There is a new nuclear preparedness guide from the FedGov and sponsored by a group called the National Association of Government Communicators.
Check it out here. It's in PDF format which means you will need Adobe reader which is free.
In case you don't have the time, here's a synopsis of the report.
- A nuclear detonation occuring in the USA is possible due to proliferation and terrorists.
- Such an event would be horrific and communication with the populace by the government at all levels would be important.
- Several suggestions about what to do, i.e. where to shelter, in the event of a nuclear detonation.
- How to deal with decontamination, radiation illness, food and water concerns.
- What to expect from the government at all levels.
- Sample statements for local, state and federal government spokespersons (which was interesting - I hope I never hear them).
There were some very frustrating statements in the report.
- Constant reminders for government leaders to reassure people that all would be well.
- Suggestions that the populace consider volunteering their time or donating to the Red Cross in the event of a nuclear detonation or war complete with URL of related websites.
- The most annoying line "Will shelters be available for people instructed to evacuate?"
"Yes, there will be public shelters with food, medicine, etc".
Reminder - there are no stocked public shelters in the event of a nuclear detonation. They were dismantled years ago and never replaced.
What was missing? The real responses by the government to a disaster of this magnitude...
- There will be martial law in effected areas if not completely nationwide.
- Despite the fact that the attack came from an enemy, the American people will be the ones penalized. Consider all the actions taken against Americans since 9/11 for our "safety". Been on an airplane lately?
- Civil rights will be curtailed in a post-nuclear America and probably will be off the table for awhile.
- Civilains will be on their own for most of their needs. The government has shelters however.
An interesting report none the less and worthy of review. I can only wonder why this document and related news reports have been so widely noted lately and can only believe they are due to the federal government's push for the new START treaty with Russia.
Showing posts with label nuclear war preparedness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nuclear war preparedness. Show all posts
Monday, December 20, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Prepare: NYT - Nuclear Strike is survivable
I woke up today in a different world. Dogs and cats were friends. People liked New Coke. Heck had frozen over.
There in the New York Times was this article about nuclear war and how people could survive it or at least increase their survivability by simply staying put and taking shelter rather than fleeing.
Since the 1970's, the mainstream media has marched the public to the drumbeat of the repeated message - "Nuclear war, no matter how large or small, will result in the complete destruction of the earth and the death of all people. The world will end and there is no point in attempting to prepare for or survive a nuclear war as the resulting world will be worse than death".
Now this.
Administration officials argue that the cold war created an unrealistic sense of fatalism about a terrorist nuclear attack. “It’s more survivable than most people think,” said an official deeply involved in the planning, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “The key is avoiding nuclear fallout.”
The only sense of fatalism came from the media. Ordinary citizens built home fallout shelters and stocked their basements. The government, especially under Kennedy, planned and stocked thousands of public shelters across the country. It was the news media who propogated the myth that all would die horrible deaths regardless of their preparations.
“We have to get past the mental block that says it’s too terrible to think about,” W. Craig Fugate, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said in an interview. “We have to be ready to deal with it” and help people learn how to “best protect themselves.”
Good gravy. They actually want us to do something about it ourselves rather than wait for Uncle Sugar and his merry band of FEMA friends to show up, hand out bottled water and debit cards and make the problems all go away?
What is sad about this is that in the 1980's, Cresson Kearney produced a book which outlined research from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory about surviving nuclear war. The media and several prominent politicians quickly dismissed it as their own conventional wisdom maintained that nobody would survive a nuclear war and that nuclear disarmament, by the USA, only of course, was the only option to avoiding nuclear destruction.
Now this.
It could be that the administration, pushing for a new START treaty with Russia, wants to frame the nuclear war thing again in the media as a way to get approval for their efforts. Everything is politics of course.
And other than producing the pamphlet outlined in the NYT article, I doubt the federal government will revive the public shelter program, Civil Defense or shelter stocking.
However, let's not forget that there are now more nations with nuclear weapons and nuclear weapon manufacturing capability than there was as late as the 1980's and more nations will soon join them. We are in an arms race not between two nations, but between thirty or forty.
It's great the government wants to talk about nuclear war preparedness again, but remember, they only want to have a conversation. Talk is cheap. Real preparedness starts with you right now.
There in the New York Times was this article about nuclear war and how people could survive it or at least increase their survivability by simply staying put and taking shelter rather than fleeing.
Since the 1970's, the mainstream media has marched the public to the drumbeat of the repeated message - "Nuclear war, no matter how large or small, will result in the complete destruction of the earth and the death of all people. The world will end and there is no point in attempting to prepare for or survive a nuclear war as the resulting world will be worse than death".
Now this.
Administration officials argue that the cold war created an unrealistic sense of fatalism about a terrorist nuclear attack. “It’s more survivable than most people think,” said an official deeply involved in the planning, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “The key is avoiding nuclear fallout.”
The only sense of fatalism came from the media. Ordinary citizens built home fallout shelters and stocked their basements. The government, especially under Kennedy, planned and stocked thousands of public shelters across the country. It was the news media who propogated the myth that all would die horrible deaths regardless of their preparations.
“We have to get past the mental block that says it’s too terrible to think about,” W. Craig Fugate, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said in an interview. “We have to be ready to deal with it” and help people learn how to “best protect themselves.”
Good gravy. They actually want us to do something about it ourselves rather than wait for Uncle Sugar and his merry band of FEMA friends to show up, hand out bottled water and debit cards and make the problems all go away?
What is sad about this is that in the 1980's, Cresson Kearney produced a book which outlined research from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory about surviving nuclear war. The media and several prominent politicians quickly dismissed it as their own conventional wisdom maintained that nobody would survive a nuclear war and that nuclear disarmament, by the USA, only of course, was the only option to avoiding nuclear destruction.
Now this.
It could be that the administration, pushing for a new START treaty with Russia, wants to frame the nuclear war thing again in the media as a way to get approval for their efforts. Everything is politics of course.
And other than producing the pamphlet outlined in the NYT article, I doubt the federal government will revive the public shelter program, Civil Defense or shelter stocking.
However, let's not forget that there are now more nations with nuclear weapons and nuclear weapon manufacturing capability than there was as late as the 1980's and more nations will soon join them. We are in an arms race not between two nations, but between thirty or forty.
It's great the government wants to talk about nuclear war preparedness again, but remember, they only want to have a conversation. Talk is cheap. Real preparedness starts with you right now.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Prepare: One Nuke Attack In The US
There is a program coming on one of the cable channels soon which explores what happens when a nuclear weapon is detonated in Washington DC.
Of course there will be some incredible graphics and special effects which will make this worth watching. The rest will all be fantasy as well as nobody can accurately forecast and plan for what would surely be the worse disaster in U.S. history.
That being the case, let's consider what might happen if Washington DC or another large metropolitan area were attacked with nuclear weapons.
First, the country will be stunned. Remember September 11, 2001? Most of us sat in front of the television for hours (it seemed like minutes) as we witnessed that terrible attack on the country. Many of us were to shocked after seeing the first tower go down to get up and do anything. For hours.
If a nuke goes off, expect that to be ten times worse. Some will sit still. Others will go into shock, hysterics and panic. Some will get on the phone, others in the car and others will try to book flights and start packing bags.
Here is what you should consider now: There may be more bombs. Soon. And maybe where you live. Get the shelter ready or get out of dodge.
If you are not supplied, you could go pick up a few more things. But remember, there are plenty of older Americans who remember the Cuban Missile Crisis as well as millions of panicking others wanting canned goods and bottled water, and they will be emptying out the stores just as fast. Plan and shop now.
Next, there will be panic. As stated above, some will jump in their car, get the kids and start driving to the boonies even though they have nowhere to go and did not even pack a bag. Others will go the airport. There will be misinformation spreading as people in California and other distant states panic over getting fallout from DC. They will call the city and government demanding to know where the nearest "bomb shelter" is. They will call the Congress person and mayor wanting to know where to go.
Then comes the first boot to fall; the government's initial reaction. The government will not want to panic anyone and will release a statement about what they know and a few preventative measures they are putting in place now. For instance, the government may ground civilian aircraft, limit phone calls or close certain roads. But that is the light response. The next shoe to fall will be much louder. That is why you need to prepare now.
The next communication from the government will put most of the U.S. under some sort of martial law. Most likely, it will limit travel (no panicking mobs allowed to leave the cities), they will limit firearm and ammunition sales (a dream come true for the Feds and now they have the chance), they will limit food and water purchases to stop "hoarders" (useless now that most of the stores are empty) and they will suspend most Constitutional rights in order to "bring to justice those responsible for this heinous crime". I would not want to be out on the streets or having to deal with law enforcement when this happens. They will nail you for having an expired license tag and throw you in the gulag.
Afterwards, will come the rules change which is necessary to meet this new "challenge". Many resources will be sent to the affected zone including some things taken by force. Emergency workers will be nationalized and sent to dangerous areas to help the injured. Most of the Guard and Reserves will be called up. A crisis like this will present unparalleled opportunities for the Federal Government to fully take over many parts of the nation and its resources.
I have a hunch two things won't happen. First, a response commensurate with the attack itself. The U.S. will wring its hands and look for a scapegoat in the desert or somewhere else far away. Second, there will be no planning or preparation for the public if a nuclear attack were to happen again. No Civil Defense revitalization, no call for fallout shelters in backyards, no stockpiling of food and medicines for an emergency. Rather, it will be time to create a new Federal agency for our protection such as Department of Man Made Disaster Planning and Response. Thousands will be hired to "raise awareness" about disasters.
So right now, your best bet is to a) stock pile supplies now, b) get away from the big cities or have a place to go to with little notice, c) be prepared to live low profile for as long as possible, and d) learn to do without. There may be a time when all help and services come from the government and the requirement is total subservience and forfeiture of assets.
Good luck
Mountain House Freeze-Dried Food
Of course there will be some incredible graphics and special effects which will make this worth watching. The rest will all be fantasy as well as nobody can accurately forecast and plan for what would surely be the worse disaster in U.S. history.
That being the case, let's consider what might happen if Washington DC or another large metropolitan area were attacked with nuclear weapons.
First, the country will be stunned. Remember September 11, 2001? Most of us sat in front of the television for hours (it seemed like minutes) as we witnessed that terrible attack on the country. Many of us were to shocked after seeing the first tower go down to get up and do anything. For hours.
If a nuke goes off, expect that to be ten times worse. Some will sit still. Others will go into shock, hysterics and panic. Some will get on the phone, others in the car and others will try to book flights and start packing bags.
Here is what you should consider now: There may be more bombs. Soon. And maybe where you live. Get the shelter ready or get out of dodge.
If you are not supplied, you could go pick up a few more things. But remember, there are plenty of older Americans who remember the Cuban Missile Crisis as well as millions of panicking others wanting canned goods and bottled water, and they will be emptying out the stores just as fast. Plan and shop now.
Next, there will be panic. As stated above, some will jump in their car, get the kids and start driving to the boonies even though they have nowhere to go and did not even pack a bag. Others will go the airport. There will be misinformation spreading as people in California and other distant states panic over getting fallout from DC. They will call the city and government demanding to know where the nearest "bomb shelter" is. They will call the Congress person and mayor wanting to know where to go.
Then comes the first boot to fall; the government's initial reaction. The government will not want to panic anyone and will release a statement about what they know and a few preventative measures they are putting in place now. For instance, the government may ground civilian aircraft, limit phone calls or close certain roads. But that is the light response. The next shoe to fall will be much louder. That is why you need to prepare now.
The next communication from the government will put most of the U.S. under some sort of martial law. Most likely, it will limit travel (no panicking mobs allowed to leave the cities), they will limit firearm and ammunition sales (a dream come true for the Feds and now they have the chance), they will limit food and water purchases to stop "hoarders" (useless now that most of the stores are empty) and they will suspend most Constitutional rights in order to "bring to justice those responsible for this heinous crime". I would not want to be out on the streets or having to deal with law enforcement when this happens. They will nail you for having an expired license tag and throw you in the gulag.
Afterwards, will come the rules change which is necessary to meet this new "challenge". Many resources will be sent to the affected zone including some things taken by force. Emergency workers will be nationalized and sent to dangerous areas to help the injured. Most of the Guard and Reserves will be called up. A crisis like this will present unparalleled opportunities for the Federal Government to fully take over many parts of the nation and its resources.
I have a hunch two things won't happen. First, a response commensurate with the attack itself. The U.S. will wring its hands and look for a scapegoat in the desert or somewhere else far away. Second, there will be no planning or preparation for the public if a nuclear attack were to happen again. No Civil Defense revitalization, no call for fallout shelters in backyards, no stockpiling of food and medicines for an emergency. Rather, it will be time to create a new Federal agency for our protection such as Department of Man Made Disaster Planning and Response. Thousands will be hired to "raise awareness" about disasters.
So right now, your best bet is to a) stock pile supplies now, b) get away from the big cities or have a place to go to with little notice, c) be prepared to live low profile for as long as possible, and d) learn to do without. There may be a time when all help and services come from the government and the requirement is total subservience and forfeiture of assets.
Good luck
Mountain House Freeze-Dried Food
Monday, August 10, 2009
Prepare: What Happens After A Nuclear War?
I found this link in a forum which was discussing the very same topic. It is quite possibly the best and most thoughtful write up on the subject I have read. It is over five years old, but still very relevant in fact more so today.
I like to research things which may have an impact on me and mine. The problem with the effects of nuclear war is that most of what is written online follows these lines..
"Nuclear war will mean the death of THE WHOLE WORLD!"
"The result will be nuclear winter and the destruction of the ozone layer".
"A single bomb will destroy all of New York City, will spread fallout for hundreds of miles and will contaminate the soil, water and air for thousands of years".
Nearly all the above has been proven false. That is why finding that link and the write up was sobering and disheartening, but the truth was refreshing.
In business, we have "take aways"; what did you learn that you left the meeting with?
Here are my take aways from the above essay.
1) Have a good supply of food. This has been said over and over again in every scenario. Stored food for immediately afterwards (up to two years) and the ability (land, seed, fertilizer, livestock, skill) to produce more from then on.
2) Natural triage of the survivors will happen. Those who can save themselves or who can live without any assistance will the best off. Those waiting for and wanting outside help will not make it.
3) Who will go to the top of the "must save list" will surprise some, but not me. Child bearing women and healthy children are at the top of the list. Rebuilding the population will not be a fool's errand, but mandatory or all will be extinct in short order.
4) Skills which contribute to the survival of the group are the most valuable. Medical, technical, agricultural.
5) The 2nd Amendment as carried out by citizens will protect and preserve society. Spells it out very clearly.
6) Survival of the strongest does not necessarily mean "a big guy with a gun" but often the brightest and best organized. I call this the "survival of the adapter".
The downside of the post is what the author calls the inevitable fallback of civilization to the 18th and 17th century standards. He says this will be due to loss of technology (batteries, computers, fuel, vehicles even ammunition will run out), loss of resources (assets in the cities and on the ground will start to deteriorate the day after), and loss of knowledge (people scrambling to transcribe digital data into paper and ink written form).
Regardless, what will happen after a nuclear war has a dramatic impact on what you and I do today to plan for it.
I like to research things which may have an impact on me and mine. The problem with the effects of nuclear war is that most of what is written online follows these lines..
"Nuclear war will mean the death of THE WHOLE WORLD!"
"The result will be nuclear winter and the destruction of the ozone layer".
"A single bomb will destroy all of New York City, will spread fallout for hundreds of miles and will contaminate the soil, water and air for thousands of years".
Nearly all the above has been proven false. That is why finding that link and the write up was sobering and disheartening, but the truth was refreshing.
In business, we have "take aways"; what did you learn that you left the meeting with?
Here are my take aways from the above essay.
1) Have a good supply of food. This has been said over and over again in every scenario. Stored food for immediately afterwards (up to two years) and the ability (land, seed, fertilizer, livestock, skill) to produce more from then on.
2) Natural triage of the survivors will happen. Those who can save themselves or who can live without any assistance will the best off. Those waiting for and wanting outside help will not make it.
3) Who will go to the top of the "must save list" will surprise some, but not me. Child bearing women and healthy children are at the top of the list. Rebuilding the population will not be a fool's errand, but mandatory or all will be extinct in short order.
4) Skills which contribute to the survival of the group are the most valuable. Medical, technical, agricultural.
5) The 2nd Amendment as carried out by citizens will protect and preserve society. Spells it out very clearly.
6) Survival of the strongest does not necessarily mean "a big guy with a gun" but often the brightest and best organized. I call this the "survival of the adapter".
The downside of the post is what the author calls the inevitable fallback of civilization to the 18th and 17th century standards. He says this will be due to loss of technology (batteries, computers, fuel, vehicles even ammunition will run out), loss of resources (assets in the cities and on the ground will start to deteriorate the day after), and loss of knowledge (people scrambling to transcribe digital data into paper and ink written form).
Regardless, what will happen after a nuclear war has a dramatic impact on what you and I do today to plan for it.
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