A Citizen Guide to Disaster Preparedness


Dear Citizens,
Thank you for sending for this vital information about how you can
protect yourself and your family in times of disaster and incidents of
terrorism. This publication is made available by the U.S. General
Services Administration's Federal Citizen Information Center as a public
service to readers of "Dear Abby," the nationally syndicated column to
whom millions of citizens turn for practical advice every day.

This publication, A Citizen Guide to Disaster Preparedness, is part of a
larger package of publications all focused on helping you be better
prepared to deal with important life events. Subjects covered include
money issues such as financial planning and making a will, health issues
such as taking medications properly and avoiding drug interactions,
knowing your rights if you are a citizen with disabilities, and
protecting yourself in the marketplace with the Consumer Action
Handbook. Using the information in these publications will help citizens
lead safer, securer lives every day, as well as if disaster strikes.

We wish to acknowledge the Federal Emergency Management Agency as the
source of the emergency preparedness information contained in this
publication, and to thank "Dear Abby" especially for her extraordinary
service to American citizens by making this offer through her column.
Other partners who have generously provided information include the U.S.
Department of Justice, the Certified Financial Planner Board of
Standards, MetLife, the Council on Family Health, and the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration.

Together, we will be prepared to live in safety and freedom.


Teresa N. Nasif
Director


Table of Contents
Emergency Planning and Disaster Supplies	
Emergency Planning	
Disaster Supply Kits	
Evacuation	
Shelter	
National Security Emergencies	
Terrorism	
Chemical and Biological Weapons	
Nuclear and Radiological attack	
Homeland Security Advisory System	

Emergency Planning and Disaster Supplies

Emergency Planning

Immediately after an emergency, essential services may be cut-off and
local disaster relief and government responders may not be able to reach
you right away. Even if they could reach you, knowing what to do to
protect yourself and your household is essential.
This chapter describes how to prepare for any kind of disaster. It also
provides specific information about emergency water and food, and a
recommended disaster supply kit.


	Creating a disaster plan

One of the most important steps you can take in preparing for
emergencies is to develop a household disaster plan.

1.  Learn about the natural disasters that could occur in your
    community from your local emergency management office or American
    Red Cross chapter. Learn whether hazardous materials are produced,
    stored or transported near your area. Learn about possible 
    consequences of deliberate acts of terror.  Ask how to prepare for 
    each potential emergency and how to respond.

2.  Talk with employers and school officials about their emergency
    response plans.

3.  Talk with your household about potential emergencies and how to
    respond to each. Talk about what you would need to do in an
    evacuation.

4.  Plan how your household would stay in contact if you were
    separated. Identify two meeting places: the first should be near
    your home in case of fire, perhaps a tree or a telephone pole; the 
    second should be away from your neighborhood in case you cannot 
    return home.

5.  Pick a friend or relative who lives out of the area for
    household members to call to say they are okay.

6.  Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each
    room.

7.  Post emergency telephone numbers by telephones. Teach children
    how and when to call 911.

8.  Make sure everyone in your household knows how and when to shut
    off water, gas, and electricity at the main switches. Consult with
    your local utilities if you have questions.

9.  Take a first aid and CPR class. Local American Red Cross
    chapters can provide information. Official certification by the
    American Red Cross provides "good Samaritan" law protection for 
    those giving first aid.

10.  Reduce the economic impact of disaster on your property and your
     household's health and financial well-being.

*  Review property insurance policies before disaster strikes make
   sure policies are current and be certain they meet your needs (type
   of coverage, amount of coverage, and hazard covered flood, 
   earthquake)

*  Protect your household's financial well-being before a disaster
   strikes review life insurance policies and consider saving money in
   an "emergency" savings account that could be used in any crisis. It 
   is advisable to keep a small amount of cash or traveler's checks at 
   home in a safe place where you can quickly gain access to it in case 
   of an evacuation.

*  Be certain that health insurance policies are current and meet
   the needs of your household.
   
   
11.  Consider ways to help neighbors who may need special assistance,
     such as the elderly or the disabled.

12.  Make arrangements for pets. Pets are not allowed in public
     shelters. Service animals for those who depend on them are 
     allowed.


	Emergency planning for people with special needs
	
If you have a disability or special need, you may have to take
additional steps to protect yourself and your household in an emergency.
If you know of friends or neighbors with special needs, help them with
these extra precautions. Examples include:

*  Hearing impaired may need to make special arrangements to
   receive a warning.
*  Mobility impaired may need assistance in getting to a shelter.
*  Households with a single working parent may need help from
   others both in planning for disasters and during an emergency.
*  Non-English speaking people may need assistance planning for and
   responding to emergencies.  Community and cultural groups may be 
   able to help keep these populations informed.
*  People without vehicles may need to make arrangements for
   transportation.
*  People with special dietary needs should have an adequate
   emergency food supply.

1.  Find out about special assistance that may be available in your
    community. Register with the office of emergency services or fire
    department for assistance, so needed help can be provided quickly in
    an emergency.
    
2.  Create a network of neighbors, relatives, friends and co-workers
    to aid you in an emergency. Discuss your needs and make sure they
    know how to operate necessary equipment.

3.  Discuss your needs with your employer.

4.  If you are mobility impaired and live or work in a high-rise
    building, have an escape chair.

5.  If you live in an apartment building, ask the management to mark
    accessible exits clearly and to make arrangements to help you
    evacuate the building.

6.  Keep extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen, catheters, medication,
    food for guide or hearing-ear dogs, or other items you might need.
    Also, keep a list of the type and serial numbers of medical devices 
    you need.

7.  Those who are not disabled should learn who in their
    neighborhood or building is disabled so that they may assist them
    during emergencies.

8.  If you are a caregiver for a person with special needs, make
    sure you have a plan to communicate if an emergency occurs.


	Disaster Supply Kits

You may need to survive on your own for three days or more. This means
having  your own water, food and emergency supplies. Try using backpacks
or duffel bags to keep the supplies together.  Assembling the supplies
you might need following a disaster is an important part of your
disaster plan.  You should prepare emergency supplies for the 
following situations:

*  A disaster supply kit with essential food, water, and supplies
   for at least three days this kit should be kept in a designated place
   and be ready to "grab and go" in case you have to leave your home
   quickly because of a disaster, such as a flash flood or major
   chemical emergency. Make sure all household members know where the 
   kit is kept.

*  Consider having additional supplies for sheltering or home
   confinement for up to two weeks.

*  You should also have a disaster supply kit at work. This should
   be in one container, ready to "grab and go" in case you have to
   evacuate the building.

*  A car kit of emergency supplies, including food and water, to
   keep stored in your car at all times. This kit would also include
   flares, jumper cables, and seasonal supplies.

The following checklists will help you assemble disaster supply kits
that meet the needs of your household. The basic items that should be in
a disaster supply kit are water, food, first-aid supplies, tools and
emergency supplies, clothing and bedding, and specialty items. You will
need to change the stored water and food supplies every six months, so
be sure to write the date you store it on all containers. You should
also re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your
household changes. Keep items in airtight plastic bags and put your
entire disaster supply kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such
as an unused trash can, camping backpack or duffel bag.

Water: the absolute necessity

1.  Stocking water reserves should be a top priority. Drinking water
    in emergency situations should not be rationed. Therefore, it is
    critical to store adequate amounts of water for your household.

*  Individual needs vary, depending on age, physical condition,
   activity, diet, and climate. A normally active person needs at least
   two quarts of water daily just for drinking. Children, nursing 
   mothers, and ill people need more. Very hot temperatures can double 
   the amount of water needed.

*  Because you will also need water for sanitary purposes and,
   possibly, for cooking, you should store at least one gallon of water
   per person per day.
  
2.  Store water in thoroughly washed plastic, fiberglass or
    enamel-lined metal containers. Don't use containers that can break,
    such as glass bottles. Never use a container that has held toxic
    substances. Sound plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles, 
    are best. You can also purchase food-grade plastic buckets or 
    drums.
   
*  Containers for water should be rinsed with a diluted bleach
   solution  (one part bleach to ten parts water) before use. Previously
   used bottles or other containers may be contaminated with microbes or
   chemicals. Do not rely on untested devices for decontaminating water.

*  If your water is treated commercially by a water utility, you do
   not need to treat water before storing it. Additional treatments of
   treated public water will not increase storage life.

*  If you have a well or public water that has not been treated,
   follow the treatment instructions provided by your public health
   service or water provider.

*  If you suspect that your well may be contaminated, contact your
   local or state health department or agriculture extension agent for
   specific advice.

*  Seal your water containers tightly, label them and store them in
   a cool, dark place.

*  It is important to change stored water every six months.
   For water purification for immediate or near term use, please read
   the "Shelter" chapter of this guide.


Food: preparing an emergency supply.

1.  If activity is reduced, healthy people can survive on half their
    usual food intake for an extended period or without any food for
    many days. Food, unlike water, may be rationed safely, except for
    children and pregnant women.

2.  You don't need to go out and buy unfamiliar foods to prepare an
    emergency food supply. You can use the canned foods, dry mixes and
    other staples on your cupboard shelves. Canned foods do not require
    cooking, water or special preparation. Be sure to include a manual 
    can opener.

3.  Keep canned foods in a dry place where the temperature is fairly
    cool. To protect boxed foods from pests and to extend their shelf
    life, store the food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers.

4.  Replace items in your food supply every six months. Throw out
    any canned good that becomes swollen, dented, or corroded. Use foods
    before they go bad, and replace them with fresh supplies. Date each
    food item with a marker. Place new items at the back of the storage 
    area and older ones in front.

5.  Food items that you might consider including in your disaster
    supply kit include: ready-to-eat meats, fruits, and vegetables;
    canned or boxed juices, milk, and soup; high-energy foods like 
    peanut butter, jelly, low-sodium crackers, granola bars, and trail 
    mix; vitamins; foods for infants or persons on special diets; 
    cookies, hard candy; instant coffee, cereals, and powdered milk.

You may need to survive on your own after a disaster. Local officials
and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they
cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it
may take days. Basic services, such as electricity, gas, water, sewage
treatment and telephones, may be cut off for days, even a week or
longer. Or you may have to evacuate at a moment's notice and take
essentials with you. You probably won't have the opportunity to shop or
search for the supplies you'll need. Your household will cope best by
preparing for disaster before it strikes.


First aid supplies

Assemble a first aid kit for your home and for each vehicle:

*  The basics for your first aid kit should include:

-  First aid manual
-  Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
-  Assorted sizes of safety pins
-  Cleansing agents (isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen 
   peroxide)/soap/germicide
-  Antibiotic ointment
-  Latex gloves (2 pairs)
-  Petroleum jelly
-  2-inch and 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6 each size)
-  Triangular bandages (3)
-  2-inch and 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls each)
-  Cotton balls
-  Scissors
-  Tweezers
-  Needle
-  Moistened towelettes
-  Antiseptic
-  Thermometer
-  Tongue depressor blades (2)
-  Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
-  Sunscreen.

*  It may be difficult to obtain prescription medications during a
   disaster because stores may be closed or supplies may be limited. Ask
   your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications.
   Be sure they are stored to meet instructions on the label and be 
   mindful of expirations dates be sure to keep your stored medication 
   up to date.

*  Extra pair of prescription glasses or contact lens.

*  Have the following nonprescription drugs in your disaster supply
   kit:

-  Aspirin and nonaspirin pain reliever
-  Antidiarrhea medication
-  Antacid (for stomach upset)
-  Syrup of ipecac (use to induce vomiting if  advised by the poison
   control center)
-  Laxative
-  Vitamins.


Tools and emergency supplies

It will be important to assemble these items in a disaster supply kit in
case you have to leave your home quickly. Even if you don't have to
leave your home, if you lose power it will be easier to have these items
already assembled and in one place.

*  Tools and other items:

-  A portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra
   batteries (also have a NOAA weather radio, if appropriate for 
   your area)
-  Flashlight and extra batteries
-  Signal flare
-  Matches in a waterproof container (or waterproof matches)
-  Shut-off wrench, pliers, shovel and other tools
-  Duct tape and scissors
-  Plastic sheeting
-  Whistle
-  Small canister, A-B-C-type fire extinguisher
-  Tube tent
-  Compass
-  Work gloves
-  Paper, pens, and pencils
-  Needles and thread
-  Battery-operated travel alarm clock

*  Kitchen items:

-  Manual can opener
-  Mess kits or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils
-  All-purpose knife
-  Household liquid bleach to treat drinking water
-  Sugar, salt, pepper
-  Aluminum foil and plastic wrap
-  Re-sealing plastic bags
-  If food must be cooked, small cooking stove and a can of cooking
   fuel

*  Sanitation and hygiene items:

-  Washcloth and towel
-  Towelettes, soap, hand sanitizer, liquid detergent
-  Tooth paste, toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorants, comb and brush,
   razor, shaving cream, lip balm, sunscreen, insect repellent, 
   contact lens solutions, mirror, feminine supplies
-  Heavy-duty plastic garbage bags and ties for personal sanitation
   uses and toilet paper
-  Medium-sized plastic bucket with tight lid
-  Disinfectant and household chlorine bleach
-  Consider including a small shovel for digging a latrine

*  Household documents and contact numbers:

-  Personal identification, cash (including change) or traveler's
   checks, and a credit card
-  Copies of important documents: birth certificate, marriage
   certificate, driver's license, social security cards, passport, 
   wills, deeds, inventory of household goods, insurance papers, 
   immunizations records, bank and credit card account numbers, 
   stocks and bonds. Be sure to store these in a watertight 
   container.
-  Emergency contact list and phone numbers
-  Map of the area and phone numbers of places you could go
-  An extra set of car keys and house keys.


Clothes and bedding

*  One complete change of clothing and footwear for each household
   member. Shoes should be sturdy work shoes or boots. Rain gear, hat
   and gloves, extra socks, extra underwear, thermal underwear, 
   sunglasses.

*  Blankets or a sleeping bag for each household member, pillows.


Specialty items

Remember to consider the needs of infants, elderly persons, disabled
persons, and pets and to include entertainment and comfort items for
children.

*  For baby
*  For the elderly
*  For pets
*  Entertainment: books, games, quiet toys and stuffed animals.

It is important for you to be ready, wherever you may be when disaster
strikes. With the checklists above you can now put together an
appropriate disaster supply kits for your household:

*  A disaster supply kit kept in the home with supplies for at
   least three days;

*  Although it is unlikely that food supplies would be cut off for
   as long as two weeks, consider storing additional water, food,
   clothing and bedding other supplies to expand your supply kit to
   last up to two weeks.

*  A work place disaster supply kit. It is important to store a
   personal supply of water and food at work; you will not be able to
   rely on water fountains or coolers. Women who wear high-heels 
   should be sure to have comfortable flat shoes at their workplace in 
   case an evacuation requires walking long distances.

*  A car disaster supply kit. Keep a smaller disaster supply kit in
   the trunk of you car. If you become stranded or are not able to
   return home, having these items will help you be more comfortable 
   until help arrives. Add items for severe winter weather during months 
   when heavy snow or icy roads are possible salt, sand, shovels, and 
   extra winter clothing, including hats and gloves.


Evacuation

Evacuations are more common than many people realize. Hundreds of times
each year, transportation and industrial accidents release harmful
substances, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes. Fires and
floods cause evacuations even more frequently. And almost every year,
people along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts evacuate in the face of
approaching hurricanes.

When community evacuations become necessary, local officials provide
information to the public through the media. In some circumstances other
warning methods, such as sirens or telephone calls, are also used.
Government agencies, the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and other
disaster relief organizations provide emergency shelter and supplies. To
be prepared for an emergency, you should have enough water, food,
clothing and emergency supplies to last at least three days. In a
catastrophic emergency, you might need to be self-sufficient for even
longer.

The amount of time you have to evacuate will depend on the disaster. If
the event can be monitored, like a hurricane, you might have a day or
two to get ready. However, many disasters allow no time for people to
gather even the most basic necessities. This is why you should prepare
now.


	Planning for evacuation

1.  Ask your local emergency management office about community
    evacuation plans. Learn evacuation routes. If you do not own a car,
    make transportation arrangements with friends or your local 
    government.

2.  Talk with your household about the possibility of evacuation.
    Plan where you would go if you had to leave the community. Determine
    how you would get there. In your planning, consider different scales 
    of evacuations. In a hurricane, for example, entire counties would
    evacuate, while much smaller area would be affected by a chemical
    release.

3.  Plan a place to meet your household in case you are separated
    from one another in a disaster. Ask a friend outside your town to be
    the "checkpoint" so that everyone in the household can call that 
    person to say they are safe.

4.  Find out where children will be sent if schools are evacuated.

5.  Assemble a disaster supplies kit. Include a battery-powered
    radio, flashlight, extra batteries, food, water and clothing. See
    the "Emergency Planning and Disaster Supplies" chapter for a 
    complete list.

6.  Keep fuel in your car if an evacuation seems likely. Gas
    stations may be closed during emergencies and unable to pump gas
    during power outages.

7.  Know how to shut off your home's electricity, gas and water
    supplies at main switches and valves. Have the tools you would need
    to do this (usually adjustable pipe and crescent wrenches).


	What to do when you are told to evacuate

Listen to a battery-powered radio and follow local instructions. If the
danger is a chemical release and you are instructed to evacuate
immediately, gather your household and go. Take one car per household
when evacuating. This will keep your household together and reduce
traffic congestion and delay. In other cases, you may have time to
follow these steps:

1.  Gather water, food, clothing, emergency supplies, and insurance
    and financial records. See the "Emergency Planning and Disaster
    Supplies" chapter for important information.

2.  Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that provides some protection,
    such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and a cap.

3.  Secure your home. Close and lock doors and windows. Unplug
    appliances. If a hard freeze is likely during your absence, take
    actions needed to prevent damage to water pipes by freezing weather, 
    such as:

*  Turn off water main.
*  Drain faucets.
*  Turn off inside valves for external faucets and open the outside
   faucets to drain.

4.  Turn off the main water valve and electricity, if instructed to
    do so.

5.  Let others know where you are going.

6.  Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather.

7.  Follow recommended evacuation routes. Do not take shortcuts.
    They may be blocked. Be alert for washed-out roads and bridges. Do
    not drive into flooded areas. Stay away from downed power lines.

Disaster situations can be intense, stressful, and confusing. Should an
evacuation be necessary, local authorities will do their best to notify
the public, but do not depend entirely on this. Often, a disaster can
strike with little or no warning, providing local authorities scant time
to issue an evacuation order. Also, it is possible that you may not hear
of an evacuation order due to communications or power failure or not
listening to your battery-powered radio. Local authorities and
meteorologists could also make mistakes, including underestimating an
emergency or disaster situation. In the absence of evacuation
instructions from local authorities, you should evacuate if you feel you
and your household are threatened or endangered. Use pre-designated
evacuation routes and let others know what you are doing and your
destination.


Shelter

Taking shelter is often a critical element in protecting yourself and
your household in times of disaster. Sheltering can take several forms.
In-place sheltering is appropriate when conditions require that you seek
protection in your home, place of employment, or other location where
you are located when disaster strikes. In-place sheltering may either be
short-term, such as going to a safe room for a fairly short period while
a tornado warning is in effect or while a chemical cloud passes. It may
also be longer-term, as when you stay in your home for several days
without electricity or water services following a winter storm. We also
use the term "shelter" for Mass Care facilities that provide a place to
stay along with food and water to people who evacuate following a
disaster.

	Short-term in-place sheltering

The appropriate steps to take in preparing for and implementing
short-term in-place sheltering depend entirely on the emergency
situation. For instance, during a tornado warning you should go to an
underground room, if such a room is available. During a chemical
release, on the other hand, you should seek shelter in a room above
ground level.

If you are requested to stay indoors rather than evacuate:

*  Follow all instructions given by emergency authorities.
*  Get household members and pets inside as quickly as possible.
*  Close and lock all exterior doors and windows. Close vents,
   fireplace dampers and as many interior doors as possible.
*  Turn off air conditioners and ventilation systems. In large
   buildings, building superintendents should set all ventilation
   systems to 100 percent recirculation so that no outside air is drawn 
   into the building. If this is not possible, ventilation systems 
   should be turned off.
*  Go into the pre-selected shelter room (the above-ground room
   with the fewest openings to the outside). Take a battery-powered
   radio, water, sanitary supplies, a flashlight, and the shelter kit
   containing plastic sheeting, duct tape, scissors, a towel, and 
   modeling clay or other materials to stuff into cracks.
*  Close doors and windows in the room. Stuff a towel tightly under
   each door and tape around the sides and top of the door. Cover each
   window and vent in the room with a single piece of plastic sheeting,
   taping all around the edges of the sheeting to provide a continuous
   seal. If there are any cracks or holes in the room, such as those
   around pipes entering a bathroom, fill them with modeling
   clay or other similar material.
*  Remain in the room, listening to emergency broadcasts on the
   radio, until authorities advise you to leave your shelter.
*  If authorities warn of the possibility of an outdoor explosion,
   close all drapes, curtains, and shades in the room. Stay away from
   windows to prevent injury from breaking glass.
*  When authorities advise people in your area to leave their
   shelters, open all doors and windows and turn on air conditioning and
   ventilation systems. These measures will flush out any chemicals that
   infiltrated into the building.

	
	Long-term in-place sheltering

Sometimes disasters make it unsafe for people to leave their residence
for extended periods. Winter storms, floods, and landslides may isolate
individual households and make it necessary for each household to take
care of its own needs until the disaster abates, such as when snows melt
and temperatures rise, or until rescue workers arrive. Your household
should be prepared to be self-sufficient for three days when cut off
from utilities and from outside supplies of food and water.

1.  Stay in your shelter until local authorities say it's okay to
    leave. The length of your stay can range from a few hours to two
    weeks.

2.  Maintain a 24-hour communications and safety watch. Take turns
    listening for radio broadcasts. Watch for fires.

3.  Assemble an emergency toilet, if necessary.

*  Use a garbage container, pail or bucket with a snug-fitting
   cover. If the container is small, use a larger container with a cover
   for waste disposal. Line both containers with plastic bags.
*  After each use, pour or sprinkle a small amount of regular
   household disinfectant, such as chlorine bleach, into the container
   to reduce odors and germs.


Managing water supplies


Water is critical for survival. Plan to have about one gallon of water
per person per day for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene. You may
need more for medical emergencies.

1.  Allow people to drink according to their need. The average
    person should drink between two and two-and-one-half quarts of water
    or other liquids per day, but many people need more. This will 
    depend on age, physical activity, physical condition and time of 
    year.

2.  Never ration water unless ordered to do so by authorities. Drink
    the amount you need today and try to find more for tomorrow. Under
    no circumstances should a person drink less than one quart of water
    each day. You can minimize the amount of water your body needs by
    reducing activity and staying cool.

3.  Drink water that you know is not contaminated first. If
    necessary, suspicious water, such as cloudy water from regular
    faucets or muddy water from streams or ponds, can be used after it 
    has been treated. If water treatment is not possible, put off 
    drinking suspicious water as long as possible, but do not become 
    dehydrated.
   
4. In addition to stored water, other sources include:
*  Melted ice cubes.
*  Water drained from the water heater faucet, if the water heater
   has not been damaged.
*  Water dipped from the flush tanks (not the bowls) of home
   toilets. Bowl water can be used for pets.
*  Liquids from canned goods such as fruit and vegetable juices.

5.  Carbonated beverages do not meet drinking-water requirements.
    Caffeinated drinks and alcohol dehydrate the body, which increases
    the need for drinking water.

6.  If water pipes are damaged or if local authorities advise you,
    turn off the main water valves to prevent water from draining away
    in  case the water main breaks.
*  The pipes will be full of water when the main valve is closed.
*  To use this water, turn on the faucet at the highest point in
   your house (which lets air into the system).
*  Then draw water, as needed, from the lowest point in your house,
   either a faucet or the hot water tank.

7.  Unsafe water sources include:

*  Radiators.
*  Hot water boilers (home heating system).
*  Water beds (fungicides added to the water or chemicals in the
   vinyl may make water unsafe to use).
*  Swimming pools and spas (chemicals used in them to kill germs
   are too concentrated for safe drinking, but can be used for personal
   hygiene, cleaning and related uses).


Water treatment

Treat all water of uncertain purity before using it for drinking, food
washing or preparation, washing dishes, brushing teeth or making ice. In
addition to having a bad odor and taste, contaminated water can contain
microorganisms that cause diseases such as dysentery, cholera, typhoid
and hepatitis.

There are many ways to treat water. None is perfect. Often the best
solution is a combination of methods. Before treating, let any suspended
particles settle to the bottom, or strain them through layers of clean
cloth.

Following are four treatment methods. The first three methods boiling,
chlorination and water treatment tablets will kill microbes but will not
remove other contaminants such as heavy metals, salts, most other
chemicals and radioactive fallout. The final method distillation will
remove microbes as well as most other contaminants, including
radioactive fallout.

Boiling is the safest method of treating water.

*  Boiling water kills harmful bacteria and parasites. Bringing
   water to a rolling boil for 1 minute will kill most organisms. Let
   the water cool before drinking.

*  Boiled water will taste better if you put oxygen back into it by
   pouring it back and forth between two containers. This will also
   improve the taste of stored water.

Chlorination uses liquid chlorine bleach to kill microorganisms such as
bacteria.

*  Use regular household liquid bleach that contains no soap or
   scents. Some containers warn, "Not For Personal Use."  You can
   disregard these warnings if the label states sodium hypochlorite as 
   the only active ingredient and if you use only the small quantities 
   mentioned in these instructions.

*  Add six drops (1/8 teaspoon) of unscented bleach per gallon of
   water, stir and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water does not taste
   and smell of chlorine at that point, add another dose and let stand
   another 15 minutes. This treatment will not kill parasitic organisms.

*  If you do not have a dropper, use a spoon and a square-ended
   strip of paper or thin cloth about  1/4 inch by 2 inches. Put the
   strip in the spoon with an end hanging down about 1/2 inch below the 
   scoop of the spoon. Place bleach in the spoon and carefully tip it. 
   Drops the size of those from a medicine dropper will drip off the 
   end of the strip.
  
Water treatment "purification" tablets release chlorine or iodine. They
are inexpensive and available at most sporting goods stores and some
drugstores. Follow the package directions carefully. NOTE: People with
hidden or chronic liver or kidney disease may be adversely affected by
iodized tablets and may experience worsened health problems as a result
of ingestion. Iodized tablets are safe for healthy, physically fit
adults and should be used only if you lack the supplies for boiling,
chlorination and distillation.

Distillation involves boiling water and collecting the vapor that
condenses back to water. The condensed vapor may include salt or other
impurities.

*  Fill a pot halfway with water.
*  Tie a cup to the handle on the pot's lid so that the cup hangs
   right side up when the lid is upside-down (make sure the cup is not
   dangling into the water).
*  Boil for 20 minutes. The water that drips from the lid into the
   cup is distilled.


Managing food supplies

1.  It is important to be sanitary when storing, handling and eating
    food.
*  Keep food in covered containers.
*  Keep cooking and eating utensils clean.
*  Keep garbage in closed containers and dispose outside. Bury
   garbage, if necessary. Avoid letting garbage accumulate inside, both
   for fire and sanitation reasons.
*  Keep hands clean. Wash frequently with soap and water that has
   been boiled or disinfected. Be sure to wash:
      -	Before preparing or eating food.
      -	After toilet use.
      -	After participating in flood cleanup activities.
      -	After handling articles contaminated with floodwater or sewage.
     
2.  Carefully ration food for everyone except children and pregnant
    women. Most people can remain relatively healthy with about half as
    much food as usual and can survive without any food for several 
    days.

3.  Try to avoid foods high in fat and protein, since they will make
    you thirsty. Try to eat salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals and
    canned foods with high liquid content.

4.  For emergency cooking, heat food with candle warmers, chafing
    dishes and fondue pots, or use a fireplace. Charcoal grills and camp
    stoves are for outdoor use only.

5.  Commercially canned food can be eaten out of the can without
    warming. Before heating food in a can, remove the label, thoroughly
    wash the can, and then disinfect them with a solution consisting 
    of one cup of bleach in five gallons of water, and open before 
    heating.  Re-label your cans, including expiration date, with 
    a marker.

*  Do not eat foods from cans that are swollen, dented or corroded
   even though the product may look okay to eat.
*  Do not eat any food that looks or smells abnormal, even if the
   can looks normal.
*  Discard any food not in a waterproof container if there is any
   chance that it has come into contact with contaminated floodwater.
*  Food containers with screw-caps, snap-lids, crimped caps (soda
   pop bottles), twist caps, flip tops, snap-open, and home canned foods
   should be discarded if they have come into contact with floodwater
   because they cannot be disinfected. For infants, use only
   pre-prepared canned baby formula. Do not use powdered formulas with 
   treated water.

6.  Your refrigerator will keep foods cool for about four hours
    without power if it is left unopened. Add block or dry ice to your
    refrigerator if the electricity will be off longer than four hours.
    Thawed food usually can be eaten if it is still "refrigerator cold,"
    or re-frozen if it still contains ice crystals. To be safe, 
    remember, "When in doubt, throw it out."  Discard any food that has 
    been at room temperature for two hours or more, and any food that 
    has an unusual odor, color, or texture.

    If you are without power for a long period:
*  Ask friends to store your frozen foods in their freezers if they
   have electricity.
*  Inquire if freezer space is available in a store, church,
   school, or commercial freezer that has electrical service.
*  Use dry ice, if available. Twenty-five pounds of dry ice will
   keep a ten-cubic-foot freezer below freezing for 3-4 days. Use care
   when handling dry ice, and wear dry, heavy gloves to avoid injury.


Staying in a mass care shelter

The American Red Cross and Salvation Army, assisted by community and
other disaster relief groups, work with local authorities to set up
public shelters in schools, municipal buildings and churches. While they
often provide water, food, medicine and basic sanitary facilities, you
should plan to have your own supplies as well especially water. See the
"Emergency Planning and Disaster Supplies" chapter for more details.

1.  Cooperate with shelter managers and others staying in the
    shelter. Living with many people in a confined space can be
    difficult and unpleasant.

2.  Restrict smoking to designated areas that are well-ventilated.
    Ensure that smoking materials are disposed of safely.

3.  If you go to an emergency shelter, remember that alcoholic
    beverages and weapons are prohibited in shelters. Pets, except for
    service animals, are also not allowed in public shelters. Contact
    your local humane society for additional information.



National Security Emergencies

In addition to the natural and technological hazards described in this
publication, Americans face threats posed by hostile governments or
extremist groups. These threats to national security include acts of
terrorism and acts of war.

Terrorism

Terrorism is the use of force or violence against persons or property in
violation of the criminal laws of the United States for purposes of
intimidation, coercion or ransom. Terrorists often use threats to create
fear among the public, to try to convince citizens that their government
is powerless to prevent terrorism, and to get immediate publicity for
their causes.

Acts of terrorism range from threats of terrorism, assassinations,
kidnappings, hijackings, bomb scares and bombings, cyber attacks
(computer-based), to the use of chemical, biological and nuclear
weapons.

High-risk targets include military and civilian government facilities,
international airports, large cities and high-profile landmarks.
Terrorists might also target large public gatherings, water and food
supplies, utilities, and corporate centers. Further, they are capable of
spreading fear by sending explosives or chemical and biological agents
through the mail.

In the immediate area of a terrorist event, you would need to rely on
police, fire and other officials for instructions. However, you can
prepare in much the same way you would prepare for other crisis events.

	Preparing for terrorism

1.  Wherever you are, be aware of your surroundings. The very nature
    of terrorism suggests there may be little or no warning.

2.  Take precautions when traveling. Be aware of conspicuous or
    unusual behavior. Do not accept packages from strangers. Do not
    leave luggage unattended. Unusual behavior, suspicious packages 
    and strange devices should be promptly reported to the police or 
    security personnel.

3.  Do not be afraid to move or leave if you feel uncomfortable or
    if something does not seem right.

4.  Learn where emergency exits are located in buildings you
    frequent. Notice where exits are when you enter unfamiliar
    buildings.  Plan how to get out of a building, subway or congested 
    public area or traffic. Note where staircases are located. Notice 
    heavy or breakable objects that could move, fall or break in an 
    explosion.

5.  Assemble a disaster supply kit at home and learn first aid.
    Separate the supplies you would take if you had to evacuate quickly,
    and put them in a backpack or container, ready to go.

6.  Be familiar with different types of fire extinguishers and how
    to locate them. Know the location and availability of hard hats in
    buildings in which you spend a lot of time.

	Protection against cyber attacks

Cyber attacks target computer or telecommunication networks of critical
infrastructures such as power systems, traffic control systems, or
financial systems. Cyber attacks target information technologies (IT) in
three different ways. First, is a direct attack against an information
system "through the wires" alone (hacking). Second, the attack can be a
physical assault against a critical IT element. Third, the attack can be
from the inside as a result of compromising a trusted party with access
to the system.

1.  Be prepared to do without services you normally depend on that
    could be disrupted-electricity, telephone, natural gas, gasoline
    pumps, cash registers, ATM machines, and internet transactions.

2.  Be prepared to respond to official instructions if a cyber
    attack triggers other hazards, for example, general evacuation,
    evacuation to shelter, or shelter-in-place, because of hazardous
    materials releases, nuclear power plant incident, dam or flood
    control system failures.

	Preparing for a building explosion

Explosions can collapse buildings and cause fires. People who live or
work in a multi-level building can do the following:

1.  Review emergency evacuation procedures. Know where emergency
    exits are located.

2.  Keep fire extinguishers in working order. Know where they are
    located, and learn how to use them.

3.  Learn first aid. Contact the local chapter of the American Red
    Cross for information and training.

4.  Building owners should keep the following items in a designated
    place on each floor of the building.
*  Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
*  Several flashlights and extra batteries
*  First aid kit and manual
*  Several hard hats
*  Fluorescent tape to rope off dangerous areas

	Bomb threats

If you receive a bomb threat, get as much information from the caller as
possible. Keep the caller on the line and record everything that is
said. Then notify the police and the building management.
If you are notified of a bomb threat, do not touch any suspicious
packages. Clear the area around suspicious packages and notify the
police immediately. In evacuating a building, don't stand in front of
windows, glass doors or other potentially hazardous areas. Do not block
sidewalk or streets to be used by emergency officials or others still
exiting the building.

	Suspicious parcels and letters

Be wary of suspicious packages and letters. They can contain explosives,
chemical or biological agents. Be particularly cautious at your place of
employment.

Some typical characteristics postal inspectors have detected over the
years, which ought to trigger suspicion, include parcels that

*  Are unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you.
*  Have no return address, or have one that can't be verified as
   legitimate.
*  Are marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "Personal,"
   "Confidential" or "Do not x-ray."
*  Have protruding wires or aluminum foil, strange odors or stains.
*  Show a city or state in the postmark that doesn't match the
   return address.
*  Are of unusual weight, given their size, or are lopsided or
   oddly shaped.
*  Are marked with any threatening language.
*  Have inappropriate or unusual labeling.
*  Have excessive postage or excessive packaging material such as
   masking tape and string.
*  Have misspellings of common words.
*  Are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or are
   otherwise outdated.
*  Have incorrect titles or title without a name.
*  Are not addressed to a specific person.
*  Have handwritten or poorly typed addresses.

With suspicious envelopes and packages other than those that might
contain explosives, take these additional steps against possible
biological and chemical agents.

*  Refrain from eating or drinking in a designated mail handling
   area.
*  Place suspicious envelopes or packages in a plastic bag or some
   other type of container to prevent leakage of contents. Never sniff
   or smell suspect mail.
*  If you do not have a container, then cover the envelope or
   package with anything available (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can,
   etc.) and do not remove the cover.
*  Leave the room and close the door, or section off the area to
   prevent others from entering.
*  Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any
   powder to your face.
*  If you are at work, report the incident to your building
   security official or an available supervisor, who should notify
   police and other authorities without delay.
*  List all people who were in the room or area when this
   suspicious letter or package was recognized. Give a copy of this list
   to both the local public health authorities and law enforcement
   officials for follow-up investigations and advice.
*  If you are at home, report the incident to local police.

	What to do if there is an explosion

Leave the building as quickly as possible. Do not stop to retrieve
personal possessions or make phone calls. If things are falling around
you, get under a sturdy table or desk until they stop falling. Then
leave quickly, watching for weakened floors and stairs and falling
debris as you exit.

1. If there is a fire:

*  Stay low to the floor and exit the building as quickly as
   possible.
*  Cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth.
*  When approaching a closed door, use the back of your hand to
   feel the lower, middle and upper parts of the door. Never use the
   palm of your hand or fingers to test for heat: burning those areas 
   could impair your ability to escape a fire (i.e., ladders and crawling).

     -	If the door is NOT hot, open slowly and ensure fire and/or smoke
        is not blocking your escape route. If your escape route is
        blocked, shut the door immediately and use an alternate escape 
        route, such as a window. If clear, leave immediately through 
        the door. Be prepared to crawl. Smoke and heat rise. The air is 
        clearer and cooler near the floor.
     -	If the door is hot, do not open it. Escape through a window. If
        you cannot escape, hang a white or light-colored sheet outside
        the window, alerting fire fighters to your presence.

*  Heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling.
   Stay below the smoke at all times.

2.  If you are trapped in debris:

*  Do not light a match.
*  Do not move about or kick up dust. Cover your mouth with a
   handkerchief or clothing.
*  Rhythmically tap on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can hear
   where you are. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a
   last resort when you hear sounds and think someone will hear you 
   shouting can cause a person to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

Chemical and Biological Weapons

In case of a chemical or biological weapon attack near you, authorities
will instruct you on the best course of action. This may be to evacuate
the area immediately, to seek shelter at a designated location, or to
take immediate shelter where you are and seal the premises. The best way
to protect yourself is to take emergency preparedness measures ahead of
time and to get medical attention as soon as possible, if needed.

	Chemical

Chemical warfare agents are poisonous vapors, aerosols, liquids or
solids that have toxic effects on people, animals or plants. They can be
released by bombs, sprayed from aircraft, boats, or vehicles, or used as
a liquid to create a hazard to people and the environment. Some chemical
agents may be odorless and tasteless. They can have an immediate effect
(a few seconds to a few minutes) or a delayed effect (several hours to
several days). While potentially lethal, chemical agents are difficult
to deliver in lethal concentrations. Outdoors, the agents often
dissipate rapidly. Chemical agents are also difficult to produce.

There are six types of agents:

*  Lung-damaging (pulmonary) agents such as phosgene,
*  Cyanide,
*  Vesicants or blister agents such as mustard,
*  Nerve agents such as GA (tabun), GB (sarin), GD (soman), GF, and
   VX,
*  Incapacitating agents such as BZ, and
*  Riot-control agents (similar to MACE).

	Biological

Biological agents are organisms or toxins that can kill or incapacitate
people, livestock and crops. The three basic groups of biological agents
which would likely be used as weapons are bacteria, viruses, and toxins.

1. Bacteria. Bacteria are small free-living organisms that
   reproduce by simple division and are easy to grow. The diseases they
   produce often respond to treatment with antibiotics.

2. Viruses. Viruses are organisms which require living cells in
   which to reproduce and are intimately dependent upon the body they
   infect. Viruses produce diseases which generally do not respond to
   antibiotics. However, antiviral drugs are sometimes effective.

3. Toxins. Toxins are poisonous substances found in, and extracted from,
   living plants, animals, or microorganisms; some toxins
   can be produced or altered by chemical means. Some toxins can be
   treated with specific antitoxins and selected drugs.

Most biological agents are difficult to grow and maintain. Many break
down quickly when exposed to sunlight and other environmental factors,
while others such as anthrax spores are very long lived. They can be
dispersed by spraying them in the air, or infecting animals which carry
the disease to humans as well through food and water contamination.

*  Aerosols Biological agents are dispersed into the air, forming a
   fine mist that may drift for miles. Inhaling the agent may cause
   disease in people or animals.
*  Animals Some diseases are spread by insects and animals, such as
   fleas, mice, flies, and mosquitoes. Deliberately spreading diseases
   through livestock is also referred to as agroterrorism.
*  Food and water contamination Some pathogenic organisms and
   toxins may persist in food and water supplies. Most microbes can be
   killed, and toxins deactivated, by cooking food and boiling water.

Anthrax spores formulated as a white powder were mailed to individuals
in the government and media in the fall of 2001. Postal sorting machines
and the opening of letters dispersed the spores as aerosols. Several
deaths resulted. The effect was to disrupt mail service and to cause a
widespread fear of handling delivered mail among the public.
Person-to-person spread of a few infectious agents is also possible.
Humans have been the source of infection for smallpox, plague, and the
Lassa viruses.

	What to do to prepare for a chemical or biological attack

Assemble a disaster supply kit (see the "Emergency Planning and Disaster
Supplies" chapter for more information) and be sure to include:

*  Battery-powered commercial radio with extra batteries.
*  Non-perishable food and drinking water.
*  Roll of duct tape and scissors.
*  Plastic for doors, windows and vents for the room in which you
   will shelter in place this should be an internal room where you can
   block out air that may contain hazardous chemical or biological
   agents.

To save critical time during an emergency, sheeting should be
pre-measured and cut for each opening.

*  First aid kit.
*  Sanitation supplies including soap, water and bleach.

	What to do during a chemical or biological attack

1.  Listen to your radio for instructions from authorities such as
    whether to remain inside or to evacuate.

2.  If you are instructed to remain in your home, the building where
    you are, or other shelter during a chemical or biological attack:

*  Turn off all ventilation, including furnaces, air conditioners,
   vents and fans.
*  Seek shelter in an internal room, preferably one without
   windows. Seal the room with duct tape and plastic sheeting. Ten
   square feet of floor space per person will provide sufficient air 
   to prevent carbon dioxide build-up for up to five hours. (See 
   "Shelter" chapter.)
*  Remain in protected areas where toxic vapors are reduced or
   eliminated, and be sure to take your battery-operated radio with you.

3.  If you are caught in an unprotected area, you should:
*  Attempt to get up-wind of the contaminated area.
*  Attempt to find shelter as quickly as possible.
*  Listen to your radio for official instructions.

	What to do after a chemical attack

Immediate symptoms of exposure to chemical agents may include blurred
vision, eye irritation, difficulty breathing and nausea. A person
affected by a chemical or biological agent requires immediate attention
by professional medical personnel. If medical help is not immediately
available, decontaminate yourself and assist in decontaminating others.
Decontamination is needed within minutes of exposure to minimize health
consequences. (However, you should not leave the safety of a shelter to
go outdoors to help others until authorities announce it is safe to do
so.)

1.  Use extreme caution when helping others who have been exposed to
    chemical agents:
*  Remove all clothing and other items in contact with the body.
   Contaminated clothing normally removed over the head should be cut
   off to avoid contact with the eyes, nose, and mouth. Put into a 
   plastic bag if possible. Decontaminate hands using soap and water. 
   Remove eyeglasses or contact lenses. Put glasses in a pan of household 
   bleach to decontaminate.

2.  Remove all items in contact with the body.

3.  Flush eyes with lots of water.

4.  Gently wash face and hair with soap and water; then thoroughly
    rinse with water.

5.  Decontaminate other body areas likely to have been contaminated.
    Blot (do not swab or scrape) with a cloth soaked in soapy water and
    rinse with clear water.

6.  Change into uncontaminated clothes. Clothing stored in drawers
    or closets is likely to be uncontaminated.

7.  If possible, proceed to a medical facility for screening.

	What to do after a biological attack

In many biological attacks, people will not know they have been exposed
to an agent. In such situations, the first evidence of an attack may be
when you notice symptoms of the disease caused by an agent exposure, and
you should seek immediate medical attention for treatment.

In some situations, like the anthrax letters sent in 2001, people may be
alerted to a potential exposure. If this is the case, pay close
attention to all official warnings and instructions on how to proceed.
The delivery of medical services for a biological event may be handled
differently to respond to increased demand. Again, it will be important
for you to pay attention to official instructions via radio, television,
and emergency alert systems.

If your skin or clothing comes in contact with a visible, potentially
infectious substance, you should remove and bag your clothes and
personal items and wash yourself with warm soapy water immediately. Put
on clean clothes and seek medical assistance.

For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention at www.bt.cdc.gov.



Nuclear and Radiological Attack

Nuclear explosions can cause deadly effects blinding light, intense heat
(thermal radiation), initial nuclear radiation, blast, fires started by
the heat pulse, and secondary fires caused by the destruction. They also
produce radioactive particles called fallout that can be carried by wind
for hundreds of miles.

Terrorist use of a radiological dispersion device (RDD) often called
"dirty nuke" or "dirty bomb" is considered far more likely than use of a
nuclear device. These radiological weapons are a combination of
conventional explosives and radioactive material designed to scatter
dangerous and sub-lethal amounts of radioactive material over a general
area. Such radiological weapons appeal to terrorists because they
require very little technical knowledge to build and deploy compared to
that of a nuclear device. Also, these radioactive materials, used widely
in medicine, agriculture, industry and research, are much more readily
available and easy to obtain compared to weapons grade uranium or
plutonium.

Terrorist use of a nuclear device would probably be limited to a single
smaller "suitcase" weapon. The strength of such a weapon would be in the
range of the bombs used during World War II. The nature of the effects
would be the same as a weapon delivered by an inter-continental missile,
but the area and severity of the effects would be significantly
more limited.

There is no way of knowing how much warning time there would be before
an attack by a terrorist using a nuclear or radiological weapon. A
surprise attack remains a possibility.

The danger of a massive strategic nuclear attack on the United States
involving many weapons receded with the end of the Cold War. However,
some terrorists have been supported by nations that have nuclear weapons
programs.

If there were threat of an attack from a hostile nation, people living
near potential targets could be advised to evacuate or they could decide
on their own to evacuate to an area not considered a likely target.
Protection from radioactive fallout would require taking shelter in an
underground area, or in the middle of a large building.

In general, potential targets include:

*  Strategic missile sites and military bases.
*  Centers of government such as Washington, D.C., and state
   capitals.
*  Important transportation and communication centers.
*  Manufacturing, industrial, technology and financial centers.
*  Petroleum refineries, electrical power plants and chemical
   plants.
*  Major ports and airfields.

Taking shelter during a nuclear attack is absolutely necessary. There
are two kinds of shelters blast and fallout.

Blast shelters offer some protection against blast pressure, initial
radiation, heat and fire, but even a blast shelter could not withstand a
direct hit from a nuclear detonation.

Fallout shelters do not need to be specially constructed for that
purpose. They can be any protected space, provided that the walls and
roof are thick and dense enough to absorb the radiation given off by
fallout particles. The three protective factors of a fallout shelter are
shielding, distance, and time.

*  Shielding. The more heavy, dense materials thick walls,
   concrete, bricks, books and earth between you and the fallout
   particles, the better.

*  Distance. The more distance between you and the fallout
   particles, the better. An underground area, such as a home or office
   building basement, offers more protection than the first floor of a
   building. A floor near the middle of a high-rise may be better,
   depending on what is nearby at that level on which significant
   fallout particles would collect. Flat roofs collect fallout particles 
   so the top floor is not a good choice, nor is a floor adjacent to a 
   neighboring flat roof.

*  Time. Fallout radiation loses its intensity fairly rapidly. In
   time, you will be able to leave the fallout shelter. Radioactive
   fallout poses the greatest threat to people during the first two 
   weeks, by which time it has declined to about 1% of its initial 
   radiation level.

Remember that any protection, however temporary, is better than none at
all, and the more shielding, distance and time you can take advantage
of, the better.

	Electromagnetic pulse

In addition to other effects, a nuclear weapon detonated in or above the
earth's atmosphere can create an electromagnetic pulse (EMP), a
high-density electrical field. EMP acts like a stroke of lightning but
is stronger, faster and briefer. EMP can seriously damage electronic
devices connected to power sources or antennas. This include
communication systems, computers, electrical appliances, and automobile
or aircraft ignition systems. The damage could range from a minor
interruption to actual burnout of components. Most electronic equipment
within 1,000 miles of a high-altitude nuclear detonation could be
affected. Battery powered radios with short antennas generally would not
be affected.  Although EMP is unlikely to harm most people, it could harm 
those with pacemakers or other implanted electronic devices.

	What to do before a nuclear or radiological attack

1.  Learn the warning signals and all sources of warning used in
    your community. Make sure you know what the signals are, what they
    mean, how they will be used, and what you should do if you hear 
    them.

2.  Assemble and maintain a disaster supply kit with food, water,
    medications, fuel and personal items adequate for up to 2 weeks the
    more the better. (See the "Emergency Planning and Disaster 
    Supplies" chapter for more information).

3.  Find out what public buildings in your community may have been
    designated as fallout shelters. It may have been years ago, but
    start there, and learn which buildings are still in use and could 
    be designated as shelters again.

*  Call your local emergency management office.
*  Look for yellow and black fallout shelter signs on public
   buildings. Note: With the end of the Cold War, many of the signs have
   been removed from the buildings previously designated.
*  If no noticeable or official designations have been made, make
   your own list of potential shelters near your home, workplace and
   school:  basements, or the windowless center area of middle floors in
   high-rise buildings, as well as subways and tunnels.
*  Give your household clear instructions about where fallout
   shelters are located and what actions to take in case of attack.

4.  If you live in an apartment building or high-rise, talk to the
    manager about the safest place in the building for sheltering, and
    about providing for building occupants until it is safe to go out.

5.  There are few public shelters in many suburban and rural areas.
    If you are considering building a fallout shelter at home, keep the
    following in mind.

*  A basement, or any underground area, is the best place to
   shelter from fallout. Often, few major changes are needed, especially
   if the structure has two or more stories and its basement or one 
   corner of it is below ground.
*  Fallout shelters can be used for storage during non-emergency
   periods, but only store things there that can be very quickly
   removed.  (When they are removed, dense, heavy items may be used to 
   add to the shielding.)
*  All the items you will need for your stay need not be stocked
   inside the shelter itself  but can be stored elsewhere, as long as
   you can move them quickly to the shelter.

6.  Learn about your community's evacuation plans. Such plans may
    include evacuation routes, relocation sites, how the public will be
    notified and transportation options for people who do not own cars
    and those who have special needs. See the "Evacuation" chapter for 
    more information.
   
7.  Acquire other emergency preparedness booklets that you may need.

	What to do during a nuclear or radiological attack

1.  Do not look at the flash or fireball it can blind you.

2.  If you hear an attack warning:

*  Take cover as quickly as you can, BELOW GROUND IF POSSIBLE, and
   stay there unless instructed to do otherwise.
*  If you are caught outside, unable to get inside immediately,
   take cover behind anything that might offer protection. Lie flat on
   the ground and cover your head.
*  If the explosion is some distance away, it could take 30 seconds
   or more for the blast wave to hit.

3.  Protect yourself from radioactive fallout. If you are close
    enough to see the brilliant flash of a nuclear explosion, the
    fallout will arrive in about 20 minutes. Take shelter, even if you 
    are many miles from ground zero radioactive fallout can be carried by 
    the winds for hundreds of miles. Remember the three protective 
    factors:  shielding, distance and time.

4.  Keep a battery-powered radio with you, and listen for official
    information. Follow the instructions given. Local instructions
    should always take precedence:  officials on the ground know the 
    local situation best.

	What to do after a nuclear or radiological attack

In a public or home shelter:

1.  Do not leave the shelter until officials say it is safe. Follow
    their instructions when leaving.

2.  If in a fallout shelter, stay in your shelter until local
    authorities tell you it is permissible or advisable to leave. The
    length of your stay can range from a day or two to four weeks.

*  Contamination from a radiological dispersion device could affect
   a wide area, depending on the amount of conventional explosives used,
   the quantity of radioactive material and atmospheric conditions.
*  A "suitcase" terrorist nuclear device detonated at or near
   ground level would produce heavy fallout from the dirt and debris
   sucked up into the mushroom cloud.
*  A missile-delivered nuclear weapon from a hostile nation would
   probably cause an explosion many times more powerful than a suitcase
   bomb, and provide a greater cloud of radioactive fallout.
*  The decay rate of the radioactive fallout would be the same,
   making it necessary for those in the areas with highest radiation
   levels to remain in shelter for up to a month.
*  The heaviest fallout would be limited to the area at or downwind
   from the explosion, and 80% of the fallout would occur during the
   first 24 hours.
*  Because of these facts and the very limited number of weapons
   terrorists could detonate, most of the country would not be affected
   by fallout.
*  People in most of the areas that would be affected could be
   allowed to come out of shelter and, if necessary, evacuate to
   unaffected areas within a few days.

3. Although it may be difficult, make every effort to maintain
   sanitary conditions in your shelter space.

4. Water and food may be scarce. Use them prudently but do not
   impose severe rationing, especially for children, the ill or elderly.

5. Cooperate with shelter managers. Living with many people in
   confined space can be difficult and unpleasant.

	Returning to your home

1.  Keep listening to the radio for news about what to do, where to
    go, and places to avoid.

2.  If your home was within the range of a bomb's shock wave, or you
    live in a high-rise or other apartment building that experienced a
    non-nuclear explosion, check first for any sign of collapse or
    damage, such as:
*  toppling chimneys, falling bricks, collapsing walls, plaster
   falling from ceilings.
*  fallen light fixtures, pictures and mirrors.
*  broken glass from windows.
*  overturned bookcases, wall units or other fixtures.
*  fires from broken chimneys.
*  ruptured gas and electric lines.

3. Immediately clean up spilled medicines, drugs, flammable
   liquids, and other potentially hazardous materials.

4. Listen to your battery-powered radio for instructions and
   information about community services.

5.  Monitor the radio and your television for information on
    assistance that may be provided. Local, state and federal
    governments and other organizations will help meet emergency needs 
    and help you recover from damage and losses.

6.  The danger may be aggravated by broken water mains and fallen
    power lines.

7.  If you turned gas, water and electricity off at the main valves
    and switch before you went to shelter:
*  Do not turn the gas back on. The gas company will turn it back
   on for you or you will receive other instructions.
*  Turn the water back on at the main valve only after you know the
   water system is working and water is not contaminated.
*  Turn electricity back on at the main switch only after you know
   the wiring is undamaged in your home and the community electrical
   system is functioning.
*  Check to see that sewage lines are intact before using sanitary
   facilities.

8.  Stay away from damaged areas.

9.  Stay away from areas marked "radiation hazard" or "HAZMAT."

For more information relevant to terrorism consult the following
chapters:
*  The "Emergency Planning and Disaster Supplies" chapter for
   information about preparing a disaster
*  The "Shelter" chapter for measures regarding water purification.
*  The "Evacuation" chapter for information about evacuation
   procedures.

Homeland Security Advisory System

The Homeland Security Advisory System was designed to provide a
comprehensive means to disseminate information regarding the risk of
terrorist acts to federal, state, and local authorities and to the
American people. This system provides warnings in the form of a set of
graduated "Threat Conditions" that increase as the risk of the threat
increases. At each threat condition, federal departments and agencies
would implement a corresponding set of "Protective Measures" to further
reduce vulnerability or increase response capability during a period of
heightened alert.

[graphic omitted]

Although the Homeland Security Advisory System is binding on the
executive branch, it is voluntary to other levels of government and the
private sector. There are five threat conditions, each identified by a
description and corresponding color. The greater the risk of a terrorist
attack, the higher the threat condition. Risk includes both the
probability of an attack occurring and its potential gravity. Threat
conditions are assigned by the Attorney General in consultation with the
Assistant to the President for Homeland Security. Threat conditions may
be assigned for the entire nation, or they may be set for a
particular geographic area or industrial sector. Assigned threat
conditions will be reviewed at regular intervals to determine whether
adjustments are warranted.

	Threat Conditions and Associated Protective Measures

There is always a risk of a terrorist threat. Each threat condition
assigns a level of alert appropriate to the increasing risk of terrorist
attacks. Beneath each threat condition are some suggested protective
measures that the government and the public can take, recognizing that
the heads of federal departments and agencies are responsible for
developing and implementing appropriate agency-specific Protective
Measures:

Low Condition (Green). This condition is declared when there is a low
risk of terrorist attacks. Federal departments and agencies will
consider the following protective measures.
*  Refine and exercise prearranged protective measures;
*  Ensure personnel receive proper training on the Homeland

Security Advisory System and specific prearranged department or agency
protective measures; and
*  Institute 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.

Members of the public can:
*  Develop a household disaster plan and assemble a disaster supply
   kit. (see "Emergency Planning and Disaster Supplies" chapter).
  
Guarded Condition (Blue). This condition is declared when there is a
general risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the measures taken in
the previous threat condition, federal departments and agencies will
consider the following protective measures:
*  Check communications with designated emergency response or
   command locations;
*  Review and update emergency response procedures; and
*  Provide the public with any information that would strengthen
   its ability to act appropriately.

Members of the public, in addition to the actions taken for the previous
threat condition, can:
*  Update their disaster supply kit;
*  Review their household disaster plan;
*  Hold a household meeting to discuss what members would do and
   how they would communicate in the event of an incident;
*  Develop a more detailed household communication plan;
*  Apartment residents should discuss with building managers steps
   to be taken during an emergency; and
*  People with special needs should discuss their emergency plans
   with friends, family or employers.

Elevated Condition (Yellow). An Elevated Condition is declared when
there is a significant risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the
measures taken in the previous threat conditions, federal departments
and agencies will consider the following protective measures:
*  Increase surveillance of critical locations;
*  Coordinate emergency plans with nearby jurisdictions as
   appropriate;
*  Assess whether the precise characteristics of the threat require
   the further refinement of prearranged protective measures; and
*  Implement, as appropriate, contingency and emergency response
   plans.

Members of the public, in addition to the actions taken for the previous
threat condition, can:
*  Be observant of any suspicious activity and report it to
   authorities;
*  Contact neighbors to discuss their plans and needs;
*  Check with school officials to determine their plans for an
   emergency and procedures to reunite children with parents and
   caregivers; and
*  Update the household communication plan.

High Condition (Orange). A High Condition is declared when there is a
high risk of terrorist attacks. In addition to the measures taken in the
previous threat conditions, federal departments and agencies will
consider the following protective measures:
*  Coordinate necessary security efforts with federal, state, and
   local law enforcement agencies, National Guard or other security and
   armed forces;
*  Take additional precautions at public events, possibly
   considering alternative venues or even cancellation;
*  Prepare to execute contingency procedures, such as moving to an
   alternate site or dispersing the workforce; and
*  Restrict access to a threatened facility to essential personnel
   only.

Members of the public, in addition to the actions taken for the previous
threat conditions, can:
*  Review preparedness measures (including evacuation and
   sheltering) for potential terrorist actions including chemical,
   biological, and radiological attacks;
*  Avoid high profile or symbolic locations; and
*  Exercise caution when traveling.

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 will consider
the following general measures:
*  Increase or redirect personnel to address critical emergency
   needs;
*  Assign emergency response personnel and pre-position and
   mobilize specially trained teams or resources;
*  Monitor, redirect, or constrain transportation systems; and
*  Close public and government facilities not critical for
   continuity of essential operations, especially public safety.

Members of the public, in addition to the actions taken for the previous
threat conditions, can:
*  Avoid public gathering places such as sports arenas, holiday
   gatherings, or other high risk locations;
*  Follow official instructions about restrictions to normal
   activities;
*  Contact employer to determine status of work;
*  Listen to the radio and TV for possible advisories or warnings;
   and
*  Prepare to take protective actions such as sheltering-in-place
   or evacuation if instructed to do so by public officials.
   
For More Information

Helpful Websites

USA.gov 
The Official Web Portal of the US Federal Government 
http://www.usa.gov 

Preparing for a Disaster 
www.Ready.gov 
www.dhs.gov 

Disaster Help 
www.DisasterHelp.gov 
www.redcross.org 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response 
http://www.bt.cdc.gov 

Useful Telephone Numbers
1-800-FED-INFO (1-800-333-4636) 
1-800-BE-READY (1-800-237-3239) 
1-866-GET-INFO (1-866-438-4636) 
Printing and Distribution by: 

GSA Office of Citizen Services and Communications 
Federal Citizen Information Center 
U.S. General Services Administration 
1800 F Street NW 
Washington DC 20405 
www.pueblo.gsa.gov 

Information developed and written by: 

Federal Emergency Management Agency 
Washington DC 20472 

April 2003