Arlington County ACS-RACES

Operator Type III Annual RecertificationUnit 1

Disaster Disaster Survival Survival Skills Skills for the Urban for the Urban EnvironmentEnvironment

1

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES Why teach “survival” in the city? Catastrophes vs. disasters

– This is about your SURVIVALSURVIVAL, not volunteering

Priorities for human survival Break-out sessions:

– Shelter construction – Fire making– Signaling

Equipment and supplies Social implications of disasters

– Personal security concerns

2

““Disaster ” versus Disaster ” versus “Catastrophe”“Catastrophe”Disasters are short term Disasters are short term

““Make do for 3-4 days until help arrives…”Make do for 3-4 days until help arrives…”

Catastrophic events are long termCatastrophic events are long term• Katrina-scale hurricane, tsunami, earthquakeKatrina-scale hurricane, tsunami, earthquake• Major terror attack, nuclear detonation, dirty bombMajor terror attack, nuclear detonation, dirty bomb• No help is coming soon, “you are on your own”No help is coming soon, “you are on your own”

Why? Why? • Complete loss of civil infrastructureComplete loss of civil infrastructure• Minimal or no police, fire or EMS responseMinimal or no police, fire or EMS response• No electricity, municipal water, communications No electricity, municipal water, communications • Transport of fuel / food is severely impairedTransport of fuel / food is severely impaired• Public safety agencies will be overwhelmedPublic safety agencies will be overwhelmed• Recovery is long term (over 30 days)Recovery is long term (over 30 days)

3

What the military survival schools What the military survival schools teach:teach:

Seven Priorities For Survival:Seven Priorities For Survival: “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst”“Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst”

Positive mental attitudePositive mental attitude First Aid / SanitationFirst Aid / Sanitation ShelterShelter SignalingSignaling Fire WaterWater FoodFood

4

http://www.equipped.com/fm21-76.htm

Positive Mental AttitudePositive Mental AttitudeSituational awareness, basic knowledge and a “survivor’s mindset” enable you to cope effectively STOP STOP

– Calm down, and size up your situation…

THINKTHINK– Anticipate which hazards are most likely– Take stock of materials and resources around you

OBSERVEOBSERVE – Orient yourself to your surroundingsOrient yourself to your surroundings

PLANPLAN – Select equipment and supplies appropriatelySelect equipment and supplies appropriately

ACT!ACT! – Execute the plan, evaluate progress, adjust, go on. Execute the plan, evaluate progress, adjust, go on.

5

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Have an evacuation kit ready at all times

• Don't presume that a disaster will be short-term • Pack essentials first, then consider comfort items• In real emergences, forget last-minute purchases• Plan for more supplies than you “think” you may need • Inspect / renew your supplies each spring and fall• Provide entertainment for young children.

6

WHEN “IT” HITS THE FAN”

Use these six steps in problem solving Size Up ...your Situation Determine... Objectives (stay or evacuate?) Identify ...Resources (either stored supplies

or salvaged materials from your surroundings)

Evaluate …Options (use the safest way) Build ...an action Plan (use your head) Take ...Action

– re-evaluate your action plan, adapt, improvise and overcome!

7

FIRST AID AND SANITATION

Maintain personal and family health– Prompt treatment reduces infection risk– Sanitation reduces risk of disease vectors

– Water borne illnesses, diarrhea

Major cause of dehydration

Increases your survivability!

8

Disaster Injury Risk Factors

Tool / equipment hazards, risk of hand, eye, head injuries, electric shock, chemical burns

Human factors, stress / fatigue Structural instability

– Trauma risk, falls, building collapse potential Terrain, loose rock, fallen limbs, wet or

insecure footing, risk of falls, puncture wounds and lacerations from debris.

9

Disaster Contamination

Stagnant surface water– Mosquito breeding

Contaminated flood waters– Sewage treatment system overflow– Petroleum, industrial, agricultural

chemical contamination

Airborne contaminant plumes– Smoke, dust, toxic gases, – or radioactive fallout.

10

SHELTER SHELTER

11

Protection from the elementsProtection from the elements Wind and rain resistant Wind and rain resistant Insulation from coldInsulation from cold

The “Stay or Evacuate” DecisionIf evacuation is not mandatory, the same safety rules for entering a structure apply to using your home as shelter

12

DO NOT OCCUPY IFDO NOT OCCUPY IF::

• There is structural damageThere is structural damage (6 (6 sides of the “box” are not plumb)sides of the “box” are not plumb)

• Utilities cannot be controlledUtilities cannot be controlled• Structure was damaged in a fireStructure was damaged in a fire

DO NOT occupy a floor that has been flooded, mold grows fastDO NOT occupy a floor that has been flooded, mold grows fast!!

EVACUATION PLANNING

• It’s usually best to relocate with friends or relatives who live outside of the affected area

• Don't rely on government-run shelters• They are an “option of last resort” for those unable to evacuate

• Evacuation route selection is important• Make sure your vehicle can carry essentials

• A huge “bug-out” vehicle is a handicap on crowded roads• It uses more fuel, which may be expensive / scarce in an emergency.

• Don't plan on fuel being available en route• In normal times always keep your gas tank at least half full• Upon warning an event is imminent, conserve fuel, keep tank ¾ full• Carry extra fuel containers outside the vehicle

13

FROM NATIONAL THREAT SCENARIO

Nuclear Detonation – 10-Kiloton Improvised Nuclear Device

http://iis-db.stanford.edu/pubs/21872/DayAfterWorkshopReport.pdf An attack may:•be single or up to a dozen detonations

- on specific or random targets.

•be an act of a non-state-, i.e. a terrorist group such as Al Qaeda.

•be threatened to trigger a political result, - bend will of the people.

•involve either a detonation (fission/fusion)- or release via a Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD)

•occur all in one attack – or recur over a period of weeks, months, years.

Urban 10 KT Ground Burst

1/3 mile from epicenter all buildings are destroyed, virtually no one left alive

3/4 mile radius major damage, most people not in substantial shelter killed or injured

1 mile radius moderate damage, buildings ravaged by fires and many blast survivors will die later from lethal radiation exposure

Downwind debris plume further exposes tens of thousands to lethal radiation dose unless survivors are adequately sheltered and effectively decontaminated.

LOW YIELD WEAPON EFECTS

Contamination from a Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) would cover up to a few hundred acres with low-level radioactive material;

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/pdf/dirtybombs.pdf

A nuclear detonation would affect large areas (10-100 sq. miles) damaged by direct effects and 100s to 1,000s of sq. miles with radioactive fallout.http://www.nti.org/e_research/cnwm/overview/technical3.asp?print=true

Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) – a terrorist attack would most likely be a small device <10 kilotons yield, EMP effect of a ground burst would be mostly within the Moderate Damage Radius, but also propagated by conductors such as power and telephone lines, railroad tracks, pipelines, etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_pulse

EMP Precautions

Disconnect electronics from conductors (AC mains and antennas)

Store small solid-state electronics having Field Effect Transistors (FET) or other integrated circuits (IC) in a Faraday Cage (an unplugged microwave oven)

Construct EMP-resistant containers constructed with a continuously sealed metal barrier (foil covered cardboard boxes)

Most susceptible to EMP damage are automobiles with onboard "computers" which control essential functions.

EVACUATION

Feasible only if all personnel can evacuate before fallout contamination arrives and;

Essential functions for Continuity of Operations are transferred to an alternate facility

Affected area would have to be small and warning time adequate to execute the evacuation

Detonation effects (blast/thermal/EMP) will likely impede evacuation

Evacuees may be exposed and/or contaminated.

Evacuate or Stay Decision?Conclusion from FEMA Urban-Rural Evacuation State Planners Workshop Sept. 2006

Given ● Population of the DC Metro area

● Propensity to self-evacuate, overwhelmingly

by automobile

● Wide distribution of evacuation destinations,

● Perceived vulnerability to terror attack,

and anticipation of multiple attacks

Result: ● A large-scale, chaotic mass self-evacuation should be anticipated.

SHELTER IN PLACE

Critical facilities that cannot evacuate (hospitals, EOCs) must continue to operate

Necessary if fallout/contamination would arrive before evacuation can be completed

Fallout Shelters will be needed to protect against high level radiation/detonation

Shelter-in-place (not necessarily Fallout Shelter) near RDD/very low level

Shelter stay may range from a few days to 2 weeks.

Authorities outside affected area can organize rescue/evacuation effort

Shelter occupants may be exposed and/or contaminated.

SHELTER IN PLACE

Necessary if operations can not be transferred or if staff, patients or clients cannot evacuate

Necessary if needed to support operations of other response agencies

Must have Radiological Monitoring & Exposure Control capabilities

Critical Facilities may be used to shelter families of the staff

Critical Facilities will not be used to shelter the general public.

DECONTAMINATION after a flood or attackStart immediately, even if you don’t know what the agent is. Sandia decontamination foam (US Patent 6,566,574 B1) sold as Scott's Liquid Gold Mold Control 500 in hardware stores.

Is effective against most chemical and biological agents, including nerve, blister, anthrax, SARS, Norwalk, avian and common flu.

Widely used for hospital /hotel sanitization mold remediation in commercial buildings, cleaning / neutralizing agricultural sprayers.

Moderate cost, about $30 at Home Depot.

http://www.sandia.gov/news/resources/releases/2007/moldcontrol.html

EXPEDIENT FIELD DECONTAMINATIONEXPEDIENT FIELD DECONTAMINATION

if you are contaminated:if you are contaminated: Remove everything, including jewelry Cut off clothing normally removed over the head Place contaminated clothing in plastic bag, tie closed Wash your hands before using them to shower Flush entire body with cool water Blot dry with absorbent cloth Put on clean clothes Avoid use of affected areas, to prevent re-exposure If professional help arrives, report to responders for

thorough decontamination and medical assessment.

NUCLEAR ATTACK ISSUES

Structural damage to shelter from nearby detonation

Fire in the shelter Dangerously high radiation levels Severely high temperatures and

humidity Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide imbalance

in the shelter Depletion of essential supplies Disease and injury Unrest, anxiety, crime or defiance of

order or authority

Substantial barriers offer best protection

Time - Fallout radiation intensity decays rapidly;90% in just the first 7 hours. The less time you spend in a radiation field, the less dose received.

Distance - The farther you are from a source, the less dose you receive.

Shielding - Denser (heavier, massive) materials absorb more radiation. Greater thickness of any given material absorbs more radiation.

Protection Factors & Mass of Protection Factors & Mass of MaterialsMaterials

How Much Protection?

PF* Lead Steel Concrete Earth Water Wood 2 .3"" .7" 2.0" 3.3" 5" 9" 4 .5" 1.5" 5.0" 7.0" 10" 15" 8 1.0" 2.0" 6.5" 10.0" 15" 27" 16 1.2" 3.0" 9.0" 14.0" 20" 3 ft 32 1.5" 4.0" 12.0" 15.0" 2 ft 4 ft 64 2.0" 4.2" 13.2" 19.8" 2.5ft 4.5 ft 128 2.1" 5.0" 15.0" 2 ft 3 ft 5 ft1000 3.0" 7.0" 22.0" 33.0" 4 ft -2000 3.3" 7.7" 2 ft 3 ft 4.5 ft -

Outside radiation, divided by the Protection Factor, is reduced in proportion. For example, if the outside radiation rate is 1,000 R/hr, a person shielded by 3 ft. of earth would receive a dose rate of .5 R/hr. but a person shielded by 1 ft of earth would receive about 10 R/hr.

*PF = “Protection Factor” refers to the ratio between the radiation dose rate of the OUTSIDE to that INSIDE the shelter, for instance a PF = 10 means that the inside dose rate is 1/10th the outside rate.

IMPROVE HOME FALLOUT PROTECTION

Increase shielding by:1) Plan / improvise vents, ventilation & 2

entrances. 2) Add wooden shoring supports below each

story.3) Add up to 12” maximum dirt on upper

floors/roof. 4) Cover window opening with plywood

sheeting.5) Pile dirt to ceiling height along outside

walls & windows.

Sheltering at Home During an Emergency

For using a building without working utilities as shelter Exhaust – candles, camp stoves,

lanterns, generators, heaters, charcoal grills, all generate carbon monoxide and must not be used indoors!

Open flame – above ignition sources must never be left unattended!

Fuel – most of the above require flammable fuels to operate, which must be stored outdoors.– Use Fire Marshal approved fuel

containers

14

Generator Safety Tips Generator Safety Tips From the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Carbon monoxideCarbon monoxide hazard! hazard! – Never use indoors or in attached garages!

– Set up OUTDOORS in well ventilated, dry area

– Away from open windows or HVAC air intakes

– Under a canopy, open shed or carport

ElectrocutionElectrocution Hazard! Hazard!– Ground both the generator and equipment!

– Plug only individual devices into generator– DO NOT connect into household AC!

– UL-rated cords of gage adequate for load

Explosion / fire hazardExplosion / fire hazard!!– Fuel vapors traveling along the ground can be ignited

by switching equipment or appliance pilot lights!

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/portgen.pdf

Improvised Emergency SheltersAs in all real estate, most important is location: Avoid low spots with poor drainage Seek a gently sloped area so that

surface water drains away Sheltered from prevailing winds Away from bodies of water

(attracts insects and animals) Insulated from direct contact with

ground, rock, or concrete, which conducts away body heat.

15

Avoid as shelter

Areas around downed utility lines

In or near culverts Within the

“collapse zone” of a damaged building – (maintain 2:1 ratio of

distance away to building height)

16

Improvised Shelters

Sheds Tents Tarps Vehicles

17

Don’t disable a good car!

Remove car batteries to power communications and shelter lighting only from cars that do not start – If a car starts reserve it for emergency

evacuation, or– Use it as a “battery charger” – Salvage lighting, remove dome lights, tail lights,

trunk lights, etc. & with at least 36” of wires.– Position batteries in shelter; attach wires &

lights– As batteries discharge, replace with new

batteries or recharge batteries.

Emergency Shelter MaterialsSalvage building materials from debris or from damaged structures only when it can be done safely

TYVEK building wrap Plastic sheeting Roofing paper and shingles Siding, plywood Chain link fence Lumber Carpeting Wire, rope, and fasteners

18

Build Your Shelter In Layers

Structural framing, lumber, plywood, fencing, metal Fasteners, reinforce structural connections with

nails, wire or rope ties, wooden spikes Water and wind proofing, TYVEK, plastic sheeting,

tarp, shingles, roofing paper Insulation, drywall, leaves, tree branches, carpeting,

(may also be used as ballast to hold water/wind proofing layer in place)

19

SIGNALLING

Day– Mirror flashes – best daylight signal device– Smoke– Brightly colored cloth flag / panel (VS-17)– ICAO surface-to-air signals

Night– Flashing strobe light– Fire– Signal flares

Sound – Whistle, vehicle horn

V Require assistanceX Need medical assistanceY Yes - affirmativeN No - negative

→ I am proceeding in this direction

20

http://www.bestglide.com/VS17_Signal_Panel.html

Signal Mirror Simple, inexpensive, effective Doesn’t rely on batteries or

pyrotechnics Visible from 5 to 10 miles in

daylight

21

FIRE

Maintains body temperature Great morale booster Deters wild animals and insects Boils water Cooks food Used as day (smoke) or night (light) signal

22

Fire making methods

Matches or lighter Flint and steel

– Use cotton ball and petroleum jelly as tinder

Battery and steel wool Burning lens

23http://www.ehow.com/how_18193_make-fire-starters.html

WATER

Minimum for drinking– 1 gallon per person, per day

More water is needed for – Cooking and food preparation– Personal hygiene, sanitation and

decontamination Store a two week supply as minimum

– Food grade containers with screw caps– Away from direct sunlight

24

Emergency Water Sources

Captive water in household hot water tank and interior plumbing is OK

Filter cloudy water to remove particulates, using an EPA-rated filter with a pore size ≤ 1 micron, then:

Disinfect with Clorox (6% sodium hypochlorite) add 8 drops of bleach per gallon if clear, 16 drops if cloudy, let water stand 15 minutes before use

Or boil vigorously for 15 minutes Store potable water in clean containers.

25

All surface water is contaminated!

All natural sources (from springs, ponds, rivers or streams) must be boiled or chemically disinfected.

Chemical disinfection or boiling – Kills bacteria and viruses– Doesn’t remove particulates or chemical pollutants

Filtration– Coffee filters, etc. remove gross particulates only– EPA-rated filters (pore size is smaller than 1 micron) are

needed to remove bacteria, viruses and Giardia cysts, but don’t remove chemical pollutants.

Distillation is the most effective method.

26

FOOD

Lowest of the seven survival priorities

Need is mostly mental, because we are used to eating regularly

Healthy people will do OK without food for a week or more, if they are well hydrated

Balanced nutrition is a more important health factor for elderly and infants.

27

Shelf life of foods stored in the home Food in a refrigerator is safe for a day after the power goes off,

either use it in 24 hours or throw it away Frozen food is safe if there are still ice crystals, once thawed,

cook and consume it within 24 hours Next use non-perishables and dry staples Canned foods are best for long term storage (up to 4 years) but

are heavy to transport and bulky to store Dry packaged foods are easiest to transport Choose foods requiring minimal preparation Eat at least one balanced meal daily Include nutritional supplements in supplies Drink enough water.

28

Emergency Food supplies

MREs, or Heater Meals® Prepared survival rations Primitive survival methods:

– Fishing– Hunting– Trapping– Foraging

29

TOOLS and EQUIPMENT

Folding utility knife or multi-tool– Scout type, Leatherman®, Swiss Army or Mil-K-

818

Manual can opener Sturdy fixed blade

– For chopping, digging, or as pry bar

Shovel Hand saw Axe

30

↓

OTHER SUPPLIESEach person should have their own backpack of personal essentials

Flashlight Portable radio Extra batteries First Aid Kit, (containing a first aid manual)(containing a first aid manual) Personal medications and sanitation supplies Cooking and eating utensils Wool blanket or sleeping bag for each person Sturdy shoes and extra socks Rain gear Change of warm clothing and underwear Items for special needs, care of infants

31

DISASTER FINANCIAL PLANNING

Electronic transactions, account verifications may be impossible

Evacuate with enough cash for at least two weeks of essentials

Carry account numbers, contact addresses and telephone numbers for all important persons and institutions

Helping one's unprepared friends and neighbors may prove expensive!

32

http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/FinRecovery/FinPlan/

SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF DISASTERS

Cumulative psychological effects upon survivors Evacuate or Stay? – Do you have a plan? Where will you go? Is it safe to travel? Can you REALLY get there? Do

you have enough resources to make it work? Warn friends not to invite others to come and

evacuate with them– They’ll overwhelm your limited resources!

Never allow family members to be separated– Even if it means waiting for later rescue and/or evacuation

The well prepared may be threatened by those who weren't – get to know your neighbors NOW for a safer community later in case of a disaster– Make plans to ensure neighborhood security/family protection– Post a guard in rotating shifts, to deter roving criminals or looters – Keep firearms and ammunition safely secured – Take a home firearms safety-protection course

33

Lessons from Hurricane KatrinaWhen help arrives, you may get it “…….whether you want it or not.”

Don't believe that all rescuers will respect your property

Relief workers from other States often don't know local laws

Relief organizations have their own bureaucratic requirements that may conflict with your needs

Expect frustration over lack of communication and empathy by rescuers and local/State government.

IN CONCLUSION: Positive attitudePositive attitude – Stop Think Observe Plan First Aid / Sanitation – First Aid / Sanitation – Maintain proper hygiene, Maintain proper hygiene,

preserve family health, and prevent illness or injurypreserve family health, and prevent illness or injury Shelter – Shelter – Protection from environmental hazardsProtection from environmental hazards Signaling / Communication- Signaling / Communication- be heard / seenbe heard / seen Fire – Warmth, light, food prep, water sterilization Water – Water – Prevent water-borne illnesses throughPrevent water-borne illnesses through f filtration, iltration,

chemical sterilization, boiling or distillationchemical sterilization, boiling or distillation Food – Food – EEat at least one balanced meal daily, drink enough

water, include nutritional supplements Equipment- Equipment- Flashlight, knife, saw, axe, shovelFlashlight, knife, saw, axe, shovel Planning – Planning – Prepare a Kit, Make A Plan!Prepare a Kit, Make A Plan! www.Ready.gov www.Ready.gov

Sources for further information

http://www.fema.gov/txt/library/f&web.txt http://www.vaemergency.com/prepare/planning/index.cfm http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/housing/356-479/356-479.html http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/psa/riskmgt/disastersupplies.htm http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/disaster_prep/ http://www.dougritter.com/home.htm http://www.domprep.com/legacy/dpjournal/DPJournal0607.pdf http://www.domprep.com/Resilience/Resilience_Tips/ http://www.cityofmemphis.org/pdf_forms/dirtyBlast.pdf http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/dirtybombs.asp http://www.oism.org/nwss/s73p926.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survival_skills http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/find.asp?State=VA&Type=HFS

Acknowledgements Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Huntsville-Madison County, Alabama, EMA Doug Ritter Derek Rowan Steve Willey University of Florida IFAS Extension Virginia Cooperative Extension Service Virginia Department of Emergency Management Virginia Department of Health Virginia RACES, Incorporated