In a 1908 speech, Eugene V. Debs stated: “Now my friends, I am opposed to the system of society in which we live today, not because I lack the natural equipment to do for myself but because I am not satisfied to make myself comfortable knowing that there are thousands of my fellow men who suffer for the barest necessities of life. We were taught under the old ethic that man’s business on this earth was to look out for himself. That was the ethic of the jungle; the ethic of the wild beast. Take care of yourself, no matter what may become of your fellow man. Thousands of years ago the question was asked; ‘’Am I my brother’s keeper?’’ That question has never yet been answered in a way that is satisfactory to civilized society.  Yes, I am my brother’s keeper. I am under a moral obligation to him that is inspired, not by any maudlin sentimentality but by the higher duty I owe myself. What would you think me if I were capable of seating myself at a table and gorging myself with food and saw about me the children of my fellow beings starving to death.”

While Debs is a controversial figure in history, we must look at his statement regarding community involvement as the guide as we look at disaster preparedness, mitigation and recovery.

It is with this sentiment that we present to you just a small portion of Chasing4Life; our National Chasing4Life StormTrackers.

It was just a few years ago that an internet-based community of independent Christian artists on a website called PizzaNSoda.com successfully tracked the hurricanes of 2004 as they encroached on America’s coastlines, tracking the storms hourly as well as tracking friends, relatives and members of the site. During this tracking activity, preparedness materials and guides were distributed ahead of the storms to communities churches and individual families.

Not to have it all end with the hurricane season, the staff of Chasing4Life went to work creating a tracking program nationwide that could support churches, businesses, communities, families and individuals.  That program has been successfully operationg with the help of dozens of volunteers ever since.  With a focus on rural communities, this effort is now being utilized to support stormchasers, storm spotters, law enforcement and communities by adding an element of knowledge and involvement as people around the country are taking ownership in their own safety. 

For more information about this program or similiar programs, please contact our This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it