The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced it will conduct a nuclear detonation “drill” on January 6 from 3:00-3:30 PM eastern time. Strangely, in the past, federal “drills” turned out to be the real thing . . .
FEMA’s announcement is shown in the image above. A direct link to it appears on their official web site HERE.
They even have a Manual they distribute to State and Local response agencies talking about what to expect:
If a nuclear detonation occurred in an American city, it would be one of the most catastrophic incidents the United States (US) has ever experienced.
Responders must be prepared to address the unique challenges of a nuclear response.
With careful planning, many— if not most— lives can be saved. Additionally, preparing and planning for nuclear detonations better equips your community for other natural and man made hazards/disasters, such as fire-spread, hurricanes, earthquakes, and radiological incidents.
While the fallout hazard is unique, most aspects of multi-hazard or all-hazard planning and response are applicable to nuclear detonation response and planning.
Planners and responders bring a wealth of experience and expertise to nuclear detonation response.
This guidance provides nuclear detonation information and context to enable planners, responders, and their leaders to leverage their existing capabilities. This document describes the considerations, planning factors, and available resources to craft a successful nuclear detonation response plan.
The focus of this document is on the first 24 to 72 hours after a detonation, when early actions can save many lives. The primary audiences for this planning guidance are Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial (FSLTT) emergency response planners, at all levels, and their leadership.
What seems most interesting (to me) is that the manual repeatedly makes clear, YOU WILL HAVE NO FEDERAL HELP FOR 24-72 HOURS!
*Recommendations by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection offer the following tips that all residents take three simple preparedness steps: Get a kit, make a plan, and stay informed”.*– Watch This Free Video.
Of course, the FEMA manual, being 241 pages, is a lengthy read and almost none of you will bother reading it. Given that reality, I think it proper to ask:
If you are sitting at home, or at work, or you’re in your car, minding your own business, and the Emergency Alert System tones come blaring on your radio or TV telling you a nuclear attack against the United States is in progress and missiles will be impacting within minutes . . . what’s the first thing you would do?
Stop a second and think about that. What is the first thing you would do?
Most people have no friggin clue . . . at all.
Panic sets in, no one is thinking, no one has a plan . . . a recipe for total disaster!
So think about it, folks. What would YOU do?
Go in the basement? Do you even have a basement?
Is there any food, water, or potassium iodate down there?
When the bombs hit, the electricity goes off, do you have any warm clothing down there? Flashlights? Batteries? A first aid kit?
Start thinking about this now because FEMA’s “drill” is this Thursday.
And, as we all saw on 9-11, the federal government has a tendency to run “drills” when things are actually going to take place.
