Watch Jefferson CountyShelter In Place
Posted February 18th, 2006 by Neal
WASHINGTON -- Local governments now warn that in the event of a major terrorism incident, people in the Washington, D.C., area will likely be advised to do what's called "shelter in place."
"Shelter in place" means that in the event of an incident such as the derailment of a train carrying poisonous chemicals or chemical attack, people would be ordered to stay inside for an unspecified amount of time.
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Comments
Will They Listen?
If there is a chemical, biological or radiological (CBR) incident, accidental or terrorist in origin, in a metro area to our East or North, and the local government is able to enforce a shelter in place policy, then there is little risk of contact contamination or overwhelming the resources in our county.
Human nature being what it is, a terrorist incident or a serious/prolonged accidental incident will certainly cause most residents of the impacted area to attempt to flee to a "safer area." This type of mass evacuation will require extraordinary traffic control efforts to direct traffic away from residential areas and into designated containment areas to receive appropriate services and minimize the risk of cross contamination to area residents.
Difficult decisions will need to be made at a level of speed and certainty rarely seen in government. If sheer numbers or degree/type of contamination exceed local resources for decontamination of persons and vehicles, for medical treatment or standard evacuee needs for food, water, shelter and safety, then the area will need to be managed as a "pass-thru area only," with traffic being strictly channeled to main roads away from the county.
In the event of a contagious biological incident, traffic may have to be fully blocked from entering the county to preclude further spread of disease, while protecting LE at barricades from contamination and managing the daily load of calls at the same time - an almost insurmountable task!
"All that is needed for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing." E. Burke (1729-1797)
Shelter in Place ... On Paper It Sounds Great ...
In reality - no freakin' way. The government wants me to sit like a duck and die! I plan to be the first out of town baby! Be ready ... readier than a boy scout. Have a full tank of gas, a powerful 4x4 truck with mud and snow tires, and head west!!! Camping gear and a hunting rifle ... and oh yeah, my loved ones too! We're talkin' survival here! Survival of the smartest, quickest, and most prepared. (And like the president will stick around town in the event of such an emergency???)
We May Not Have A Choice
Shelter-In-Place (S-I-P) is used for immediate protection from danger...when mass evacuation is not an option...
The idea that we will have enough notice to get-out of harms way, collect the kids, & get supplies in a terrorist, Bio, Chem or Nuc incident in most circumstances is unrealistic. For a large number of people the only option they will have is to shelter in place - at their workplace, and in the schools for the children...
A terrorist event is most likely to occur on a weekeday while we are at work and the kids are at school...which would create the most kaos and the most casualties.
An accidental event could happen anytime...
An incident occuring in DC is not our only threat...we have a nuclear facility in Harrisburg, and plenty of trains & trucks carrying chemicals that travel through our area....all the time....
Either way people need to be prepared to S-I-P if necessary, especially at their work places and in vehicles...We May Not Have A Choice....