← Back to blogNovember 3, 2026 · Car Czar Team
FORTRESS America and Vehicle Readiness: What Everyday Drivers Can Do
A vehicle-readiness plan starts with an ordinary question: if your usual routine is interrupted, can you still make a necessary trip?
You do not need a special vehicle to begin. You need to know its condition, how you would fuel or charge it, what your passengers need, and where you would go.
What is FORTRESS America?
The Army's account of the September 30, 2026 announcement describes FORTRESS America as a military resilience initiative. Its goals include independent power for installations, stronger protection and more resilient critical supply chains. The same account expands the name as federal operations for resilience, troop resources, energy, supply and survivability, and says the aim is for installations to run under their own power, to be hardened against intrusion, and to bring critical supply chains home.[1]
That announcement does not establish a civilian vehicle-preparation requirement. The full memo was unavailable during research, so this article does not claim to review every provision. The checks below are general preparedness advice drawn from transport and emergency agencies. Connecting them to the resilience theme is an editorial approach.
1. Start with the vehicle you already own
Review open recalls and overdue service. Check tire condition and cold inflation pressure against the vehicle's placard, including the spare if equipped. Check fluids, exterior lights and wipers, and arrange professional help for warning lights or suspected faults.[2]
Weather matters. Cold can make starting more demanding and reduce electric-vehicle range. Check your battery and charging system as appropriate, and allow for seasonal conditions when planning travel.[3]
Write down any unresolved issue and its next action. A vehicle with a known problem deserves attention before you rely on it for a necessary trip.
2. Plan how you will fuel or charge
For gasoline and diesel vehicles, FEMA recommends having plenty of fuel before predicted extreme weather that could cause an outage.[4]
For an EV, charge ahead of a possible outage while following the manufacturer's battery guidance.[5] Identify more than one compatible charging location as a practical backup, and check availability when travel is necessary. A pin on a map does not establish that a charger is operating.
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Both fuel pumps and charging equipment can be affected by loss of electricity; a station with backup power may operate differently from one without it.[6]
For a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, understand both sides of the vehicle's operation. Read its manual rather than assuming that charge alone replaces fuel for every situation.
Keep a written note of your vehicle's permitted fuel or charging requirements. If your normal stop is unavailable, that information helps you choose an appropriate alternative.
3. Build a kit for the people who travel with you
Start with a phone charging cable, flashlight, first-aid supplies, drinking water, shelf-stable snacks, a blanket and weather-appropriate clothing. Carry suitable roadside equipment, such as a tire-pressure gauge and the vehicle's supplied spare or mobility equipment.[7]
Then personalize it. Consider children, pets, mobility needs and medication storage instructions. Check expiration dates and battery charge periodically. A kit that you cannot find or use will be less useful when plans change.
Do not make roadside repairs in a location that exposes you to traffic. Request assistance when the location or task is unsafe.
4. Keep routes and important information accessible
Make a household plan with a destination, meeting point and alternate route. Keep essential contact and vehicle information available in a secure, portable form. Utah's emergency-document checklist includes maps, evacuation routes and vehicle records.[8]
Use secure copies where appropriate; protect originals and sensitive details. Do not treat this as a reason to leave your vehicle title in the glove compartment.
Learn how your garage door's manual release works before the power fails, using its manufacturer's safe procedure.[9]
During an incident, follow local instructions about whether and when to travel. A prepared vehicle does not make every route safe.
5. Know the limits of vehicle backup power
Some vehicles can supply external power, but capabilities depend on the exact model and equipment. Home backup may require a compatible installation; Tesla's documentation illustrates how requirements vary with the home energy system and vehicle.[10]
Do not improvise a connection to household wiring. CPSC warns against powering house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet, a practice called backfeeding.[11]
If your vehicle supports approved external power, learn the setup before an outage and consider the driving energy you still need. Get qualified installation help for any home connection.
6. Avoid creating a second emergency
Never run a fuel-burning vehicle in an enclosed or partially enclosed space such as a garage. Opening the garage door does not make indoor engine operation a safe plan. A hybrid may start its engine automatically, so use the same caution.[12]
If you choose to store extra fuel, use appropriate labeled containers, keep it outside living areas and away from ignition sources, and check local fire rules. Buying large amounts is not a substitute for a travel plan.[11]
Never drive through flooded roads or around flood barricades. Turn around and find a safe alternative.[13]
Your first steps
Choose one action from each category: address a vehicle issue, confirm your fuel or charging options, review your kit, and agree on a family travel plan. Keep the checklist with your vehicle records and revisit it as seasons and household needs change.
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Footnotes / Sources
[1] U.S. Army. Hegseth delivers 'State of the Force' address, outlines series of new initiatives. Matthew Olay, Pentagon News. October 2, 2026. Account of the September 30, 2026 address. FORTRESS America is described as a military installation resilience effort, not a civilian vehicle requirement.
https://www.army.mil/article/295897
[2] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Summer Driving Tips. Accessed November 2, 2026.
https://www.nhtsa.gov/summer-driving-tips
[3] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Winter Driving Tips. Accessed November 2, 2026.
https://www.nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips
[4] Federal Emergency Management Agency. Power Outage hazard information sheet. Ready.gov, March 2024.
https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/ready.gov_power-outage_hazard-info-sheet.pdf
[5] Texas Department of Insurance. Fire safety for electric cars. Accessed November 2, 2026.
https://www.tdi.texas.gov/blog/fire-safety-for-electric-cars.html
[6] Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Board of Environmental Protection. Chapter 127-A Basis Statement and Response to Comments, comment 36. March 20, 2024.
https://www.maine.gov/dep/bep/2024/03-20-24/Chapter%20127-A%20Basis%20Statement%20and%20Response%20to%20Comments.pdf
[7] California Highway Patrol. Roadside Emergency Kit. Accessed November 2, 2026.
https://www.chp.ca.gov/Programs-Services/Services-Information/Roadside-Emergency-Kit
[8] Utah Division of Emergency Management. Important Documents Checklist. Accessed November 2, 2026.
https://dem.utah.gov/resource/important-documents/
[9] New Jersey Office of Emergency Management. Power Outages. Accessed November 2, 2026.
https://www.nj.gov/njoem/plan-prepare/power-outages.shtml
[10] Tesla. Powershare support documentation. An example of model-specific home-backup requirements, not a claim about every electric vehicle. Accessed November 2, 2026.
https://www.tesla.com/support/powershare
[11] U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Portable Generator Hazards. Safety alert covering fuel storage and backfeeding. October 2021.
https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/5123_SafetyAlert_PortableGenerators_102021.pdf
[12] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What to Do to Protect Yourself During a Power Outage. Accessed November 2, 2026.
https://www.cdc.gov/natural-disasters/response/what-to-do-protect-yourself-during-a-power-outage.html
[13] National Weather Service. Flood safety: Turn Around Don't Drown. Accessed November 2, 2026.
https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown
