Everybody needs a GO-bag
© 2021 VLES designs. All Rights Reserved.
Our Story
Timeline
This is Me
Today
My name is Karina Warshaw. I’m a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend and lover of community.
The Bedford Fire Department
1999
In 1999 I answered the call of our local volunteer fire department and signed up. Many hours of training later, I became a firefighter and EMT.
Firefighter/EMT
2000
As a firefighter I worked with the other members of our team to fight fires, attend to motor vehicle accidents, help with flooding incidents, etc. As an EMT, I was called upon in multiple situations involving people’s health. Calls came 24/7 and were answered every time.
9/11
2001
Things changed for everyone on 9/11. As a firefighter/EMT I now had to think about terrorism response. As a mom, I now had to think about how I was going to keep my own family safe.
Stuart joined the BFD
2003
A number of years after I joined the fire department, Stuart joined. He became a trained firefighter and, together, we responded to calls.
American Red Cross CPR Instructor
2004
I became an ARC CPR instructor and trained hundreds of emergency responder volunteers and community members.
Hurricane Katrina
2005
As with most of the country, we were glued to our tv, watching in horror as Hurricane Katrina ravaged southern states, leaving people homeless and worse.
NYC Living
2009
Stuart and I moved back to NYC after having lived and raised our children in Westchester County, an hour north of NYC.
CERT
2009
I became a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) member in NYC. We were trained by the FDNY, the NYPD, OEM and FEMA instructors. One of the things they emphasized was having a GO-bag so each individual could help themselves, their families, friends and neighbors during emergency events.
Hurricane Irene
2011
We were directly involved in Hurricane Irene in 2011 which affected mostly Vermont.
Hurricane Sandy
2012
In 2012 Hurricane Sandy struck NYC where we were directly affected along with our business and our employees. It was during Hurricanes Sandy and Irene that the importance of having a GO-bag became even more clear.
The VLES GO-bag
2017
We designed the VLES GO-bag as the bag we would want to have in an emergency situation. The bag itself is strong and smart, the contents we put in are logical and useful. The Family Plan is essential. Along with the personal items that you add, your VLES GO-bag will be indispensable when unexpected emergencies occur.
Delivering Peace-of-Mind
2019
After more than one year in the market the VLES GO-bag has become part of the evacuation plans and emergency plans for families around the country. We are humbled by the acceptance and acknowledgements we have received from our customers and the media.