Earth, Wind, and Gunfire

A Guide to Self-Reliance, Survival Awareness, and Emergency Preparedness

Pulling from thirty-five years of crisis response management and investigative experience with the FBI special operations teams, the US Marshals Service, and now the Washoe County Search and Rescue Team (WCSAR), retired Special Agent Wayne Kauffmann delivers the ultimate guide for individuals, families, and organizations seeking to improve their crisis preparedness in our increasingly unpredictable world. Earth, Wind, and Gunfire offers real-world insights and practical strategies for staying safe during high-risk incidents. Readers will learn critical skills for recognizing potential threats, developing a survival mindset, and responding effectively under pressure. Combining real examples from high-stakes scenarios with clear, actionable steps, Kauffmann explains the concepts of situational awareness, crisis response, and survival techniques in violent and dangerous events both man-made and nature-made . . . from gunfire to wildfire. This book is a comprehensive resource, educating readers to confidently navigate a crisis whether in a workplace, a public venue, their own community, or even in the face of a natural disaster. Earth, Wind, and Gunfire is an essential tool that provides people with the mental preparation, awareness skills, and response strategies needed to protect themselves and others when the unthinkable happens—because the best time to prepare for any critical danger is long before the event occurs.

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ISBN: 979-8-90026-263-5
Imprint: Amplify Publishing
Categories:Amplify Publishing, Self-Help, Professional and Technical
“Kauffmann’s book, Earth, Wind, and Gunfire, is on the money and timely. Having worked together as teammates and tactical instructors for many years, I can attest that his expertise in the crisis response arena is top tier.” —Jim Somerville, FBI supervisory special agent, special operations group (ret.)
“Threats abound, though most of us go through life blissfully unaware of that truth. The body cannot go where the mind has not already been. This book is an essential read for the tests and trials we all pray will never come.” —Harry Samit, FBI special agent, counterterrorism specialist (ret.), and author of The Zacarias Moussaoui Matter: The Arrest and Trial of a 9/11 Al Qaeda Operative
“Earth, Wind, and Gunfire provides crucial guidance and a reassuring compass for navigating and surviving life-threatening encounters.” —Ron Rosa, firearms, use of force, and defensive tactics instructor (ret.), Reno Police Department
“Earth, Wind, and Gunfire is not just another doomsday fantasy. It delivers powerful messages anyone could benefit from. The situational awareness, early recognition, and decisive action lessons in this book are the same principles that kept me and my crews alive through decades of structural fires, wildfires, and other life-threatening emergencies. Kauffmann combines hard facts with poignant and compelling, real-world examples. For anyone who wants to better prepare for the unthinkable, this book is an important resource.” —Mike Schwartz, North Lake Tahoe fire chief (ret.)
“Earth, Wind, and Gunfire offers a powerful way to change the narrative and potentially the outcome of violent encounters. Whether dealing with natural disasters or man-made threats, the concepts and principles in this book provide practical tools that extend well beyond critical encounters—they apply equally to everyday life and the business world. Recognizing risks, identifying vulnerabilities, and understanding what is developing around you are principles that apply to both business and life. Preparation creates options, awareness creates time, and the ability to adapt when conditions change unexpectedly can make the difference between simply reacting to adversity and being prepared for it. Kauffmann’s book provides a practical framework for doing exactly that.” —Alan Feld, founder, Field Van, Inc, and business entrepreneur

Wayne Kauffmann

Law Enforcement Leader and President of SAGE Security Consulting

Wayne Kauffmann is the president of SAGE Security Consulting (Situational Awareness for Global Encounters), providing services in physical security assessments, executive protection, firearms and self-defense training, and security consulting for clients operating in high-risk environments.

Kauffmann previously served in law enforcement with the US Marshals Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where he worked fugitives, violent crime, and counterterrorism investigations and held leadership positions on the FBI’s special operations teams.

His work today is focused on training individuals and organizations to develop the awareness, preparation, and mindset needed to navigate both man-made and natural threats and critical incidents. He has served as a member of the Washoe County Search and Rescue Team since 2020. He is based in Reno, Nevada.

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