Volume 40 – Issue 3 (Fall/Winter 2007) When a stroke -- or brain attack -- first hits, many people don't even Act F.A.S.T. recognize the symptoms and do not immediately call 9-1-1. Ask the person to smile. In fact, a recent National Stroke F Association survey reports 1 in 3 Does one side of the Americans cannot name a single FACE face droop? symptom a person might experience while having a stroke. Ask the person to raise both arms. Every minute counts for stroke A patients and acting F.A.S.T. can Does one arm drift lead patients to the stroke ARMS downward? treatments they desperately need. Ask the person to Triaging Signs & Symptoms of The most effective stroke repeat a simple treatments are only available if S sentence. the stroke is recognized and

STROKE diagnosed within the first three SPEECH Are the words hours of the first symptoms. slurred? Can he/she Actually, many Americans are not repeat the sentence aware that stroke patients may correctly? not be eligible for stroke treatments if they arrive at the If the person shows hospital after the three-hour any of these window. T symptoms, time is important. If you think someone may be TIME having a stroke, the National Call 911 or get to the Stroke Association urges you to hospital fast. Brain A new National Stroke act F.A.S.T. and do this simple cells are dying. Association study shows most test: Americans do not treat stroke as an emergency. Signs, as those shown above, are what you, the observer, perceives.

Symptoms are what the patient perceives. The patient may or may not be aware that they are

experiencing a stroke. If they are alert, they may experience the following symptoms and should immediately call 911:

 Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body.

(Continued on next page)

4 TACDA Journal of ™

(Continued from previous page)

 Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.

 Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

 Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

 Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Dr. Dawn Kleindorfer: Assistant professor of Neurology, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine

“Understanding the warning signs is important because there are treatments we can give for stroke. If you understand the warning signs and get to the hospital Also, brief occlusion from intrinsic This requires a tremendous quickly we can even possibly arterial vasospasm or from number of intact cerebral circuits reverse the stroke itself.” unusual head/ neck positioning or and healthy neurons and is trauma can present the same or generally reliable and fool-proof.” similar symptoms as a stroke Dr. Gerald Looney: TACDA The following are some of the Board of Directors (called a transient ischemic attack, or TIA), but clears rapidly signs & symptoms of a possible hemorrhagic stroke: “These signs are suggestive of, before permanent damage and but not necessarily diagnostic of, cell death occurs in cerebral  Headache, often severe and a stroke. It is taken that tissue. In my experience, one of sudden onset finding them in a patient certainly the best rapid assessments is the  Severe and sudden vertigo calls for further evaluation as ancient finger-to-nose test with  Nausea and/or vomiting rapidly as feasible. eyes closed.  Seizures  An altered level of

A stroke occurs when ANY area consciousness of the brain is damaged, and  Intolerance of bright lights some areas of damage may not  Difficulty expressing thoughts, produce these signs. Also, the or understanding others schematic here shows only  Weakness on one or both OCCLUSIVE stroke (blockage of sides of body an artery by intrinsic clot, or  Abnormal eye movements embolus from elsewhere) and  Loss of coordination omits the equally probable HEMORRHAGIC stroke when an TACDA hopes these reminders aneurysm or artery wall will help you recognize and seek breaks/tears and allows blood to treatment for a possible stroke, in flood into and over adjacent brain a timely manner. tissue.

5 Volume 40 – Issue 3 (Fall/Winter 2007) Initiate rescue attempts only if you  Clear the Airway believe your fire or police  If spontaneous breathing does department is unable to respond not occur, Initiate CPR in a reasonable length of time.  Control severe bleeding  Stabilize the spine and neck Call for help  Treat for Shock

Professional emergency response You may find yourself in a teams (ERT) have been trained in situation where CPR, though rescue and first aid procedures. needed, must be stopped in order Call 911 to activate your local to perform other life saving EMS system as soon as possible. procedures on victims who are In some types of disasters, your more likely to survive. Request regular phones may not function. help from bystanders who may be Triaging a Localized, If your neighborhood has made able to continue performing CPR Neighborhood Disaster the proper preparations, there will while you attend to other victims. be several people in your vicinity

with alternative communication Account for the condition Study TACDA academy lesson capabilities. #1, The Psychology of Civil and location of people in the

Defense, found on the TACDA neighborhood web site, for help in forming a Rescue people whose lives neighborhood organization. Post- are threatened After immediate life saving event survival is dependant upon procedures have been completed, the preparations we make before In some disasters, such as in proceed through your the disaster occurs. large earthquakes, your local ERT neighborhood looking for other may not be able to respond in victims. If you are acquainted time to initiate the necessasry with your neighbors, and have rescue procedures. People often formed a neighborhood hisitate to move an injured victim, organization, you can quickly for fear of agrivating their injury. locate and assist the injured, Victims who are in danger of elderly, handicapped and families further injury, however, such as with small children. Colored from fire or drowing, must be ribbons or cards should have moved to a safer location. If been pre-designated to be hung spinal injuries are suspected, take on , to indicate which homes care to support the back and neck have people in need of of the injured individual. assistance. Be sure that you consult with your local EMS, Don't become a victim Provide first aid before assigning colors, as you may have assigned colors that In every situation, your first Triaging the injured becomes conflict with their plan. concern should be for your own necessary when there are large safety. You will not be of numbers of victims. Basic first aid Provide emergency water, assistance to those in need if you must be given in a logical and food, clothing, and housing become a victim of the very prioritized manner. Life disaster you are trying to mediate. threatening injuries must be Quickly asess the safest location In fact, you could become part of assessed and treated first. If the for shelterng the victims and the problem. Watch for downed number of rescuers is limited, those who have been left power lines, sharp objects, quick decisions must be made in homeless. Encourage the families chemicals, fire, unstable footing, order to maximize the number of to bring their 72-hour kits and as etc. survivors. (Continued on next page)

6 TACDA Journal of Civil Defense™ (Continued from previous page)

much clean drinking water as Mobs and gangs will quickly form  magnitude of the emergency. possible to the shelter. Gather to loot and cause further chaos.  Names of any injured, missing blankets, extra clothing and food There is safety in numbers. If or dead, and contact where it is safe to do so. possible, gather your trusted information for their next of neighbors into a smaller number kin. Restore normal living of locations.  Exact location and extent of conditions as quickly as property damage. possible Fortify social, emotional, and  Number of persons needed to spiritual strength provide assistance and Assign people to cook in mass. specific tasks to be done. Use perishables from the Support and comfort one another.  Number of people who need refrigerators first, then food from A 2007 ABC News poll indicates skilled medical help. the freezers, and then canned that approximately 83% of the  Actions being taken to help foods and non-perishables. population of the United States those in distress. identify themselves as believers in  Number of members available Prevent or limit property God. Do not hesitate to pray to provide assistance, damage together for your spiritual comfort. including those with specific skills. If the neighborhood orgaization is Be able to report to the next  Assistance needed that is functioning, people will have been higher organization level the unavailable in the pre-assigned, if necessary, to turn following information: neighborhood affected, including medicine, food, off the natural gas and water to water, clothing, shelter, or the damaged homes.  Your name, address, and how fuel. you can be reached.

Secure and protect assets  Description, location, and

7 Volume 40 – Issue 3 (Fall/Winter 2007)

The METTAG MT-137, introduced in 1976, is the original triage tag recognized as the standard for the US Military, fire departments, and emergency medical technicians (EMT) throughout the country. As a nationally recognized emergency tool, METTAG has been the choice for each of the Olympic Games on US soil (Lake By Trey Edwards He determined that battle patients Placid – 1980, Los Angeles – Director of Operations needed to be evaluated by the 1984, Atlanta – 1996, and Salt TACDA and METTAG Products severity of their injury, not by Lake – 2002). rank, in order to increase the I joined the TACDA and METTAG number of survivors. His method METTAG receives numerous team in January of 2005. Brought worked, and more lives were requests for MT-137 Triage Tags on as a consultant for design and saved. with this comment written in bold: business development, my "NO SUBSTITUTES" The term “Maximize Survivors” primary duties were to update the became the obvious choice for look for TACDA and METTAG, What makes the METTAG MT- the motto added to the new including new logos, websites, 137 the preferred choice for over METTAG logo. and the Journal of Civil Defense. 30 years?

Over the past few years I have been privileged to be on the front lines of compiling the education resources and information

TACDA and METTAG have developed over the decades for our members and clients. Much of this information was overwhelming at first, but I soon developed a sincere interest in triage and learning to help in a

Mass Casualty Incident (MCI).

My fascination with METTAG began early as I started researching triage. Merriam-

Webster's Medical Dictionary defines triage as “the sorting of, and allocation of, treatment to patients, especially battle and disaster victims, according to a system of priorities designed to maximize the number of survivors.” The origin of modern triage has been attributed to

Dominique Jean Larrey, a french battlefield surgeon in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, under the command of Napoleon. (Continued on next page) 8 TACDA Journal of Civil Defense™

(Continued from previous page) Learning to be calm and helpful in The tags colors are on perforated response to an emergency is an sections that can be torn off and The MT-137 has been tested and acquired skill; you are not born discarded, or saved for recording. developed under scrutiny of with it. The first crucial factor is As you tear off a colored section, doctors, nurses, firefighters, knowledge of what to do in an the color left at the bottom of the rescue personnel, industrial safety emergency. First aid, CPR, and tag is the designated triage level experts, travel safety directors, first response training courses are of the victim. For example, tear off and civil defense specialists. The readily available and essential to the Green section to designate original METTAG MT-137 Triage saving lives. Remember that Yellow. Tear off Green and Tag, with its use of symbols, is triage is not taking care of an Yellow to designate Red. the only triage tag that maintains individual victim. Triage is quickly a simple, effective design perfect and safely assessing the entire Please note that unless you are for the most expedient triage group of casualties to pave the professionally trained to situations. Competition for the way for those with skills to treat determine a dying or dead victim, triage market has grown over the those in need. it may be difficult to accept the past few decades, with new responsibility of giving someone a advanced designs attempting to As a result of my triage education Black triage tag. Be reassured inprove the original METTAG. and research, I have grown the triage process explained later Many of these attempted confident that I could and would should help you overcome this improvements have a tendency to use these tested and proven difficulty. complicate their effectiveness and techniques in an emergency require additional training for their situation. Here is a possible scenario. I am use. The need for a simple and the first one on the scene of a effective triage tag, free from The Newport Beach Marine and Mass Casualty Incident (MCI). language barriers, will always Fire Department has helped My first step is to quickly exist. METTAG is committed to simplify the triage process even determine what took place and keeping the MT-137's 30 year old further by taking the fundamentals make sure the area is safe. Has proven design as close to the of triage and creating Simple the structure been compromised? original as possible, with great Triage and Rapid Treatment Are there downed power lines? Is appreciation for the professionals (START). The START layout has there risk of fire or explosion or for whom it was developed. been widely accepted, and works danger from hazardous

with essentially any triage tag, materials? Recognizing the One obstacle I needed to including METTAGs. dangers, assessing the risks and overcome involved the acting appropriately will prevent psychological aspects of triage. Triage tags provide color codes me from adding to the over all At any time, and in any place, I to designate the urgency of the problem by becoming a victim, could be involved in a mass victim: myself. I must remain calm, think casualty situation, either as a before I act, and remember the victim or as a witness. My Black — Dead or expected to basics of risk assessment; knowledge of triage could be die. No treatment will change examining the consequences of extremely beneficial to the condition. working in that environment. situation.

Red — Immediate or primary The next step is to locate up to In any mass casualty event, there care needed. Treated first. three (3) bystanders, if they are will be those who will survive Yellow — Delayed or available, look directly into their without help and some who will secondary care needed. Treated eyes and say calmly and directly: die even with quality intervention. after Red. “You!...You!...You! Call 9-1-1 However, there are those that my now. Get help. Come back and skills and quick response will Green — Minor or minimal tell me when you’ve done it. save. The primary focus of triage care needed. Also called “Walking Ok?” is to find those people Wounded.” May be used to call 9- expediently. 1-1 or provide other assistance. (Continued on next page) 9 Volume 40 – Issue 3 (Fall/Winter 2007) spend approximately 30 seconds  If greater than two (2) (Continued from previous page) with each person. seconds, Red tag. Move I must know that more help is on on to next victim. the way. If there are no available  If less than two seconds, bystanders, I will look for the proceed to Being Alert "walking wounded" (those with check. minor injuries who may be able to assist with the triage process until NOTE: The US National Library of Medicine calls this a “capillary refill" more help arrives). or “nail blanch” test. Use the finger on the forehead technique if the patient is I shout in a calm and direct wearing nailpolish. If the circulatory manner: system is working well, the nailbed or "Listen!…Listen!…Listen! forehead area will return to color in With each victim, I will check the under two seconds. Anyone that can hear my voice, come to the sound of my voice following (in order): Being Alert / Mental Status or go to (a location I have pre- A. Is the victim alert? Ask the determined to be safe)." Breathing / Respiration  Is the victim breathing? victim their name and what happened. Everyone who moves to that area o If not breathing, open their airway o If there is no response or it is a Green triage tag victim. is inappropriate, Red tag. They’re the “walking wounded.”  Tilt head & Lift jaw  Remove foreign material Move on to next victim. I will place Green triage tags on (have latex or nitrile o If they answer appro- each of these people and, if gloves, if available) priately, Yellow tag. Move necessary, have up to three (3) of  Are they breathing now? on to next victim. them call 9-1-1 for more help (if I o If yes, Red tag. am unable to locate available The process may seem bystanders). o If no, Black tag. Move on to next victim. overwhelming at first. Don't give up! The triage process is actually I may use a “walking wounded”  If they are breathing without assistance, is it more than 30 very simple and easy to or bystander to assist with remember. It is up to you to take controlling bleeding, if they are times per minute (once every two seconds)? the first step by becoming available and it is necessary. If, educated in triage principals. o If yes, Red tag. Move on for any reason, it is not possible to START now, to learn how to to next victim. control the bleeding, then the MAXIMIZE SURVIVORS in the o If no, proceed to Blood victim may require a Black tag, event of a Mass Casualty Incident Circulation check. but Red may be used. It is very (MCI). important to remember that these Blood Circulation / Perfusion are tested and proven guidelines, I welcome your questions and  Does the victim have a pulse? but it is entirely acceptable to comments on triage or any civil o If pulse is clearly present, label a potential Black victim with defense or preparedness topic. proceed to Being Alert a Red tag...and this works with Please call 1-800-425-5397 or check. the order of the colors on the email me at [email protected] or o If pulse is not clearly tags. I would rather tag someone [email protected]. present, check for blood

Red than miss-tag someone circulation. Take care and thank you for Black.  Squeeze their fingernail choosing TACDA and METTAG. until the nailbed whitens

Now I may proceed (only if it is (or press a finger on their safe) to enter the area where the forehead until the area rest of the victims are located. I whitens). will methodically sweep the room,  Let go and count how Trey Edwards checking each victim quickly and long it takes to darken. Director of Operations 10 TACDA Journal of Civil Defense™

11

Volume 40 – Issue 3 (Fall/Winter 2007) direction. If possible, drive north nearby expedient shelter such or south of the assumed target. as a mine or . See Your vehicle may be disabled TACDA lesson #3 for from the EMP. In that event, try expedient sheltering ideas. removing the battery cables for a few moments and then  Gather your family and leave reattaching them. During EMP the area immediately. Drive to simulations, disabled vehicles your ‘safe place’. were able to start after doing that procedure.  DO NOT take time to turn off gas or water to your home, or It is most probable that the enemy gather other supplies. Time is would initiate an attack during our of the essence. If you are nighttime hours. Make an EMP within 5 miles of a target, your TRIAGE IN A FULL SCALE alarm that will awaken you when home will be destroyed in the the power fails, and test for EMP blast and you would be NUCLEAR ATTACK in every instance of power failure. severely injured or killed if you Never allow the gas in your car to stayed in your home. By Sharon Packer go below the half way level. [email protected] Study the TACDA Academy  Many cars will be disabled lessons #2 and #5 on Weapons from the EMP and freeways It is likely that a nuclear attack Effects and EMP. may be clogged. Plan several would be initiated by an electro routes leading away from the magnetic pulse (EMP). It is our Less than 25 minute scenario: target zone, before such an belief that the general public will If you live near either coast, you event occurs. receive no warning of a full-scale may have just a few minutes nuclear attack. There is no warning time from the EMP.  As mentioned earlier, if warning system in place and there Assume there will be a missile possible, drive north or south of would not be time for our attack following the EMP. Take the blast targets, to limit fallout emergency broadcasting system shelter immediately. If you live exposure. If you are able to to relay this information. well outside a target zone, follow travel at least 10 miles away the appropriate directions below. from the target area before the The power drop from the EMP blast occurs, the overpressure could give us valuable minutes to Twenty-five Minute Scenario: from the blast will drop to the prepare for the potential attack. Consider the following scenarios, one-psi range and the blast Every instance of power failure assuming: there has been a winds will be less than 35 mph. should be tested for the possibility confirmed EMP or an eminent of an EMP. People living outside attack warning; you have at least  As you drive, have your the zone of blast could have 25 minutes to prepare for the passengers cover their side several hours before the arrival of attack; and your car has not been and back windows with dangerous levels of radiation. disabled by an EMP. aluminum foil to help reflect the People living inside blast target thermal pulse. areas in the central to western A. You live within 5 miles of a part of the country could have as blast zone, but have no blast  If you have gasmasks, wear much as a 25-minute “grace time” shelter: them while you drive. The before the first missiles arrive. mask will protect you from How should these people  supplies in your car. biological agents, glass from a prioritize their time? Study fallout maps. Pre- broken windshield and position supplies in a safe inhalation of fallout. You may have no other place with friends who live in alternative except to evacuate. an area that is at least 20 miles  If the blast occurs while you Keep in mind that the fallout cloud outside the blast zone, or will generally follow a west to east (Continued on next page) locate and plan to travel to a 14 TACDA Journal of Civil Defense™

(Continued from previous page)  Quickly cover any broken windows with duct tape and plastic.

 Return to your shelter and begin monitoring radiation levels. If at any time, the radiation level in your shelter exceeds 10 R per hour, add more shielding (Refer to TACDA Academy lesson 6 on Radiation).

C. You live more than 20 miles outside a target zone and do not have a hardened blast shelter:

Well before the event, build a simple in your or in an interior room of your home. Supply the shelter with emergency supplies, non-perishable foods, are driving, do not look in the Remember, we are assuming clothing and sanitary supplies. direction of the fireball, as it you have 25 minutes warning Study TACDA Academy lesson could damage your eyes. from the EMP. #3 on sheltering. Gather your Continue driving to your safe family, reminding them not to location.  Immediately send your family look in the direction of the to your shelter and have them blast. Send small children to B. You live between 5 and 20 take a blast position. Begin the shelter under the miles outside a target zone taking a ‘Thyroid Blocking supervision of an older child or and do not have a hardened Agent’. Follow the instructions adult. Take a ‘Thyroid Blocking blast shelter: on the bottle. Agent', following the instruct- ions on the bottle. If you are If you live in the 5 to 10 mile  An adult will do the following: well out of the blast zone, one range, your best option is to adult may choose to continue evacuate. Your home will not o Quickly close all blinds and with the following preparations survive at the 5-mile range, drapes in your home against until the attack commences: and you cannot trust that the the thermal pulse. missile will be exactly on o Turn off your gas and water.  Close drapes and blinds. This target. Missiles from a full- o Lock all exterior doors. will protect your home from the scale attack will most probably o Do not take time to further thermal pulse, and discourage come from the north or east any other preparations. looters. and if they miss, will normally o Return immediately to your fall short of their intended shelter.  Do not leave the immediate target. Plan evacuation routes area of your home for any accordingly.  After the blast, wait 30 reason. minutes. Have one adult check If you live in the 10 to 20 mile the house and extinguish fires  Turn on one small, battery-

range, you may survive in a that may have been initiated by (Continued on next page) basement fallout shelter. the thermal pulse. 15 Volume 40 – Issue 3 (Fall/Winter 2007) (Continued from previous page)  Bring a shovel, ax and chain  Remind them to take and hold

 powered radio and listen for saw into your basement. a blast position in a hammock the emergency broadcasting  Retrieve tools and other or bunk. station. Though unlikely, some valuable items out of your stations may still function. garage and out buildings and  Begin taking a ‘Thyroid take them to your basement. Blocking Agent’. Follow the  Gather last minute supplies, instructions on the bottle. such as bedding and a 2-week  Lock all vehicles and secure change of clothing. them in the garage. Remove  Do not take time to gather batteries from all vehicles and other supplies or food or make  Fill all tubs, basins, and empty store them in the basement. other preparations. containers (preferably with lids) with water.  Secure animals in the barn or  If you live in the central part of garage with a two-week supply the country and have adequate  Place all food from the of food and water. Do not EMP warning take a few refrigerator into a cooler, and bring pets into your home or minutes to do the following: take it to the shelter. Leave the shelter. Dogs will cause refrigerator open and sanitation problems and if they o Turn off the gas and water to place a stack of newspapers are allowed to come in and out your home. inside to prevent mildew. of the home, they may o Lock and secure your home. introduce a source of radiation o Close your curtains and  Leave freezer foods inside the or disease. A barking dog will blinds. freezer with the door closed. also draw the attention of o Enter and lock yourself into Freezer foods should stay looters. the shelter frozen for several days, after o Turn off the air supply to the which radiation levels will have  Cover all outside fuel sources shelter (this heavy fallen to a level that would be (firewood and coal) with plastic. dust and fallout from safe to leave the shelter and contaminating your filters). retrieve and consume, or  Cover all furniture, carpets, o Lie down in a hammock or dispose of the food. and rugs with plastic or sheets. bunk (this protects your legs and body from ground  Dig a 24” deep hole in your  Board up and lock all windows shock). backyard, downhill from your and doors and prepare to o From your prone position, water supply and future garden defend your location. charge your dosimeters and spots, for waste disposal. pass them to your family.  If there is still time, you may o One hour after the blast,  If sheltering in the basement, want to cover a garden spot activate your radiation meters fill all window with dirt, with plastic sheeting. and start a written record. sand or other dense materials. o Do not leave your hammocks  If you are certain you are well except to use the bathroom.  Close chimney dampers. out of the blast zone, climb to Remain in your hammocks the roof of the house and cover for several hours after the  Charge your dosimeters. the chimney and air conditioner blast. Place batteries in your with duct tape and plastic. o Assuming you have planned radiation meter. for at least 88 cubic feet of D. You have a blast shelter, and open space per person, do  Bring radios and other critical live in a blast zone: not ventilate the shelter for 5 electrical equipment to the hours. Dust, fallout and shelter. Do not remove radios  Gather your family and send smoke will clog your valuable or other electrical supplies from them to the shelter. Remind filters if you ventilate during their faraday cages until well them to turn on only 2 small that time. Before ventilating, after the attack. 12-volt lights. connect the hose to the filter casing. 16 TACDA Journal of Civil Defense™ and the announcement “A devastating electromagnetic pulse (EMP) has destroyed power, communications and other electrical and electronic systems throughout much of the country.” All persons are advised to take cover in or other protected areas. Please stay tuned to this station for further news and emergency information.” The only EMP hardened radio station in your area has just defined your future.

Do you understand the implications of what has just happened? Do you have the knowledge, skills and tools to take care of yourself, family and others? Will you be part of the problem or part of the solution and courageously take part in rebuilding the country? The answer will depend on what you have done to prepare for this event.

The purpose of this article is to you hear from the phone and your educate and motivate. What is an By Jonathan B. and heart sinks. “Stupid phones!” you EMP? What are the possible Kylene Anne Jones mutter as you drop the handset implications? How can I prepare back in the cradle. Puzzle pieces for an EMP? How do I respond if It is a cold January evening. You begin to come together as you an EMP occurs? are working late at the office, sink back into your chair. You frantically trying to complete a grab the radio you use while What is an EMP? major project when your computer walking to work each day and run crashes and the lights go out. through the presets. Hoping to An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) Fumbling through your desk you hear music or even commercials, is generated when a nuclear locate a flashlight you had your worst fears are confirmed as weapon is detonated in the stashed “just in case”. With the you hear nothing. Panic grips atmosphere. The higher the aid of a little light, you make your your heart as the last puzzle piece denotation occurs, the larger the way to the windows hoping to see drops in place. Grabbing your area affected. Detonations at an the extent of the outage. Your coat, you bound down three altitude of 40 kilometers (about 25 frustration turns to despair as you flights of stairs and run the six miles) or higher are generally look out and see nothing but the blocks home. referred to as High-Altitude EMP wind driven snow in the or HEMP. For purposes of this moonlight. The entire city is in a You hit the “Scan” button on the article, I will generically use EMP state of complete darkness. radio as you race home. After to cover HEMP also. EMP effects what seems like eternal silence, are based on “line-of-sight.” One You decide to call your family to your greatest fears are confirmed detonated 200 tell them you will be even later with the Emergency Broadcast miles above the earth could cause than expected. Dead silence is all System’s annoying alert tones (Continued on next page) 17 Volume 40 – Issue 3 (Fall/Winter 2007) What are the possible implications seeds. Consider ways that you (Continued from previous page) of an EMP? There are two will be able to cook some of the serious damage across the entire general scenarios in which an foods you store. There are continental United States. Even if EMP will occur. One is as an act many good options including an EMP occurred in only a portion of terrorism, similar to “9-11”, only propane, charcoal, alcohol and of the country, there will most on a much larger scale. The my favorite: cooking with the likely be a ripple effect impacting second is as a precursor to sun. the rest of the nation. something much more dangerous. Military strategists for decades  Consider sheltering options. This strong electrical energy pulse have assumed that any large Sheltering in or very near your is collected by metallic pipes, scale military action (particularly a home is preferable if you have, wires, cables, conduits, or other nuclear assault) would be or can reasonably build, a “antennae” much like a radio preceded by an EMP to disable workable (hardened?) shelter. signal is collected by a radio communications, create (Visit the TACDA Academy or antenna or lightning by a lightning commotion, and diminish the other resources for further rod. High voltages and currents ability of the military to respond shelter information). Your are induced that destroy many effectively. In either case, life as shelter should be stocked with types of electrical and electronic we know it will drastically change. necessities and things to pass devices and systems, including time such as games, books, the power grid, communications, Individuals and families have very movies, hobbies, projects, etc. computers and many other little control over these events. systems that run our world. Our nation has not effectively  Develop a prioritized list of Lightning and surge protectors dealt with this or other serious things to be accomplished in are generally ineffective in threats. It is critically important the short time that you may protecting against EMP. that we take a defensive have after an EMP, in the approach and make necessary event a more serious attack is Although not directly harmful to preparations that will provide to follow. Review this list with humans, the indirect effects of an protection during these your household members EMP will be devastating to challenging times. regularly so everyone society. The United States is the understands what needs to be most technologically advanced How can I prepare for an EMP? done. Select a “chain of nation on earth making it the most command” so that someone vulnerable nation on earth. Our The window of opportunity to will be effectively directing the adversaries understand this and prepare is now, before an EMP effort. are actively seeking opportunities occurs. Review the following list, to improve their ability to inflict an decide where you need to  Provide for alternative EMP on us. Transportation will improve and get to work making sanitation inasmuch as water be severely hampered. Power those preparations: and sewer systems will likely and communications systems will be inoperable. A little creativity be disabled. Our ability to  Build a supply of water and and research will yield some produce, refrigerate and distribute food. Store at least a two week good solutions, although they food and necessities will be supply of water, more if at all will not be as “nice” as the almost obliterated. Hospitals and possible. Purchase equipment methods to which we are health care facilities may be to purify water and understand accustomed. inoperable. The ability to produce the principles behind creating clean drinking water and manage safe drinking water. Start with  Build or purchase (if you can human and other waste will be a three month supply of foods find one) a power loss alarm severely hampered. Our that you normally eat. Keep that will alert you when grid vulnerability to disease and death building until you have at least power is lost. When this alarm will increase dramatically. one year of basic provisions sounds; check a phone for dial Indeed, our world, as we know it, that provide energy, nutrition, tone and check several, will be dramatically altered. and emotional satisfaction. particularly non-hardened,

Remember to include garden (Continued on next page) 18 TACDA Journal of Civil Defense™ (Continued from previous page) providing protection against large numbers of people seeking

radio stations with a battery EMP, but they are beyond the limited resources. If you are powered radio. If all is normal, scope of this article. You can lucky, you may survive. It will be go back to bed or whatever you search the internet for topics extremely difficult. If you choose were doing, unless it requires such as “EMP protection” or not to prepare, you are part of the electricity, as so many things “grounding systems”. problem. Don’t count on do. If your tests suggest an government organizations or EMP, an adrenalin rush will  Make provisions for back-up charity of others to save you. follow and the next section of energy supplies. This might this article becomes important. include generators, solar In contrast, if you have prepared modules, and/or wind turbines by creating a comprehensive plan  Invest in a variety of good protected in Faraday cages. and implementing preparedness radios. I suggest a police Energy from these devices and objectives, an EMP and whatever scanner, a shortwave radio, other such generators of follows will be inconvenient and GMRS Radios, CB Radios, electricity can be stored in a somewhat challenging, but amateur (HAM) radio gear, and battery bank and used directly chances are good you will of course a good AM/FM radio. or through an inverter to create survive. Produce a prioritized Having weather band is nice “household power”. I also task list so you will know exactly and I strongly recommend the suggest that you properly store what needs to be accomplished, if NOAA Weather/All Hazard a safe quantity of fuels. time allows, before seeking Alert capability. You can add shelter. This will provide you with or subtract as you decide what  Keep bicycles and other tremendous advantages in getting works for you. In an alternative means of through the crisis. Once your emergency situation, it is transportation in good repair critical resources are where you certainly nice, and perhaps and have extra parts on hand need them, you can focus on essential, to have good to make repairs when making the best of a bad information available to you. It necessary. Consider having a situation. You will be part of the is also extremely helpful to be quality trailer that will attach to solution as you reach out to able to talk to others, close to your bike. others and ease their burdens. home or half way around the Enlist those around you to world.  Invest in a variety of good courageously create order and tools. Include a radiation rebuild lives.  Generally speaking, and survey meter and dosimeter in especially in an escalating this list of tools. Conclusion crisis, keep radios disconnected from grid energy How do I respond to an EMP? The threat of an EMP is real. sources and keep antennas Many argue it is more a matter of disconnected or collapsed If you do not already have when it will happen than if it will down. Cords should be wound preparations in place, use your happen. Several of our enemies into a small coil. Use only one time and resources to meet the have the ability to accomplish an radio system at a time, making basic needs for food, water, EMP strike today, sending our sure that other systems are shelter, sanitation, and nation immediately into third world protected. Radios and other communication. After an EMP status. The effect would be electronic components, event, you will be competing with devastating. Our best defense including spare parts, should lies in our personal preparations. be protected by putting them in Make a plan today and take the a Faraday cage such as an old necessary steps to accomplish it. microwave that has the cord In the words of John Greenleaf cut off, a metal can and metal Whittier, “For all sad words of lid that make good electrical tongue and pen, The saddest are contact, or other appropriate these, ‘It might have been’.” I Faraday cage designs. There challenge you to take action now are other possible ways of before it is too late. 19 Volume 40 – Issue 3 (Fall/Winter 2007)

Short Wave Radio Emergency Frequencies

Shortwave radios come in many Band oriented radios are less A good source of interesting band lengths and frequency expensive and do not have frequencies can be found in the ranges. The greater the frequency continuous coverage or single magazine, MONITORING TIMES range, the more stations the radio sideband capabilities. They are (www.monitoringtimes.com). An- can potentially receive. Some of usually oriented to am and fm other great source is the web site the most interesting listening, for frequencies. They might receive www.radioreference.com. emergency purposes, can only be frequencies in the range of 4 or 5 reached via radios with megahertz and then skip to 15 The following is an excellent list of ‘continuous coverage’ and ‘single megahertz, leaving out many emergency frequencies. These sideband’ capabilities. Single side other important frequencies in frequencies can only be accessed band frequencies will be followed between. A band-oriented radio by radios with continuous by the designation (USB), might also be designated as a 7- coverage and single side band meaning upper side band, or band or 9-band radio. capability. (LSB) meaning lower side band.

The type of display determines We hope you incorporate a For continuous coverage with how precisely the radio can be shortwave radio into your single side band capability, an tuned. Analog tuning is less emergency supplies, and learn to excellent radio is the Sangean expensive and less accurate. use this valuable tool. ATS 909 Shortwave Radio, which They are harder to tune to a can be purchased for $249 from specific frequency. Digital tuning CCrane.com. Their technicians Shortwave Emergency is more accurate and allows you are very helpful, and they can be to enter the frequency you want to Frequencies reached at (800)-522-8863. monitor. A digital display Remember to keep your radios FEMA National Network indicates exactly which frequency stored in a faraday cage when not Frequencies you have tuned. in use. o 5.211 USB

o 10.493 USB Shortwave radios provide o 14.567 USB information and opinions from

around the entire world. Many Military Command and Control countries broadcast in English, o 4.724 USB enabling you to find a country’s o 6.739 USB political position on numerous o 8.992 USB

issues. You can hear news and o 11.175 USB

other programs from a wide range (this is the frequency Hawk and

of sources, and you can get HAM folks listen to)

emergency information by o 13.200 USB 15.016 USB listening to amateur radio o

broadcasts. (Continued on next page)

20 TACDA Journal of Civil Defense™ (Continued from previous page) o 7264.0 LSB o 3923.0 LSB Gulf Coast (health and welfare) These are various frequencies used Mississippi ARES o 7265.0 LSB by the Amateur Emergency Radio o 3925.0 LSB Salvation Army Team Emergency Service (ARES). While these Central Gulf Coast Hurricane Radio (SATERN) (altn) frequencies were specifically used o 3925.0 LSB o 7273.0 LSB during Hurricane Katrina, they can be Louisiana Emergency (altn) Texas ARES (altn) used for other situations than listed: o 3935.0 LSB o 7280.0 LSB Central Gulf Coast Hurricane NTS Region 5 American Red Cross o 3935.0 LSB o 7280.0 LSB (important frequencies to try) Louisiana ARES (health and Louisiana Emergency (altn) o 2802.4 USB welfare) o 7283.0 LSB American Red Cross Disaster o 3935.0 LSB Gulf Coast (outgoing only) o 3171.4 USB Texas ARES (health and welfare) o 7285.0 LSB American Red Cross Disaster o 3935.0 LSB West Gulf ARES Emergency (day) o 5136.4 USB Mississippi ARES (health and o 7285.0 LSB American Red Cross Disaster welfare) Louisiana ARES Emergency (day) o 5141.4 USB o 3935.0 LSB o 7285.0 LSB American Red Cross Disaster Alabama Emergency Mississippi ARES Emergency o 5211.0 USB o 3940.0 LSB o 7285.0 LSB FEMA Southern Florida Emergency Texas ARES Emergency (day) o 5236.0 USB o 3950.0 LSB o 7290.0 LSB SHARES Coordination Network Northern Florida Emergency Central Gulf Coast Hurricane o 6859.5 USB o 3955.0 LSB o 7290.0 LSB American Red Cross Disaster South Texas Emergency Gulf Coast Weather o 7507.0 USB o 3965.0 LSB o 7290.0 LSB USN/USCG hurricane net Alabama Emergency (altn) Texas ARES (health and welfare) o 7550.5 USB o 3967.0 LSB o 7290.0 LSB American Red Cross Disaster Gulf Coast (outgoing traffic) Louisiana ARES (health and (primary) o 3975.0 LSB welfare) (day) o 7698.5 USB Texas RACES o 7290.0 LSB American Red Cross Disaster o 3993.5 LSB Texas ARES (health and welfare) o 9380.0 USB Gulf Coast (health & welfare) o 7290.0 LSB USN/USCG hurricane net o 3995.0 LSB Mississippi ARES (health and o 10493.0 USB Gulf Coast Wx welfare) FEMA o 7225.0 LSB o 14265.0 USB o 14396.5 USB Central Gulf Coast Hurricane Salvation Army Team Emergency SHARES Coordination Network o 7235.0 LSB Radio (SATERN) Louisiana Emergency o 14300.0 USB Amateur HF Gulf Coast o 7235.0 LSB Intercontinental Traffic Hurricane Nets Central Gulf Coast Hurricane o 14300.0 USB o 3845.0 LSB o 7235.0 LSB Maritime Mobile Service Gulf Coast West Hurricane Louisiana Emergency o 14303.0 USB o 3862.5 LSB o 7240.0 LSB International Traffic Mississippi Section Traffic American Red Cross US Gulf o 14313.0 USB o 3873.0 LSB Coast Disaster Intercontinental Traffic (altn) Central Gulf Coast Hurricane o 7240.0 LSB o 14313.0 USB o 3873.0 LSB Texas Emergency Maritime Mobile Service (altn) Louisiana ARES Emergency o 7243.0 LSB o 14316.0 USB (night) Alabama Emergency Health and Welfare o 3873.0 LSB o 7245.0 LSB o 14320.0 USB Texas ARES Emergency (night) Southern Louisiana Health and Welfare o 3873.0 LSB o 7248.0 LSB o 14325.0 USB Mississippi ARES Emergency Texas RACES Hurricane Watch (Amateur-to- o 3910.0 LSB o 7250.0 LSB National Hurricane Center) Mississippi ARES Texas Emergency o 14340.0 USB o 3910.0 LSB o 7260.0 LSB Louisiana (1900) Louisiana Traffic Gulf Coast West Hurricane 21