Former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has urged Americans to begin stockpiling essential supplies, warning that households should prepare for a potential large-scale emergency that could disrupt access to food, water and other necessities.
Bongino, who left the bureau in January, issued the appeal on Monday, telling people to act quickly and consider the needs of their families.
“Get your stuff today. Please. Do it for your family,” he said.
The former FBI official, Secret Service agent and police officer said the US military was preparing for scenarios in which civilian infrastructure could fail, arguing that households should also take steps to remain self-sufficient.
He added that people should not expect neighbours to have surplus food available during a widespread emergency.
Pentagon’s FORTRESS Plan Targets 90 Days of Military Self-Sufficiency
Bongino’s warning came hours after details emerged of FORTRESS, a Pentagon plan designed to keep US military forces operating and supplied for at least 90 days if civilian infrastructure becomes unavailable.
The plan is intended to ensure that major military installations across the continental United States can maintain essential operations during prolonged disruptions.
It calls for bases to have independent access to electricity, water, fuel and communications, reducing their reliance on public infrastructure.
Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell told Fox News that the military did not want national defence operations to depend on standard civilian municipal infrastructure.
Military Plan Includes Independent Power and Backup Supplies
Under FORTRESS, military installations would be equipped with systems intended to maintain electricity and other essential services during blackouts.
The measures include portable nuclear reactors, large battery systems and independent local power grids.
The plan also calls for stockpiles of ammunition, fuel, critical minerals, electronics, spare parts and medical supplies to support military operations during an extended emergency.
Civilian factories would be prepared to switch to defence production when required, helping maintain the supply of essential equipment.
The plan further requires at least two qualified suppliers or production options for critical military needs, reducing the risk that the loss of a single supplier could interrupt operations.
Bongino Recommends Emergency Radios, Water Filters and Food
During his podcast, Bongino outlined several items he believes households should have available in case normal services are disrupted.
He recommended emergency radios, batteries, emergency food, rainwater collection equipment, water filtration systems and water-purification tablets.
Bongino said preparation was necessary because panic could make an emergency more difficult to manage.
“Panic kills,” he said, urging listeners to prepare for a worst-case scenario rather than wait until a crisis occurs.
His recommendations focused on supplies that could help households maintain access to information, food and safe drinking water if essential services became unavailable.
European Governments Issue Household Preparedness Warnings
Bongino’s appeal comes as several European governments have encouraged residents to keep emergency supplies at home.
The United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and France have issued guidance urging households to prepare to manage independently for at least three days during a major disruption.
The recommendations include storing food, drinking water and medicines.
Possible scenarios cited in the guidance include severe weather, cyberattacks, electricity outages and armed conflict.
The alerts have not identified one specific emergency as the reason for the preparedness advice.
Pentagon Seeks to Protect National Defence From Civilian Infrastructure Failures
FORTRESS is intended to protect military readiness if electricity networks, water systems, communications or other civilian services become unavailable.
By maintaining independent infrastructure and securing alternative supply chains, the Pentagon aims to ensure that major military bases can continue essential operations for 90 days.
Bongino has urged American households to adopt a similar approach at home by maintaining basic emergency supplies for their families.
