How to Gather Local Intelligence

This article is an edited excerpt from my upcoming book Household Preparedness Training: Domestic Protocols For Crises And Emergencies, exclusively for The Organic Prepper readers. 

Due January 17, 2025, the book is a compilation of protocols, procedures, and ideas, complemented by a series of grid-down exercises to prepare individuals and families for safer and more comfortable homestays during emergencies and long-lasting crises. 

The concept and method are based on the lifestyle of middle and low-class families from developing countries during the tough 1970s and 80s, a period of profound social and cultural changes, economic and geopolitical volatility, social unrest, and shocks in the market, energy, and other sectors. 

Those growing at that time may recall the constant shortages and rationings, the instability and disruptions in utilities and services, the strikes, protests, widespread unrest, and insecurity. Depending on where you lived, things could be bad, worse, or horrible; but it was precarious everywhere because the crisis was global. 

I’m not saying life wasn’t hell – far from it. It was more austere and volatile, but there was a unique energy, a cultural and social effervescence, lots of good things. Every epoch has good and bad things happening. It’s always like that. Anyway, that was the last time the world had so much turmoil for so long on so many fronts. Civilization has come a long way since.

I believe we’re now headed again to a context of significant structural changes.

That’s not a prediction, just a prognostic based on signs, trends, and parallels I see between then and now. History shows these things are cyclical: humans don’t change in essence and nature. So even though we’re living at the pinnacle of civilization (materially speaking), the world, and especially the West, is already in a crisis. 

However, I’m talking about something more serious, impacting more significant parts of the system and, thus, the population. Whatever happens, it’s clear volatility and instability will increase in the years or even decades ahead.

The wisdom of past generations must not be forgotten.

It’s critical in moments like this.

I’m not saying we should go back to the past or live like the old-timers. That’s nonsense. We take what has worked for centuries and adapt to our times and lifestyle, to our conditions.

When you know how to thrive without material abundance and the comforts and conveniences modern society takes for granted, you adapt and develop resilience. You’re never scared or in a panic.

Few understand what an advantage those who have experienced prolonged periods of extreme hardship and austerity have. When you know how to thrive without abundance, without the comforts and conveniences modern society takes for granted, you develop a certain kind of resilience. You’re never scared or in a panic. That’s why training for these situations is so necessary in today’s world. 

The first exercise I propose in the book is building practical intel on the systems that keep everything running in your city and locality.

How can intel gathering help? 

For 99% of us, prepping is a short blanket. It’s impractical or downright impossible to cover everything that can go wrong, and modern lifestyles make this even more problematic. 

Thankfully, not everything that can go wrong does, so keeping track of trends and developments allows us to focus on more probable events and developments. 

Being minimally knowledgeable about the workings, status, and interconnectedness of the local networks and systems that keep things running in our city, district, and neighborhood can help us stay ahead and in better condition when something happens.

First, we can detect the signs of an impending crisis sooner and make a more educated guess of its developments and duration. With that, we can prepare better by directing efforts and resources accordingly. Finally, with information, we increase our chances of escaping a predicament sooner. 

EXERCISE 1 – BUILDING LOCAL KNOWLEDGE BASE

Begin by surveying and collecting data about your area and its supporting systems: power, water, communications, and sanitation. Do it slowly but consistently, and you’ll quickly build a decent knowledge base. 

Research can be done from home, over the internet, and mostly for free. However, that will depend on the existing (or available) database. I like to complement and check the collected information with field research as much as possible. Some stuff can only be verified in loco. I propose that in my Street Survivalism Training Book, though with a different goal, so if you or anyone in your house or community have the means, make your list and go out there to explore. 

It’s up to you how comprehensive and detailed this database should be and how deep the level and extension of the information necessary. Just keep collecting until you’re satisfied. That may depend on your context and personal requirements. 

Also, each place is different in terms of infrastructure, regulations, operating companies, and so on. Infrastructure changes slowly in most areas and significant changes are rare. So, once a base gets built, you’ll have a broader perspective of things; from there, it’s just a matter of keeping up with changes over time. 

Here are a few points worth considering: 

• What’s the energy matrix of your state, city, and area/district? Is it nuclear, hydro, coal, or diesel? How’s the mix (proportion of each)? Is there any detectable vulnerability in the sub-stations and distribution lines? Where is the electricity generated? How many power sources and types supply the power to your city? How’s the grid interconnected? Where are the transformation station and distribution network providing energy to your district?
• If you live in a building or condo, get informed about backup systems and their condition. Are there any power generators? What are their capacities, and what systems do they supply if power goes out? Does something go to the units, or there’s just enough for collective stuff (elevators, water pumps, emergency lights, etc.)? 
• Get to know the water deposit capacity as well; with that information, it’s possible to calculate roughly how long the water will last in case of interruptions in supply. Stay on top of maintenance schedules.
• Generally, utilities and service systems (power, water, communications) comprise large-to-small, distant-to-local, generation-to-transformation-to-distribution network systems. The closer to generation and transformation, the more resilient (or less susceptible) it will be, and vice-versa. That’s why some areas will stay in the dark or without water and cell phones, and others won’t. So try to develop a general scheme for your supply system, but focus on the ‘local’ aspects because that will tell in which ways or how much your household can get impacted.
• Cabling network: Are cables and transformers buried or aerial? The wind, falling trees, and other wind-trashed debris can easily knock off the poles and aerial cables. Live wires can cause shocks and fires, too. Underground systems tend to be more resilient and less hazardous, though they may still be affected by floods and susceptible to lightning strikes, vandalism, EMPs, or cyberattacks.
• The same goes for communication cables (phone and internet). 
• Get to know the location of cell repeaters and other installations in your area. Find the system mainframe’s building; these tend to be located at elevated grounds for a reason, but it’s good to know how protected and prepared these facilities are to withstand weather and other attacks. Antennas follow different criteria and are more complex (numerous) to map out. They’re usually installed on top of buildings. Some have backup generators, others don’t. During or right after an emergency, the ones working will get overwhelmed. That’s why it’s good to know the providers’ shops and stations; you may be able to drive or walk there and try to get support in person. 
• When you see a maintenance team performing in your area, casually inquire about the system. They may be busy, but there’s always a supervisor just overlooking the work, and they may be more receptive. Every time I move into a different area, I ask them about the transformers because these are very specific, so one side of the street may have power, and the other end up in the dark after a storm. You may not be able to do much about that directly, but I’ve had “our” side of the street fixed days earlier just by being able to identify and pinpoint the damaged transformer when filing the complaint. 
• Do the same with water and sewage systems. Where are the reservoirs responsible for the water supply in your city? Do they supply just one or more towns? How far are the treatment stations? What is the age and condition of the piping? And so on. 
• Get a flood map from the weather authority or city database (or make your own). Weather patterns are constantly changing, but geography is not. If you live in an area susceptible to floods, be prepared for everything. You may be able to counter it somehow, but consider the possibility of relocating (if forewarned) or bugging out if necessary. 
• Locate the nearest police station and fire brigades, civil defense, hospitals, banks, and other important places, such as mechanics, specialty shops, churches and missions, diplomatic buildings, etc. Pay special attention to prisons, chemical facilities, and other critical structures. Expand the radius as necessary. Those things are good to know about your workplace, too. 
• Make a list of the authorities and providers in charge/tending for your district or neighborhood, writing down the addresses and contacts (phone, email, website, etc.). If possible, visit them and see how things are run, such as the staff, installations, etc. It doesn’t have to be too complicated or time-consuming, but enough to build a directory. You can learn much more just by chatting with people and making acquaintances. 
• Also, on safety, check for existing initiatives by civil societies, such as neighborhood watches and other community support groups. If you don’t want or cannot participate, maybe someone from your household can. Or, at the very least, try to attend the most significant events and meetings. These are great for staying updated, gathering critical information, and getting real-time warnings.
• Do a quick research on the history of significant events with associated natural and human causes in your area, ranging from past decades to more recent times. For instance, I know the history of the energy distributor in my city, keeping track of investments and upgrades (or lack thereof) since it was privatized decades ago. I’m aware the power grid has deteriorated since distribution changed concessionaires in 1998, so much so that issues have popped up recently. The same operator has been building a terrible record in other countries for years, too. It will probably start giving trouble here as storms and heat waves come or if the grid gets pushed to its limit for some reason. 
• Research the history of natural events, tornadoes, and other occurrences in your street and neighborhood. Check what’s been done by the public power or providers through that period, if any. 

Final words

A solid, slow-burning crisis preparation plan demands comprehensive information on the systems that keep everything going and supply our day-to-day needs, the plethora of services and utilities city residents take for granted. 

Cities are complex infrastructures, and almost everything comes from distant places. Most don’t give any of that a second thought, nor care about it. Until something fails, everyone notices, and panic ensues. Those who have some knowledge of this critical chain can, at the very least, assess the extent of the impact on their routines when there’s a disruption, maybe even come up with an educated guess on the time it will take for things to return to normal, or perhaps get support to come their way faster.

If you’re even reasonably informed about these things, congratulations: you’re in the minority of city residents. If you have never thought about that,  this is the perfect time to start working and gathering that kind of intel.

What about you?

How do you gather local intelligence? Do you have any good sources? Are there any important pieces of information you have acquired that could make things easier in an emergency?

Let’s discuss it in the comments section.

About Fabian

Fabian Ommar is a 50-year-old middle-class worker living in São Paulo, Brazil. Far from being the super-tactical or highly trained military survivor type, he is the average joe who since his youth has been involved with self-reliance and outdoor activities and the practical side of balancing life between a big city and rural/wilderness settings. Since the 2008 world economic crisis, he has been training and helping others in his area to become better prepared for the “constant, slow-burning SHTF” of living in a 3rd world country.

Fabian’s ebook, Street Survivalism: A Practical Training Guide To Life In The City , is a practical training method for common city dwellers based on the lifestyle of the homeless (real-life survivors) to be more psychologically, mentally, and physically prepared to deal with the harsh reality of the streets during normal or difficult times. He’s also the author of The Ultimate Survival Gear Handbook.

You can follow Fabian on Instagram @stoicsurvivor