Thom Rigsby on Decentralize TV: Why personal and community preparedness is NECESSARY in the modern world

By kevinhughes // 2025-02-25

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Recent crises like the Texas winter storm and the CrowdStrike IT outage highlight the fragility of centralized systems, and the risks associated with just-in-time delivery, underscoring the need for personal and community preparedness.
Thom Rigsby, founder of American Contingency (AmCon) emphasizes that preparedness involves developing a mindset of self-reliance, informed by his personal experiences of growing up on a farm and serving in the military, as well as a significant 11-day power outage.
AmCon provides a structured approach divided into 12 categories, such as food and water, income, health and communications, advocating for a PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) plan to ensure resilience in various scenarios.
The organization fosters a nationwide network of members who can support each other in crises, with local chapters providing immediate assistance, exemplified by a rapid response to a member in distress after hitting a deer.
AmCon addresses the normalcy bias through training and practical skills, while leveraging technology with an app that offers checklists, training and daily situational reports, emphasizing the importance of satellite phones and ham radios in communication.

In an era where the reliability of centralized systems is increasingly questionable, the importance of personal and community preparedness cannot be overstated. From the cascading power outages during the Texas winter storm to the widespread disruption caused by the CrowdStrike IT crisis, it is evident that people's reliance on just-in-time delivery and centralized infrastructure is a double-edged sword. American Contingency (AmCon) founder Thom Rigsby joined the Health Ranger Mike Adams and Todd Pitner on "Decentralize TV" to touch on the issue. He delved into the stories of individuals and communities who have found themselves in dire situations due to system failure. In the same manner, he shared how organizations like AmCon are stepping in to provide the knowledge, resources and network needed to navigate these uncertain times. Personal preparedness is not just about stockpiling supplies; it's about building a mindset of self-reliance. Rigsby emphasized the importance of a balanced approach to preparedness. According to the executive director of AmCon, he had learned the value of preparedness and self-sufficiency by growing up on a farm and serving in the army. His personal experience with an 11-day power outage in North Alabama underscored the need to codify and share the lessons of preparedness. "When you don't have power for 11 days, you realize how much you take for granted," Rigsby told the two hosts. He added that AmCon's goal is to help people move from a state of anxiousness to a state of confidence. The impetus for change often comes from personal experience, with Pitner recounted his own journey into preparedness after a four-day power outage in Florida. This led him to begin his contingency plans starting with a whole-house generator on propane. Adams meanwhile highlighted the reliability issues of the modern power grid. The Health Ranger pointed out that the grid is overburdened and not equipped to handle the demand, especially with the influx of electric vehicles. He cited what happened in Texas where the grid wasn't winterized, and people were left without power for days.

Multi-faceted approach to preparedness

AmCon divides preparedness into 12 categories – including food and water, income and economics, health and medical, and communications. Each category is crucial, and the organization provides a structured approach to help individuals and communities prepare. Rigsby emphasized the importance of a PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency) plan for each category, stressing stressed the need for a primary plan as well as alternatives if that plan fails during a crisis. But while personal preparedness is vital, the strength of a community can make all the difference. AmCon fosters a nationwide network of members who support each other in times of need. (Related: Community preparedness: Building networks for support and resources.) According to the preparedness expert, AmCon has members in all 50 states and when a crisis hits, they can rely on each other. He cited as an example a member in Mississippi who was stranded after hitting a deer. Within 30 minutes three local members were there to help. The organization also encourages local chapters, which provide a more immediate support system. Rigsby stressed that community support is essential, and their local chapters can provide immediate assistance. Rigsby noted that people don't think about the need to prepare until something happens to them. He stressed the need to train people to recognize the signs and take action before it's too late. Pitner echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the need for practical skills. In the digital age, technology plays a crucial role in preparedness. AmCon offers an app for both iPhone and Android, providing members with checklists, training and a daily situational report. The use of satellite phones and ham radios is also emphasized. In an increasingly unpredictable world, the need for personal and community preparedness has never been more crucial.Organizations like American Contingency are providing the tools, knowledge, and network to help individuals and communities become more resilient. By embracing a mindset of self-reliance and community support, people can navigate the uncertain times ahead with confidence and resilience. Watch the full interview between Thom Rigsby, Todd Pitner and the Health Ranger Mike Adams on "Decentralize TV" below. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

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Multi-faceted approach to preparedness

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