperature in a dry place. DO NOT REFRIGERATE.

• Jase Medical

• Contingency Medical

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Crescent City Times.com

By Brigette Gabriel, ACT for America – December 9, 2025

The momentum is unstoppable. First Texas, now Florida. Two of America’s strongest governors have just declared the Muslim Brotherhood and its slick American front group CAIR to be terrorist organizations within their borders. No more state contracts. No more access to government buildings. No more pretending these Hamas-linked radicals are just another “civil rights” outfit. Governor Greg Abbott lit the fuse, and yesterday Governor Ron DeSantis dropped the hammer in the Sunshine State by signing Executive Order 25-244. Governor DeSantis’ designation closely mirrors that of Texas. In a post following his decisive action, Florida’s governor stated, “Florida agencies are hereby directed to undertake all lawful measures to prevent unlawful activities by these organizations, including denying privileges or resources to anyone providing material support.”We at ACT for America could not be prouder. For years we’ve delivered the evidence to governors’ offices across the country. Texas listened. Florida listened. And now the rest of the nation must follow. .To Governor Ron DeSantis: thank you! Thank you for your pivotal, fearless action. Thank you for refusing to let terrorist sympathizers operate with impunity on Florida soil. Thank you for proving that leadership still matters and that one bold governor can protect an entire state from radical infiltration. Florida families, Jewish communities, law enforcement, and every freedom-loving citizen owe you a debt of gratitude. But two states are not enough. Forty-eight governors still have the power—and the duty—to do exactly what Texas and Florida just did. Tennessee, Georgia, Oklahoma, Arizona, Arkansas, South Dakota, Idaho, Alabama… the list is long, and the time is now. Every day we wait is another day CAIR grooms the next generation of radical activists right under our noses. This is not complicated. The evidence is overwhelming. The Muslim Brotherhood’s own documents call for “eliminating and destroying Western civilization from within.” CAIR was an unindicted co-conspirator in the largest terror-financing trial in U.S. history. Designating them costs nothing, requires no new laws, and sends an unmistakable message: Not in our state. We’ve already moved two governors. With your help, we’ll move more before the end of the year. For God, for country, and for the America our children deserve—act now. Go to: https://www.actforamerica.org/act-now/Be-Like-Texas-Designate-CAIR-MB-Terror-Orgs Fill out a letter to the other Governors.

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Crescent City Times.com

By Investigative Reporter, Linda Sutter – December 9, 2025

Today at the Board of Supervisors the Crescent City Harbor District placed an item on the county agenda for  approval of the Harbor facilities Plan. The Plan was merely a tossed word salad that spoke of Measure C tax funds with a list of maintenance tasks in hopes to demonstrate and talk the Supervisors into using the Measure C funds on everything but the USDA loan payment of $262,000.

CEO Rademaker, who is supposed to represent the Harbor District didn’t bother making an appearance in support of the Harbor Facility Plan that he himself developed. Chair Joey Borges commented that the plan looked like something AI created as it didn’t have specific projects listed but instead list of maintenance jobs without specific costs or dates to fulfill the projects.

Chair Joey Borges

Sandy Moreno tried to explain to the board the harbor has a plan to negotiate with USDA WHERE the harbor only pays down 10% of a $262,000 dollar loan payment, such as $26,000 per year for the next 3 years and take the rest of that Measure C money and set $90,000 aside in a reserve.

The problem with that is for the last 10 to 15 years the harbor has been setting aside $180 per month from approximately 26 fishermen for the last 10 years that was suppose to pay for the insurance of the harbor. That money disappeared and nowhere to be found. So, trying to sell the Board of Supervisors a $90,000 a year reserve plan is as worthless as the words developed to say it.

Ms. Moreno failed to unveil the numbers.

Sandy Moreno

The numbers are this:

Currently there is $276,000 in the LAIF account. $181,500 is earmarked for insurance. Which leaves a balance of $95,000 dollars to pay the USDA loan as well as operations for the remainder of the fiscal year. The County according to Moreno has approximately $370,000 of Measure C funds.  Even if the County wrote out a check for $262,000 dollars to the USDA, that would leave a balance of $108,000 plus the $95,000 left in LAIF, for a total of $203,000 it would not be enough to pay the $350,000 to $375,000 dollars due to the Fashion Blacksmith in January.  The $203,000 would probably pay for operations for the remainder of the fiscal year. These numbers are not showing any potential revenue which the harbor receives from the businesses and 28 RV permanent campers. It is possible for the Harbor to make it on what they have but increasing pay for everyone these past months did not make nice with their dire financial situation.

Actually, former City Councilwoman, Donna Westfall called out during her public comment how ludicrous the Harbor was in giving raises. A raise of $20,000 to Harbor Master, Radamaker; increasing the hourly wage for Sandy Moreno from $50 to $75 and then increasing wages to all other Harbor employees. Additionally, she mentioned that her CPRA request from November 12, 2025 to the Harbor concerning the LAIF account was never responded to. (LAIF stands for Local Agency Investment Fund). A year ago they had a fund balance of over $800,000. This year it’s down to around $200,000. She wanted to know what $600,000 was spent on.

Former Crescent City Councilwoman, Donna Westfall

After Moreno’s presentation Supervisor Starkey stated, this is a dangerous shell game you got going on here. If you pay your loan of $262,000 that leaves you with $31,000 and you can’t draw down on $31,000 because you need $50,000 at all times as a balance.  Starkey goes on to say, “My concerns are you don’t have an agreement with USDA yet, You have had a conversation, you need to pay  your loan.” Moreno stated, “We are on the brink of insolvency, I have been saying it for years. However, we have a plan if certain people will help us with this.” Starkey responded, “We have an  obligation to the people of this county to assure the taxpayers that you pay your loan.”

Harbor Commissioner Rick Shepherd stated “I was one of the forefathers who campaigned in 2017 for Measure C to save the harbor. We are putting forth a plan today that is making that possible.  So with the plan you have today we are asking to help save the harbor. we are asking to pass the harbor facilities plan which has nothing to do with Measure C, or our negotiation with USDA.

Harbor Commissioner, Rick Sherpard

Public member Roberts stated he was on the Measure C Committee and the intent of this was to pay off the USDA LOAN. And, that would free up $250,000 to conduct their maintenance projects which obviously has not been accomplished.

Roberts from Measure C Committee

Harbor Chair Gerhard Weber also spoke at the podium, “all I am asking you to do is vote for the harbor facilities plan. You voting on this plan does not approve of any reductions that we make to the USDA. What we are asking for is that we would like to pay USDA first but we are only asking USDA to accept 10% as full payment for this one year two or three years so we can use the funds for maintenance that we are already doing.   We are trying to free up funds so we can utilize  Measure C funds for grant funds. If you have cash flow problems that is going to be an issue. By reducing the USDA LOAN for 3 years this will give us a cushion to make the grants work. During public comment Weber also stated, “We need this harbor facility plan approved and also did not understand the implications of Measure C.”

 Gerhard Weber, Harbor Chairman

Supervisor and Chair Joey Borges told Weber the second paragraph of the Harbor Facility Plan stated, “The purpose of the Harbor Facility Plan was to pay the USDA LOAN first with Measure C funds and utilize anything left over a required $50,000 balance could be utilized for maintenance projects. “

Public Member Hank Akin stated the following, “ I think the board is well founded in your concerns and more grounded than you know. USDA isn’t gonna play there are emails out there where they have failed communication and the harbor is not admitting to that. Measure C was to make a payment. The decision not to make the payment was not by board action it was by an employee not to make it. It came to the board after the fact. The plan should have been to come to this board directly. Now by not paying the loan a $500 dollar penalty for noncompliance is daily compounded and extended beyond Measure C. The people voted for measure C to save the harbor back then they didn’t vote to make bad decisions and to pay for those bad decisions. If I had 30 minutes of time to discuss this matter like Moreno had I could blow this out of the water. The take away is four years of experience dealing with bankruptcy is a real talent expressed earlier by Moreno. It is telling.”

Hank Akin

The Harbor Facility Plan also stated within it’s contents that the Measure C funds could be utilized for matching grant funds, however, the ballot of Measure C does not speak to that whatsoever. The Measure C funds are explicit, pay the USDA loan first.

Several members of the public spoke out in regards to this very important decision that the Harbor Commissioners were asking the board to do. Sam Strait got up and stated, I’m confused. Why are we talking about Measure C funds and not the harbor facility plan.

Sam Strait

Harbor Commissioner Nehmer spoke, “ I appreciate you notice there are specific timelines, no cost associated with the plan and that there are harbors up and down the coast that have harbor facility plans. All those details of specific projects and itemization of maintenance are required. Although this was presented at one meeting for us I believe it needs to become a workshop and needs to be presented back as county counsel has mentioned. Represented with timelines and assessments to create actual projects to serve as a harbor facility plan to serve taxpayers  and pay our USDA  loan in full.”

Harbor Commissioner, Annie Nehmer

 No Action was taken, The Harbor District will need to take time to develop a harbor facilities plan.