[KYHAM] KEN TRAINING for Feb. 17: SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS AND WMD - Revisited

[Ron Dodson]

Folks, I just heard a story on CNN that really brings home
my early message about using good judgement.  

Obviously the "safe-room" message is getting jumbled in the
translation.  We've all, by now heard of the man in New
Jersey who made his whole house a "safe-room" by using
plastic to COVVER HIS WHOLE HOUSE! What was funny (dangerous
too, yes, but still almost laughable in a sick way) has now
turned tragic... A family last night decided to sleep in
their safe-room and were found dead this AM because they
suffocated!  

While I am unsure if it is the media's telling of the
message or the receiver getting a scrambled message, allow
me a minute to clarify this before more tragedies occur.

The idea of a safe-room is NOT TO BE USED LIKE A FALLOUT
SHELTER of the 1950's-60's!  They are for short duration use
only of a couple of hours to allow chemical vapors, if any
would be released, to blow away and leave you safe if it
were necessary for you to shelter in place rather than
evacuate in such an event.  A minimum of TEN FEET of floor
space per occupant is recommended for no more than a 5 hour
period!, and nowhere in the literature does it say that they
need to be fixed NOW. You are encouraged to pre-cut and mark
the locations on, plastic sheeting to cover windows, doors,
vents etc.  not necessarily to leave them in place
continuously.

See the excerpt from our Ky Emergency Net training of Feb
17, 2003 below.  Let's try to avoid senseless tragedies and
read and follow the instructions. Always, always think
things through first!                                   

73, 
Ron Dodsn, KA4MAP
Ky Section Emergency Coordinator
Amateur Radio Emergency Service


...if you receive an EAS warning to "shelter-in-place"
for a chemical release, would you know what to do and do you
have the right materials handy to do it with?  If advised to
"shelter-in-place", immediately turn off all sources of
outside
ventilation and close all windows and doors. Keep your
portable radio with you. Move to a 'safe room' in your home
or work place. (When planning ahead for a safe room, try to
locate one with at least ten feet of floor space per person
to allow for adequate air space and preferably without
windows.)  Seal around the doors, vents and any windows with
plastic sheeting  (this can be pre-measured and cut to fit
and marked well beforehand) and duct tape.  Stay there until
the all clear is given.  In all likelihood, the chemical
cloud will soon pass over and dissipate. Chemical agents do
not linger long in the open air.  A few hours (2-5) will
likely be adequate for the winds to blow them away. After
the all clear is given, open windows and doors and allow
fresh air to remove any residual chemical vapors.  If you
are outdoors when an alert is given and you have no
available shelter, try to stay upwind and move away from the
affected area.  Listen for and follow any other EAS
instructions you receive over your portable receiver.

_______________________________________________
Support Amateur Radio in Kentucky!
http://www.qsl.net/kd4pwl/index.html
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/kyham