- As we are all aware, the U.S. is on high "orange"
alert! What does this mean? Well, it means that we are to be "viligant"..."alert"...and
"alter our normal routine". Why? Now this is a bit vague. Authorities
have only told us that areas are vulnerable to some kind of attack? These,
they didn't say, but I'm trying to imagine? These could be just about anywhere.
I do know from going to the FCC site today, that you can not go in the
main entrance of this building but must enter through a side door and only
with an escort.
-
- Now Washington, except for the air, seems pretty safe.
They've got streets closed off there, big concrete barriers, guards, metal
detectors, doctors and nurses on site, ambulances, etc. So that's a load
lifted off our shoulders. In the event of any serious threat "special"
people (not us) will be hurriedly taken to underground bunkers in unknown
places. Vice-President Cheney went to one of these during 9-11 while we
watched it on TV.
-
- These bunkers, which are humongous, and not exactly your
camp run-a-muck experience are well stocked with food, fuel, hospitals,
sleeping quarters, kitchens, dining halls, huge generators etc. This is
so Contingency of Government called (COG) can go on without a hitch. Of
course, if we're all gone, I'm not sure what's to govern, but I digress.
-
- Being a responsible citizen I wondered? Besides, altering
my route to the bathroom and being vigilant, what else could I do to help
out my fellow citizens? I thought of Civil Defense. Here's the bad news.
We don't have an Energy Policy nor do we have a Civil Defense Plan. The
mouldy crackers and rusted tins in school basements, tunnels and town government
buildings during the Duck and Cover Days of the 50s. just isn't going to
do it. I think we've all come to realize that hiding under a desk or picnic
table is out! With the Pentagon, and the guys running all this, spending
approximately 45 million an hour, and counting on missiles, tanks, micro-wave
weapons, depleted uranium (cuts through metal like butter) shells, cluster
bombs, mines, drone plans, GAO systems, scuds, and feeding and taking care
of tens of thousands of troops; well, they forgot about us.
-
-
- Now the good news. I've found help. Israel has a civil
defense system, and since we paid for it, no reason why we can't adapt
some of these things for ourselves. Right up to date:
- Feb 7-2003 Emergency War Civil Defense Procedures
-
- Dear Israeli Residents (or American for us)
-
- At this time the security forces in the State of Israel
are anticipating the possibility of an emergency situation (hey, us too)
and this obligates us to make the appropriate preparation. We all hope
that the danger will pass quickly, without the country and its citizens
becoming involved in any confrontation. (us too!!)
-
- Israel is prepared for times of emergency in every walk
of life {oops, we're not). Students practice for emergency situations on
a regular and orderly basis. {we have fire drills)
-
- Special arrangements have been made at every school,
nursery and youth club to increase the safety and security of our children.
Together with volunteers, our cities and towns are ready to offer assistance
in sealing rooms in the homes of senior citizens, the physically and mentally
handicapped, in accordance with the instructions of the Civil Defense and
Home Front Command. { With many of our mentally-ill living under bridges
this could be rough}
-
- Israel's municipalities are in constant contact with
all the authorized regional and national security forces. All the relevant
personnel in positions of responsibility will be given training and they
are on call 24 hours a day to assist the public when necessary. {Phew,
good. Our city council has relegated all decisions to the city manager
so we only have one guy to train} Israeli News Agency..Joel Leyden
-
- Israel is smaller than the state of New Hampshire with
approximately 5 million people. We give them approximately 3 billion a
year plus military equipment. Recently they asked for 14 billion more due
to bad times! Obviously they've spent this money (besides military stuff)
well in preparing things for their citizens.
-
- The Shelter...Keep the shelter clean. The shelter's
door and windows must be looked after to prevent rust and make sure that
the rubber seals are intact. Check the ventilation pipes and water containers
for cleanliness. The entrance must not be blocked. Make sure the electricity
is working. The shelter in a high rise must have rescue and emergency equipment
including a pick, a spade, and a crowbar and a 20-m long piece of rope.
-
- If the shelter is adjacent to the house, it may be prepared
for chemical and biological attacks by sealing it. A ventilation and filtering
system should be installed. In high-rise buildings each apartment must
have a key to the shelter. In buildings where there are no shelters it
is necessary to continue using the "sealed rooms" by replacing
the windows with blast-proof and shatter proof glass, reinforcing doors
and frames, reinforcing walls. In this room put: protective kits (gas masks),
sealing materials, food, water, flashlight, first aid kit, fire extinguisher,
transistor radio and if possible TV. WARNING: ALL GAS MASK KITS MUST HAVE
BEEN ISSUED SINCE JAN. 2002. IF YOUR GAS MASK KIT WAS ISSUED PRIOR TO 2002,
PLEASE CALL ONE OF THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS BELOW TO VERIFY IF YOUR KIT MUST
BE EXCHANGED.
-
- (Now we're not going to have to worry about any
of these directions having no shelters in high rise buildings or sealed
rooms and most especially not gas masks.)
-
- What To Do In Shooting Accidents:
-
- When an explosion is heard, take cover behind a wall
or stone fence. Lie on the ground and protect your head with your arms.
-
- When traveling in a car---stop at the side of the road,
take cover behind a wall or stone fence.
- After waiting a few minutes, take cover inside a nearby
building. Listen to your radio for further directions. If you are inside
a building lie on the ground close to an interior wall, or enter a protected
space. Keep away from glass windows. Remain in the house and listen to
your radio for further instructions by the security forces. (We can do
this!)
-
- What To Do When the Siren Sounds: The sound of the siren
is an ascending and descending sound. Immediate action must be taken. Shut
down all electrical appliances and air conditioners and close all water
and gas taps in the home. Get into the Protected Space, easy to reach shelter,
or sealed room and don't forget your protective kit (gas mask). Do not
put mask on unless you receive specific orders from radio or TV. Do not
leave your apartment for shelter unless you can reach it within two minutes.
When inside, seal the door and frame with adhesive tape. The space between
the door and floor should be covered with a wet towel. If you are not at
home put on your protective mask and take cover under any protection as
quickly as possible. Make sure that all members of the family remain awake
while they are wearing protective masks. Keeping calm and keeping up morale
and obeying all guidelines will help all members of the family to better
cope. {With no sirens to warn, and no protective shelters, we could shut
off the coffee pot, the gas and water..guess that would be about it.}
-
- What To Do During A Chemical or Biological Attack.
-
- Whenever a missile falls the IDF checks it out to see
whether it is conventional, chemical or biological. A regional announcement
will be made. Do not remove your mask before express instructions to do
so are given. Do not touch objects and do not use food or water that were
uncovered at the time of the attack. Use only water and food that were
closed inside sealed vessels. Do not eat food that was packed in plastic
bas.
-
- If a decision is made to evacuate announcements will
be made. Pack 2 sets of clothes, including shoes for each member of household
as well as medication and important documents sealed in a nylon bag. Also
prepare thick nylon bags to wrap hands and feet and a battery radio. You
will be directed to transit stations. Chemical....cover body with two sets
of clothes, two long sleeved shirts, two pairs of long pants, socks...cover
shoes and hands with nylon bags. Make sure the protective mask is hermetically
sealed. In case of biological attack the security forces will distribute
medications. This will be announced over media. Be careful to take the
medication distributed to the houses before leaving. Do not remove protective
clothing while traveling in the area threatened. Do not use private car
it may be contaminated. Tourists can apply to the Tourism Ministry for
masks. (Well, with no masks, no sense us donning two sets of clothes....and
with no evacuation plan-or stocked shelters we may as well just go about
our daily routines) It is absolutely irresponsible and unconscionable that
our government has spared no expense of OUR tax dollars to build themselves
safe--sealed--warm sumptuous installations and insult us with the insanity
of a color code and Tips program!! Americans should be outraged!! Israel
has taken every precaution for their citizens, including gas masks for
children. Any crisis here and we would have only mass panic and confusion.
Thank you !!!)
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