Are You Ready? Author Interview with Cindy Hyde

Interview by Maria Pina Folsom 

What inspired and motivated you to write this book?

To use one word: Fear. Fear of the unexpected emergency that we might face. We all face them during our lives. Disasters strike anywhere, anytime, and to anyone. No one is immune to them. Being prepared was heavy on my heart during COVID-19. I wanted to make sure we had what we needed (And YES to the toilet paper!) to make sure we were better prepared for emergency situations, like lockdowns, food shortages, loss of electricity, inclement weather, etc. I started researching how to prepare for disasters and emergencies on website like FEMA, Red Cross, and others. I started compiling a list for my family's needs. Then I was motivated to compile my lists and add to them when I realized the checklists were a great way to help others be prepared too. 

How do you feel about the book and what message do you hope the readers will learn from it?

I love this book! I enjoyed compiling the lists. I love lists! I make them for everything. My family teases me about them. "Oh, mom and her lists!" they say. My friends say, "Even Cindy's lists have lists!" Writing this book was not easy but it was important to me. I use the lists to prepare my home, vehicle, bug-out-bag, get-home-bag, first aid kit (a basic kit, and a military medic kit for severe emergencies like gunshot wounds, wounds that need stitches, etc. Let me say not everyone needs that kind of kit but if you were a Paramedic like I was you want to be prepared for serious health emergencies as much as possible. I also wanted to make sure our important documents were protected and that we could grab and go if we needed to. 
     I hope my readers learn that they need to be prepared for emergencies, why they need to be prepared., and most especially how to prepare. I also hope they will use the comprehensive checklists that I compiled for them to prepare personalized kits, bags, documents, pets, special needs loved ones, the elderly, the baby, and so much more. I hope they learn to create plans. Communication plans, evacuation plans, and plans for connecting after a disaster, etc. My desire is that each reader prepare their homes, vehicles, and offices.  

How will this book impact your reader's lives and how is it going to help them? 

Being prepared gives me peace of mind and a sense of security that can only come when you know you are prepared. Food preservation is an area I started working on so we could have precooked meals, ready to heat and eat. This was one way I could prepare for food shortages. Pressure canning is not for everyone. But food prepping is. If you use the lists in the book, you will be able to create food security for your family. But it's about so much more than just food. It's about water, having enough of your medications, enough gas in your vehicle, and the plans you personally need to be secure. 

What qualifies you to write this book about emergency preparedness?

I am qualified to write about emergency preparedness because we have all lived through them. I have earned degrees in information technology, visual communication, communication and adult education and training from the University of Phoenix. I have extensive experience in teaching and training adults, creating curriculum, and so much more. The fact that I have extensively researched this topic also qualified because my husband, Michael and I have been preppers since 2015.

     A prepper is a person who prepares for emergencies, disasters, and other survival situations. Normal people from all walks of life who understand the need to plan ahead to prevent hardship. They stockpile supplies, learn skills, and reduce their dependency on infrastructure. Preppers try to anticipate and actively prepare for a probable or inevitable event that could threaten their survival or even civilization as we know it.

Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences with us.

Your book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to be ready for any emergency or disaster. You have shown us how to prepare ourselves, our families, and our communities with practical and comprehensive checklists, plans, and tips. You have also inspired us with your passion and dedication to helping others. We appreciate your time and wish you all the best with your book and your future endeavors.

Author Bio

Cindy Hyde is an esteemed writer, publisher, and educator with a deep-seated passion for helping individuals and families prepare for emergencies. Her academic journey at the University of Phoenix has equipped her with degrees in education, communication, information technology, and visual communication, which she skillfully applies to her writing and self-publishing endeavors. Her book, “Are You Ready? Disasters Happen When You Least Expect It. Get Ready! An Emergency Preparation Checklist,” is a testament to her expertise, offering guidance and comprehensive checklists for every type of disaster. Cindy is an avid prepper and teaches other about food preservation and stocking a pantry, as well as developing plans. Cindy’s life in Nacogdoches, the oldest town in Texas, is shared with her husband, Michael, who provides unwavering support, and their very spoiled four-legged furbaby Paris.