Where to Start...How to Decide where to get started on your road to preparedness...

Getting Started

This page is intended as an overview of how to get started on collecting, sorting, and studying Survival and Preparedness information. Whether you find it here on SurvivalRing, or any of a thousand other websites offering real and useful documents, training, suggestions, plans, ideas, or simply information, you may quickly become overwhelmed by the hundreds of thousands of printable pages you may find. If you have just enjoined the search for info, you may simply have an inkling of what is available, or you may have no idea just how to find that first bit of information YOU need for YOUR situation. Here are MY alert levels, to get your attention...they are ZILCH through OHCRAP.

One - Level ZILCH
Everything is Copacetic (Fine, excellent, going just right). This is your very own BASE level for NORMAL...nothing going on, no storms on the horizon, no strangers in sight, no local hazards of any real concern for you AT THE MOMENT.

THIS is the time to do a little research on what is a local threat ( nature, crime, targeting, access, etc.) and have plans in mind on what to do for different events that *can* occur. The geographic area of your concern can be local, your entire state, or your region of the continental United States. Start small, but continually expand your search for info as you become comfortable with your knowledge and application of preparedness tools.

Two - Level BOING
Something is afoot. Storm fronts are days upwind...the local police are practicing for future events...the weather is extremely dry and wildfires are possible...extreme rain events upstream are occuring...the power company is having problems with some of their equipment and you loose power a couple times a month.

ANY of these events is like getting conked on the noggin with a large pine-cone...no pain, but it got your attention, and now you're looking UP. You should be checking the local weather through the web, your radio, or the news...or watching cable news a couple times a day. Thinking ahead here will get you comparing generators for the home and RV, UPS power backups for the computer, some extra food in the pantry that doesn't need to be cooked or made from scratch, and purchase of a weather radio, police scanner, or shortwave (bonus points here for battery powered radios, with a gold star if you pick up a hand-crank powered communications tool).

Three - Level THWACK
The horizon is different somehow...thunderheads are building...lightning can be seen but not heard...the radio reports problems with nature/ with infrastructure/ with rioting...the TV is showing images of places in YOUR town or part of the state, that are NOT good.

This kind of event is the one that makes your heart skip a beat...it's too close for comfort. Now you should be getting the latest radar image from the net of your area, monitoring the scenes on the TV, and getting your 72 hour kit out from under that stuff in the closet, just in case. This is the time that you have some PLANS on what to do, based on taking that time to research threats at level ZILCH. You know what you need, where you might go, and how you might hunker down if level Uh-Oh is attained. Tools, supplies, and radios are IN HAND, and you are in a heightened sense of your surroundings, but doing your normal, everyday chores.

Four - Level UH-OH!
You see "the problem" directly. The squall line from the cold front is a couple miles away, and heading your direction...the wall cloud is starting to form, and the funnel might be seen dropping...you hear multiple public safety vehicle sirens in the distance...there is smoke rising a few blocks or miles away...you see the plane/ the train/ the semi truck/ the bicycle either out of control, or heading for trouble in front of you...your power is out...your phone doesn't work...your cell phone can't get a signal no matter how you hold it... it's dark and someone you don't know is outside your house without a good reason...there's been a huge explosion, or many, upwind...the news says the asteroid won't miss the earth.

This is the kind of event that stops you in your tracks, creates adrenalin rushes, and makes MOST people freak out to the point of inaction. You better be calling the police, radio, tv, and friends looking for DETAILS, as to what the real threat is, and from what direction is may come. You should already have a plan in mind, and ready to put into action. You are heading for the basement, the phone, the shotgun. You KNOW it's up to YOU to be the difference in safety, or lack thereof. The radio is blaring...the lights ALL come on...and you know that the outcome will be in your favor IF you've thought of the consequences and acted and planned for it beforehand.

Five - Level OH-CRAP!
You are suffering directly from a natural or manmade event. You don't have a place to go, you're stuck at home/ at work/ in the car/ in the wilderness. Fire has engulfed your home...the tornado is mere seconds away...the hurricane winds are lifting the roof off your home...you're in a ditch, upside down hanging by your seatbelt...you're hunting, and you've lost your sense of direction, and your compass, and it's getting dark...someone is breaking the window to your kitchen door at 3am downstairs...you see a blinding flash outside that is the brightest thing you've ever seen, followed by incredible winds...a flash flood has caught you camped out next ot a dry stream bed.

This is the time that makes the difference between life...and death. Either you make it, or you don't. You have plans already in action, have training that helps make the right decision, have tools at hand to get you where you want to be, and have the psychological confidence in your being to know you'll make it through this problem...or you don't, and suffer a horrible outcome. Worse, you watch as loved ones around you suffer.

NOW is when you will live based on preparing at level ZILCH. Your family and friends may be with you as well, thanks to your concern and forethought. Yes, there will be a huge mess, angry neighbors, costly replacement, and still some pain and agony. But, think of it this way....preparedness is easy...recovery is hard.

The above five *SurvivalRing Threat Levels* cover just about anything... and yes, your PRE-PLANNING can mean the difference between life and death...for you, and your family. It's about having the information IN YOUR POSSESSION before it is needed...no matter what the threat is. You HAVE to read it...understand it...comprehend it...and implement it...NOW...before the threat is at the door, or already on the horizon.

Maybe now you might be thinking more about what might be a threat to you...in the future. Read more below, about what I offer, and what others consider threats...for you...for the military, the internet, other families, businesses, schools, and much more.

Low Threat Levels

A Low Threat Level occurs when things are happening far away,in the other side of the country, or overseas, that if allowed to run its course, COULD develop into long term problems (weather systems, economic downturns, terrorism, or some kind of attack). When this occurs, common sense tells you that you should pay a little bit more attention to the news, while making sure you have basic necessities such as emergency savings, 72 hour kits, a safe room in your home, and a plan for evacuation (Who goes, Where they go, When they leave, and When they arrive).

Basically, this is called HAVING A PLAN. Use the SurvivalRing website to understand the wide variety of possible threats and know the basics of response. Pay particular attention to the NBC PREPS files, the basics of shelter information, and the hazard maps available in the Civil Defense NOW pdf file.

Developing Crisis

There are going to be times when things are looking scary, whether it is an approaching tornado, hurricane winds coming your way, or localized threats from civil disturbance, and you develop a higher state of personal alertness. Constant contact with news communications ( radio, TV, cable, etc. ) through home, car, or pocket radio will help you gauge your response to preparing for things that MAY happen. Understanding of shelter systems, family training, practical response for medical needs, and an already gathered, assembled, and tested emergency kit will give you a sense of confidence in knowing what to do when events occur. Having a place chosen to evacuate to, a shelter design planned and ready to go ( tools, equipment, supplies, and so forth ) will make things easier. Studying the full spectrum of fallout shelter information presented here will give you an edge on the world in knowing just how far you can get in getting ready for ANYTHING.

This is the time to actually PRACTICE if you have not already, and gather extra tools, supplies, and equipment (chain saw, plywood, a police scanner, shortwave radio, filtering for shelter, extra storable food, etc.) IF YOU HAVE NOT YET.

Yes, if things DO get bad, they can get really bad, really fast. What may be in the next county or state can reach your neighborhood fairly quickly, much faster than most would anticipate...unless you are WATCHING and LISTENING. Training BEFORE any event is an asset, and the FEMA manuals on the CD and the CERT training materials found here are a great start to being prepared.

Imminent Threat of Immediate Danger

OK....so it happens. An F-5 tornado is coming your direction...or the next Hurricane Andrew has hit the coast and is coming toward you...or the L.A. Riots are being reenacted in your front yard...or Al Queda has just crashed a corporate jet into the nearby nuclear plant.

What do you do? Panic? Pray? Or do EXACTLY what you need to do, to have a positive outcome in the long term?

Knowing just WHAT to do for SPECIFIC events is the trick. How do you know? By Studying EVERYTHING here. Actual time is going to have to be spent reading, reading, and MORE reading. Using material here to find MORE study and research material elsewhere is going to help even more. The 20,000 pages of data and training information available on my CD Rom ( see the image and links on the upper left side of this webpage) will give you enormous amounts of informaton on mitigation, response, and recovery areas. But it is not everything, nor does it intend to be. It will get you in the right frame of mind, and seed your thoughts with more areas to look into...if you are serious about LONG TERM SURVIVAL.

So, here is a question...suppose the WORST happens. An all-out nuclear attack ensues. Warheads are on their way. Nukes are being detonated and people are dying. What Do You Do?

Well, FEMA spent a few decades and massive funds studying this, and created PREPAREDNESS PLANNING FOR A NUCLEAR CRISIS (HS-4). Click and view the HTML version or download the PDF version from the Civil Defense Now Downloads page. You can decide EXACTLY what to do and where to go and how to live, with info included in this manual. But, it takes action. Your action. Nobody can do it for you... and YOU have to KNOW you can do it, once you know where to start.

Act now. Preparing for the WORST...prepares you for anything less. Do It Now.

Now, here are some OTHER definitions and examples of Threat Levels and Alert Levels.

Armed Services Threat Levels
( from http://www.eucom.mil/Directorates/ECPA/News/index.htm?http://www.eucom.mil/directorates/ecpa/news/FPCON.htm&2)

A Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-approved program standardizes the military services' identification of and recommended responses to terrorist threats against U.S. personnel and facilities. This program facilitates interservice coordination and support for antiterrorism activities and is called FPCONs.

The Department of Defense decided the name change was necessary. following the investigation into the attack on the USS Cole, DOD officials determined there was possible confusion between "THREATCONs," which are DOD force preparedness states, and the Department of State's "Threat Levels," which are assessment categories for countries and regions. To eliminate this confusion, DOD has renamed security postures as "Force Protection Conditions,"

There are four FPCONs above normal:

This condition applies when there is a general threat of possible terrorist activity against personnel and facilities, the nature and extent of which are unpredictable, and circumstances do not justify full implementation of FPCON BRAVO measures. However, it may be necessary to implement certain measures from higher THREATCONS resulting from intelligence received or as a deterrent. The measures in this THREATCON must be capable of being maintained indefinitely.

This condition applies when an increased and more predictable threat of terrorist activity exists. The measures in this THREATCON must be capable of being maintained for weeks without causing undue hardship, affecting operational capability, and aggravating relations with local authorities.

This condition applies when an incident occurs or intelligence received indicating some form of terrorist action against personnel and facilities is imminent. Implementation of measures in this THREATCON for more than a short period probably will create hardship and affect the peacetime activities of the unit and its personnel.

This condition applies in the immediate area where a terrorist attack has occurred or when intelligence has been received that terrorist action against a specific location or person is likely. Normally, this THREATCON is declared as a localized condition. See also anti-terrorism.

(*Terminology changed IAW DODI 2000.16, 14 Jun 01)

The Department of Homeland Security Threat Matrix

1. Low Condition (Green). This condition is declared when there is a low risk of terrorist attacks. Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures they develop and implement:

• Refining and exercising as appropriate preplanned Protective Measures;
• Ensuring personnel receive proper training on the Homeland Security Advisory System and specific preplanned department or agency Protective Measures; and
• Institutionalizing a process to assure that all facilities and regulated sectors are regularly assessed for vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks, and all reasonable measures are taken to mitigate these vulnerabilities.

2. Guarded Condition (Blue). This condition is declared when there is a general risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Condition, Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures that they will develop and implement:

• Checking communications with designated emergency response or command locations;
• Reviewing and updating emergency response procedures; and
• Providing the public with any information that would strengthen its ability to act appropriately.
  

3. Elevated Condition (Yellow). An Elevated Condition is declared when there is a significant risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Conditions, Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the Protective Measures that they will develop and implement:

• Increasing surveillance of critical locations;
• Coordinating emergency plans as appropriate with nearby jurisdictions;
• Assessing whether the precise characteristics of the threat require the further refinement of preplanned Protective Measures; and
• Implementing, as appropriate, contingency and emergency response plans.

4. High Condition (Orange). A High Condition is declared when there is a high risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the Protective Measures taken in the previous Threat Conditions, Federal departments and agencies should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures that they will develop and implement:

• Coordinating necessary security efforts with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies or any National Guard or other appropriate armed forces organizations;
• Taking additional precautions at public events and possibly considering alternative venues or even cancellation;
• Preparing to execute contingency procedures, such as moving to an alternate site or dispersing their workforce; and
• Restricting threatened facility access to essential personnel only.

5. Severe Condition (Red). A Severe Condition reflects a severe risk of terrorist attacks. Under most circumstances, the Protective Measures for a Severe Condition are not intended to be sustained for substantial periods of time. In addition to the Protective Measures in the previous Threat Conditions, Federal departments and agencies also should consider the following general measures in addition to the agency-specific Protective Measures that they will develop and implement:

• Increasing or redirecting personnel to address critical emergency needs;
• Assigning emergency response personnel and pre-positioning and mobilizing specially trained teams or resources;
• Monitoring, redirecting, or constraining transportation systems; and
• Closing public and government facilities.
  

  ---

Internet Threat Level...

If your livelihood, or access to latest threat and news information is internet based, you may want to know the levels of internet threat (thanks to https://gtoc.iss.net/issEn/delivery/gtoc/index.jsp)

AlertCon 1 - Regular vigilance. Ordinary activity compromises an unprotected network minutes to hours after first being connected to the Internet.

AlertCon 2 - Increased vigilance. Vulnerabilities or threats to computer networks require vulnerability assessment and corrective action.

AlertCon 3 - Focused attacks. Specific vulnerabilities and weaknesses are the target of Internet attacks and require immediate defensive action.

AlertCon 4 - Catastrophic threat. Critical security situations within a network dictate an immediate and focused defensive action. This condition may be imminent or ongoing.

Answers to Your Questions about Heightened Threat Level
( from http://www.redcross.org/news/ds/terrorism/030214wmd.html )

Questions related to shelter-in-place
Questions related to disaster supplies
Questions related to personal disaster preparedness
Questions related to school/business disaster preparedness
General Questions
Questions about specific hazards

Questions related to shelter-in-place

Q: Will anyone tell me to stay in my home or leave the area?

• Yes, local government officials will provide instructions on the radio and television. Listen to their advice and follow their instructions.
• If local government officials advise evacuating the area, the Red Cross will open shelters in locations that will be safe.
• Be careful not to confuse an evacuation shelter with a room in a home or building that is selected to seal up and use to “shelter-in-place.”

Q: What are the important points to remember in case we are told to “shelter- in-place?”

• You should be in a place that will afford you protection from a contaminant in the air.
• Instructions on how to “shelter-in-place” are provided on our web site at http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/shelterinplace.html
• Please do not confuse the recommendation to have at least three days’ worth of disaster supplies on hand with the amount of time that you may be asked to shelter-in-place. We always recommend having at least three days’ worth of supplies in case stores are closed and roads are impassible due to a disaster like a flood or winter storm.

Q: Does the Red Cross recommend stocking duct tape and plastic sheeting?

• Yes.
• These materials have always been recommended to have as part of a Disaster Supplies Kit.
• They may be needed if the public is advised by local authorities to “shelter-in-place.”

Q: I’m confused about this duct tape and plastic sheeting recommendation - am I supposed to seal my whole house and do it now? How much do I need? Is plastic really going to stop a chemical agent? What kind of plastic sheeting should I use?

• The recommendation to shelter-in-place using duct tape and plastic sheeting will be provided by local government officials only when an emergency occurs. The Red Cross recommends that people have these supplies on hand in case they are needed.
• You would seal only one room when advised to do so, and do it only when instructed - not in advance.
• It is likely that one roll of duct tape will be adequate. Plastic sheeting of durable thickness (thicker than food wrap) is recommended for covering vents and other openings to the outside - not the entire room. It is intended to provide a barrier to air flow.
• While we can not guarantee that plastic sheeting over air vents will stop all biological, chemical, or radiological agents, it will add to the barrier of protection for your safety.
• For further instructions, see “shelter in place” information at http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/shelterinplace.html.

Q: Do I need a safe room? What is a safe room?

• A “safe room” as defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is a room, preferably below ground, in which people can take shelter from a tornado.
• If such a room is below ground, it may not be the safest choice if told to stay at home and “shelter-in-place” during a weapons of mass destruction event due to the possibility that some contaminants may seep into rooms below ground level.
• The Red Cross recommends and endorses having a “safe room” in areas where tornadoes are a threat. (For more information on a “safe room,” see www.fema.gov. ) However, do not confuse a “safe room” used for protection from windstorms with a room selected for “shelter-in-place.” They are technically different, although they serve a similar purpose. If a “safe room” for windstorms is above ground level and has no windows, it can also be an ideal location in which to shelter-in-place.

Q: How much time do I have to get to the room that I have selected in which to shelter-in-place once I hear of an attack?

• The situation will vary, depending on the nature of the event. It is best to take immediate protective action as soon as you think there is a local emergency, or if you hear on the radio or television that you need to shelter-in-place.

Q: Do I need to put towels under my door? Should they be wet?

• Wet towels under a door are used in cases when you are in a room from which you can not escape and a fire is on the other side. That is not the same thing as what needs to be done when you shelter-in-place. See the instructions on shelter-in-place at http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/shelterinplace.html

Q: If I seal off my rooms and vents, how will I breathe? How long should I anticipate being in the room in which I am sheltering-in-place?

• Instructions to shelter-in-place are usually provided for a matter of hours, not weeks. There is little danger that the room in which you are taking shelter will run out of oxygen and you will suffocate.

Q: Is the room in which to shelter-in-place a bathroom?

• A bathroom may be a good choice for the room in which to “shelter-in-place” as long as it does not have windows (or few windows) and you can block openings (such as vents) to the outside.

Q: What about whole house air filtration systems?

• These systems are designed to reduce, but not completely remove, particulate matter in the air inside a home. A house or apartment, itself, is not completely air tight or sealed, even when doors and windows are closed.

Questions related to disaster supplies

Q: How many disaster supplies kits should I have?

• We recommend that you stock a complete kit to meet the needs of everyone in your home, and have it packed and ready to take with you in case you are advised to evacuate your home.
• You should also have a small disaster supplies kit in each vehicle you have, as well as supplies at your workplace.
• Sometimes it is easier to create one kit for each person in your home, so that the container is smaller and easier to carry. The amount of contents remains the same, in total, for everyone in your home.
• See “Talking About Disaster” for more information at: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_3_,00.html

Q: What about my pets? How much should I add to my disaster supplies kit for them?

• Store enough supplies for your pet’s needs for at least three days, including food, water, and related items such as kitty litter.

Q: What’s the difference between an “all hazards” disaster supplies kit and a WMD disaster supplies kit?

• There is no difference between these kits, except that certain manufacturers may apply different labels to them.
• The recommended list of disaster supplies that the Red Cross recommends that people have for any type of disaster can be found on www.redcross.org.

Q: Do you recommend that people have a gas mask?

• No.
• The most current advice provided by the Centers for Disease Control is that gas masks are not recommended for the general public. They need to be fitted carefully for each face, and there are different kinds of masks for different types of agents.
• Having or using a gas mask may offer a false sense of security.

Q: Does the Red Cross recommend that people stock up on certain antibiotics?

• No.
• An antibiotic is a chemical that is used after exposure to a disease-causing organism.
• Health professionals are reluctant to or will not prescribe antibiotics before exposure (prophylactic treatment) because that further increases the problem of mutations of organisms to be resistant to antibiotics. If an organism develops resistance to common antibiotics, then more powerful antibiotics may have to be used instead.
• More powerful antibiotics often have serious side-effects, sometimes worse than the actual disease. In addition:
  1. Antibiotics are specific as to the type of organism they work for. You don't know which one to take until you know what you have been exposed to. Usually the lay-public can not tell what one has been exposed to. A doctor has to determine that, usually through tests.
  2. Most antibiotics have a limited shelf-life, and some require refrigeration and/or special storage.
  3. Antibiotics are not useful for virus-caused illnesses. Viruses are different types of organisms and are not affected by antibiotics.
  4. The Red Cross only recommends that people have antibiotics on hand that their physician has prescribed for specific conditions. Further, the person receiving the antibiotics should get advice from the physician or a licensed pharmacist as how to store and maintain antibiotics, as well as how to use them.

Q: What about Potassium Iodide (KI?)

• Potassium Iodide has been shown to provide some limited help in preventing the body from absorbing certain types of radioactive particles which could inhibit metabolism through action of the thyroid gland.
• The Centers for Disease Control does not recommend that individuals stock up or take Potassium Iodide in advance of an attack. This is because Potassium Iodide is only useful for certain types of radioactivity, and can also be harmful if used improperly, by children, or by people with chronic or undiagnosed thryoid disease. Consult your physician if you have questions about this chemical.

Questions related to personal disaster preparedness

Q: Do I need to evacuate my home?

• Only if local government officials advise to do so. Some times, it may be safer to stay at home and shelter-in-place.

Q: Tell me more about the personal communications plan that you recommend?

• The greatest cause of anxiety when disaster happens is not knowing how the people you care about are doing. It is important to list all telephone numbers as well as e-mail addresses for everyone that you will need to notify in an emergency.
• Also, designate someone who lives out-of-town to be the central contact, in case those you care about are in different places when disaster strikes.

Q: How do I know which radio station to listen to get information?

• These days, all radio stations are required to carry “Emergency Alert Messages” when local officials issue them.
• For continuous updates, select a radio station that you know carries regular and “live” news broadcasts, rather than taped interviews.

Q: If I live in a high-rise, do I respond the same way as if I lived in a home?

• Listen to the advice of local government officials. If advised to shelter-in-place, select an interior room on the floor that you are on in which to take refuge. If advised to evacuate, follow the advice of local government officials or building management.

Questions related to school/business disaster preparedness

Q: How can schools prepare for the unexpected?

• The American Red Cross has produced the Facing Fear: Helping Young People Deal With Terrorism and Tragic Events curriculum which is on line at www.redcross.org/disaster/masters/facingfear. These lessons and activities will help educators deal with student's concerns, as well as practice drills on "reverse evacuation" if required.
• We do not have information on how schools, colleges, or universities can develop disaster plans. Please consult the school board or local emergency management.

Q: What should you do if you hear about an emergency and your children are in school?

• Schools should have an emergency plan - check with your children’s school now to find out what the plan is.
• If an emergency happens while children are in school, often the school will hold children until the area is safe and parents or a designated adult can pick them up.
• Parents should not drive to school to pick up children unless advised to do so; driving on the roadways may put you into harm’s way.

Q: How do I find out what kind of plan my place of employment has?

• Ask your supervisor or facilities manager. If your employer does not have a plan, suggest that they read the “Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry” (A5025) which is available for downloading from www.redcross.org for more information.

Q: Should I take a disaster supplies kit to work with me?

• It is a good idea to have essential disaster supplies in all places where you spend significant amounts of time.

General Questions

Q: Isn’t preparing for an unspecified emergency a waste of time? Do you think the government is helping or hurting the American people with these types of messages?

• Any type of disaster can happen any time, such as an earthquake, fire, flood, or tornado. We think it is important to be prepared for any event, regardless of the cause.
• While issuing these types of messages may cause some people to be concerned or anxious, we think that disaster preparedness actions as recommended by the Red Cross and government agencies are helpful.

Q: How can we handle fears and concerns of children?

• The American Red Cross has resources available that can help children deal with terrorism and tragic events. See the lessons and activities titled Facing Fear: Helping Children Deal With Terrorism and Tragic Events. These materials are available to be downloaded from http://www.redcross.org/disaster/masters/facingfear

Q: How do I stay calm?

• Develop a plan on how to respond with your family, including loved-ones who will be concerned about you but who do not live with you.
• Include an emergency communications plan. If a disaster happens, follow your plan.
• Knowing that you know what to do and doing it is the best way to remain calm.

Questions about specific hazards

Q: Do I stay low to the ground during a chemical attack?

• Follow the advice that local government officials will provide on the radio and television.
• The response will vary, depending on the chemical in question.

Q: Tell me about smallpox, ricin, and other specific biological or chemical hazards.

• Please refer to the web sites at www.bt.cdc.gov or www.hhs.gov for specific information. It is okay for the Red Cross to download and retransmit information from these web sites, however, it is important to make it clear what the source of the information is - a government agency, not the Red Cross.

Q: What is a “dirty bomb” and what is the radius of the effects of a “dirty bomb”?

• According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a “dirty bomb” is a radiological weapon which combines conventional explosives and radioactive material.
• This bomb is designed to scatter dangerous and sub-lethal amounts of radioactive material over a general area. There is no way to estimate in advance the area that will be affected by such a bomb.

Q: What’s the difference between a chemical and biological threat?

• One type of threat is caused by a chemical agent and the other is caused by an organism, like virus or bacteria, which can make you sick. Exposure to certain chemicals and biological agents can cause death.
• It is likely you will know very quickly if there is a chemical agent attack, but you may not know that there has been a biological attack immediately.
• The protective actions remain the same: go indoors for safety, and listen to local television and radio for advice on what to do.

Q: What about decontamination if you think you’ve been exposed?

• If there has been an actual or suspected exposure to a chemical or radiological agent, local government officials will set up screening and decontamination locations. This is a place where you will be screened for any agent you may have been exposed to.
• If contamination is determined, you will be escorted through a decontamination process. You will then be given some form of identifier that indicated you are now free of contamination.
• Do not return to a contaminated area until it is determined safe by authorities, because you may have to go through the decontamination process again. If you have further questions about decontamination procedures, please contact your local emergency management agency or local fire department.

Q: Should I fill up the bathtub with water?

• We recommend that you have your disaster supplies kit fully stocked, including at least three gallons of water per person in your household. It is alright to fill the bathtub with water IF you select the bathroom as the room in which to “shelter-in-place.” Then you can use that water for bathing (not for drinking).

Q: What if I come in contact with a chemical or biological agent? Can I go in the room selected to “shelter-in-place” with the rest of my family?

• If you come into contact with a chemical or biological agent, get immediate medical attention. Avoid exposing others to the potential hazard.

Q: What do I do if I suspect an attack?

• Call local law enforcement authorities immediately to report it.

Q: Do I need to buy a generator?

• Unlike a severe storm, it is not likely that an attack using a chemical or biological agent will cause power disruption, so you will not likely need a generator.
• If you do choose to obtain a generator, consult the fact sheet on safe usage of a generator at: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/afterdis/generator.html.

Q: What will trigger a move to the “severe” level in the homeland security system?

• A credible threat with information about an impending attack or an actual attack will trigger it.

Q: What if I’m in a mall or store during an attack-where do I need to go?

• Find a place where you can listen to local radio or television. Follow the advice of local government officials.
• If you are advised to shelter-in-place, follow the instructions on the Red Cross shelter-in-place directions as if you were at a business.
• If you are advised to evacuate, follow instructions provided on the radio or television.

Q: What if I’m in my car? Is there anything I can do?

• If local officials are advising to “shelter-in-place” Follow the instructions on the Red Cross shelter-in-place directions for what to do if you are in a vehicle. If you are advised to evacuate, follow instructions provided on the radio.

Q: If I hear of an attack, what are the most important things I need to do in the first three or five minutes?

• As every situation is different, requiring different actions depending on the problem, we advise that you should put your personal disaster plan into action. Listen to directions of local officials on radio and television and follow their advice.
• It is always a good idea to get your Disaster Supplies Kit and move to the room you selected in which to “shelter-in-place” and listen to local television and radio for more directions there.