COVER
Happy Holidays! Preparing for Your Future Cuomo: Time to Revamp NYC Emergency Preparedness Winter Pet Safety 101 Holiday Safety Tips for the Home ‘Twas The Night Before a Snowstorm... EMP Preparations for the Average Family Electric Power Blackout: The Power of One
EMPower Magazine IN THIS ISSUE Preparing for Your Future..........................................................4 Cuomo: Time to Revamp NYC Emergency Preparedness ............................................................6 Winter Pet Safety 101.......................................................................7 Holiday Safety Tips for the Home..............................................8 ‘Twas The Night Before a Snowstorm....................................9 EMP Preparations for the Average Family........................... 10 Electric Power Blackout: The Power of One............................................................................ 12
EMPACT AMERICA’S EMPOWER MAGAZINE is published by EMPact America, Inc.
Contributors: David Bellavia Kathryn DeLong Ross Howarth Cristina Maxon Michelle McCulloch Amy Thompson
EMPact America
David Bellavia, President Ross Howarth, Vice President EMPact America PO Box 124 Elma, New York 14059 www.EMPactAmerica.org (716) 435-7873 info@EMPactAmerica.org To submit story ideas, event information, or corrections, send an email to webmaster@EMPactAmerica.org
AMERICA IN THE DARK: 2-DISK SET Empact america’s america in the dark 2 disc set will be available for order online through preparehub. Org this month.
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December 2012
EMPower Magazine On behalf of all of us at EMPact America, have a Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah. May 2013 bring peave through strength in America. May our prayers be answered that America andthat our government rises to the challeneges we face in the new year.
December 2012
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EMPower Magazine
PREPARING FOR YOUR FUTURE Each year in December, American’s begin to prepare for certain changes they would like to institute in their lives that would create a better future for themselves and their families. In fact, according to the University of Scranton’s Journal of Clinical Psychology, 45% of American’s make New Year’s Resolutions each year. As average American’s continue the tradition this year, Congress should also be taking a serious look at the lack of preparedness and action it takes to secure our nation’s future. Preparing for our future is more important today than ever. As congress readies to finalize the 112th session, it is obvious that their work ethic and resolve is inadequate at best. In fact, this congress is the most do nothing congress in history and only looks to continue down that path into the 113th Congress. Very little electoral changes took place in November, so we can most likely expect partisan bickering and inaction on all the things so vitally important to our country’s future.
Topping the New Year’s resolution list is the need to create and sustain each individual’s personal financial stability. Similarly, our congress has the same issue topping its list of 2013 initiatives. As the “fiscal cliff” looms on the horizon, our representatives continue to ignore the real threats that we are facing. The power struggles that are ensuing in our nation’s capital are a detrimental display of pride and arrogance and must be conquered by those who truly want to assert positive changes for our economy’s future. As we assess our own future financial goals, it is important to take personal responsibility for creating our security to the extent that we are able. Budgeting,
planning, saving and being careful with spending vs. our revenues are things we strive to do on a daily basis. If we don’t be realistic in this process, our future financial security will suffer greatly.
Congress should work to be as efficient and dedicated in their endeavors. If our elected officials, whom we entrust to work diligently on our behalf, continue with their spending spree, we will all suffer the continuing consequences of an economy in crisis.
As you are most likely aware, congress has pushed critical issues to the side in favor of money and power for themselves and their colleagues. Two very important issues continue to be put on the backburner in spite of factual evidence that shows it could be the downfall of our great nation
Financial security and critical infrastructure protection are the two issues to which I am referring.
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EMPower Magazine
Ironically, if financial goals drive your New Year’s resolution list, the government has a great resource for you to get started. Visit the FTC website for tips and advice. Maybe they should practice what they preach and follow their own advice. For a direct example of how legislative inaction affects our everyday lives one has to look no further than the manufacturing and job sector. According to the recent report from the Institute for Supply Managements Index, manufacturing activity has fallen to its lowest level since 2009 on fears of inaction. Small businesses see the looming fiscal cliff as a barrier to expanding and investing in their companies and workforce. The Congresses failure to act to mitigate the upcoming cliff has driven a hole in Americans faith in their elected officials.
The unsustainable path that we are on needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Unfortunately, legislative inaction does not stop there. Since the 106th Congress in 1999/2000, legislative action has been in constant decline. During that session of congress, 7,460 bills were introduced and only 6% were actually passed. In today’s 112th congress, 3% of introduced bills have become law. December 2012
In the same way we should be preparing to keep our finances intact, congress should be preparing to protect and secure our families from potentially devastating impact issues. Recently, the job market has taken another hit due to the recent hurricane which hit New York and New Jersey. Imagine the impact if the nation as a whole was to be affected by threats that would wipe out our electrical and communication systems. `Experts say it could happen, and have laid out the possible scenarios. Many legislators have agreed with the experts, but others have chosen to take the interests of the energy lobby and leave legislation dead in committee. The devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy were only a mild representation of the possible crisis our nation would face.
Prepare and anticipate the needs of you and your family should circumstances beyond your control change life as you know it.
So as we are forming our New Year’s resolutions, congress joins us in setting the agenda for the people. Many of the issues are parallel with our own personal challenges. The only difference is, we work harder and more effectively knowing that our future is dependent on our own preparedness. We understand that if we don’t take matters seriously, the outcome will hurt those we love and create an uncertain future for years to come. It is important to remember that our legislative and executive branches may not fulfill their elected duties and in the end we will be responsible for our own preparedness efforts. So join the 45% of Americans who plan to better their futures. -5-
EMPower Magazine
CUOMO: TIME TO REVAMP NYC EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS by Kathryn Delong Last month, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the formation of three new commissions: the NYS 2100 Commission, the NYS Respond Commission, and the NYS Ready Commission. According to a November 15 press release, Governor Cuomo believes that the commissions will be instrumental in overhauling and improving New York’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities.
The NY 2100 Commission will improve the resilience and strength of the state’s infrastructure to safeguard from natural disasters and other emergencies. The NYS Respond Commission will find ways to ensure that the state is adequately prepared to respond to future natural disasters. The NYS Ready Commission will find ways to guarantee that critical systems and services are prepared for and protected from future disasters and emergencies. “Over the past two years, New York State has been hit by some of the most destructive storms in our state’s history, causing untold damage and the tragic loss of many lives,” Governor Cuomo said. “Regardless of the cause of these storms, New York State must undertake major reforms to adapt to the reality that storms such as Sandy, Irene, and Lee can hit the state at any - 6 -
time. For this reason, I have charged these three commissions to seriously examine existing systems and present a comprehensive blueprint so we can bring our emergency preparedness and response capabilities into the 21st century and ensure our infrastructure is built to survive major weather incidents.” The commissions’ preliminary recommendations must be submitted to the Governor by January 3, 2013, but it will be difficult to judge the effectiveness of these recommendations until another large-scale disaster or emergency occurs. Governor Cuomo has also proposed a $9.08 billion prevention and mitigation plan to protect New York City from future natural disasters. Provisions include placing electrical transformers in the upper floors of commercial buildings, constructing a sea wall, and requiring health facilities to have backup power on higher ground. The NY 2100 Commission, NYS Respond Commission, and NYS Ready Commission are expected to consider the Governor’s recommendations when crafting their own proposals. New Yorkers may find it encouraging that state officials are being reactive and making operational changes. But government is flawed and its resources are limited. There’s no guarantee that its efforts will be successful, which is why it’s so important that individuals, families, and communities continue to prepare. We cannot depend solely on the government. We must take preparedness into our own hands. Even if the state is successful in its new preparedness and response initiatives, these efforts will be squandered if residents haven’t taken steps on their own to prepare.
Hurricane Sandy hit New York City hard, and it makes sense that the Governor’s attention is focused on that area. But residents in the rest of New York State and across the country can’t be lackadaisical and must be proactive. Don’t wait for the government to take the lead because it might not until it’s too late. Don’t wait for another Hurricane Sandy. Prepare now, so you can be safe later For more information, please read Governor Cuomo’s press release.
Damage from Hurricane Sandy
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo December 2012
EMPower Magazine
WINTER PET SAFETY 101 Winter is here, and it’s important that our families – including our pets – are prepared for whatever the season may bring. Keep your animals safe, happy, and healthy this winter with these helpful tips. • Despite all the fur, cats and dogs can get cold, too. Make sure your four-legged friend has somewhere warm to take shelter. Even outdoor cats that are used to cooler temperatures need a place away from the cold when nighttime temperatures drop into the low 40s. Pet stores often carry nonelectric heated mats and blankets that will keep your animal warm. Stock up on pet food, supplies, and medications. A blizzard could leave you stuck in your house for a few days. Keep your animal away from antifreeze, which can be fatal if consumed. Make sure your car isn’t leaking antifreeze, and keep antifreeze containers tightly closed and out of your pet’s reach. If you travel with your pet, keep supplies, food, and water in your vehicle in case you get stuck on the roads. This type of situation could make your animal feel anxious or panicked, so have a familiar toy or blanket on hand. Keep your pet away from enticing holiday treats and decorations. Mistletoe is poisonous if ingested, and low-hanging ornaments and lights can be hazardous, as well. Provide your animal with plenty of fresh water. According to the American Kennel Club, dogs are just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer. If your pet is an outdoor animal, make sure it has a source of water that won’t freeze when temperatures drop. Pet stores carry heated bowls that are perfect for this time of year.
animals won’t even tolerate clothes. Avoid taking your pet outside for prolonged periods of time in frigid weather, and never leave it outdoors without supervision.
Identify a friend or family member who can care for your pet if you get stuck somewhere due to severe weather and can’t make it home. Cold weather exacerbates some health conditions in cats and dogs, including arthritis. If your pet is having trouble getting around, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Never medicate your animal without consulting a doctor first. Pets are usually less active and don’t spend as much time outdoors in the winter. Make sure your pet is still getting plenty of exercise. You may want to consider adjusting your animal’s diet during the winter months so it maintains a healthy weight. If you live in an area where flooding is common during the winter, have a pet emergency kit on hand in case you have to evacuate. The kit should include food, water, medical records, medications, toys, and other things to make your pet feel comfortable. Many shelters do not allow animals, so make arrangements with a friend or family member, or check which hotels in your area allow pets. Always take your animal with you if you need to leave your home. Make sure your pet has an ID tag that is up to date with your name, phone number, and address. Ice and snow can hinder your animal’s sense of smell, and it may become disoriented or lost. Microchipping your animal is also a good idea. Snuggle up! Cats and dogs have a higher normal body temperature than you, so there’s nothing cozier than cuddling with your pet on cold winter nights.
Rinse and dry your pet’s paws, legs, and stomach to prevent frostbite and remove salt and ice that can irritate your animal’s footpads. Rub Vaseline on your pet’s paws before going outside to prevent the snow from sticking. Bundling up your pet doesn’t guarantee warmth, and many December 2012
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EMPower Magazine
‘Tis the season of candles, HOLIDAY FIRE SAFETY TIPS: SECRET but SIMPLE SAFETY TIP Christmas cookies and Between 2005-2009, U.S. fire departments for TREES: responded to an average of 240 home cranberry sauce, but don’t fires that started with Christmas trees While collapsing Christmas trees might per year. These fires caused an average make for a great montage on America’s get caught up! Careless of 13 deaths, 27 injuries, and $16.7 million Funniest Videos, no one wants risk an catastrophes, crimes and other in direct property damage annually. accident or suffer damage to decorations, not to mention the mess. The simple tip: calamities can really put you can use clear fishing-line and a simple hook to secure your tree to the ceiling. a crimp in your candy cane. So whether its ham, holly or just holding hands that heightens your heart, being hawkeyed about hazards and as a habit will come in handy. Taking a few extra measures can keep your home happy and hazard free this (and every) holiday.
Natural trees can become dried out and easily catch fire. To play it safe, cut your tree down as close to the holidays as possible, and cut the trunk at a 45-degree angle so it is able to absorb the most water. Make sure to fill the tree stand with water every day. Check the packaging of your new decorations, did you know that many are marked as “non-flammable” and these are the SAFEST decorations to use, especially if there is a concern with small children or pets in the home. Did you know? The SAFEST Christmas tree is a potted evergreen. These wont dry out, and can be replanted in your yard in the springtime. Only keep these trees inside for about 3 weeks, as they will acclimate to indoor temperature and can have a tough time transitioning back outdoors. You can wrap the tree in burlap and store it in a garage or similar area until the ground thaws in spring.
Never leave candles burning when you leave the house or go to bed, and supervise burning candles especially near flammable decorations and pine needles. When starting a fire in the family fireplace, be mindful of flammable objects like wrapping paper and decorations. Open the flue and always use an ash screen, as embers and sparks can sometimes jump out of the fire and land on trees, pine needles, gifts, furniture, curtains, etc.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS SAFETY TIPS: The older your string of lights, the more likely it is to have worn or frayed fire, lose plugs, and cracked light sockets. The SAFEST lights for indoors are brand new strings of small light bulbs. The larger bulbs get extremely hot and can be a fire hazard near the tree and decorations. Only use large bulbs outside and check to make sure they’re in good condition. Never leave the holiday lights on inside the house when you leave for long periods of time, and unplug them overnight.
CAUTION: Did you know? Tinsel can contain LEAD, which can be dangerous to children and adults if swallowed. Check packaging, or if unsure, dispose of old tinsel. Mistletoe, the beloved romantic symbol during the holidays, is actually a poisonous plant! Use imitation mistletoe, or if you prefer the real thing, make sure it is securely fastened and away from little ones. Article By Cristina Maxon
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EMPower Magazine
the night before a snowstorm, and all through the area, the preppers were prepping, to prevent mass hysteria. The children had a checklist, a kit and a plan with visions of school closings, thanks to the weatherman. With Mom and her flashlights and Dad repeating his coaching, the family was ready for the snowstorm approaching. When out on the lawn arose such a clatter, wind knocked out the branches, the car windshield shattered, Then outside the window there was a great flash, Power lines up the street came down with a crash. The storm persisted and dropped feet of snow, there was a heavy ice coating to all objects below. No power in the house, yet this family has no fear, they’ve got enough food and water for a year! The parents were not worried, the kids were not scared, With blankets and candles, this clan was prepared. They could keep warm ‘til morning, but not too much later, Dad went out with gasoline and powered up the generator. They dug out with shovels and checked on the neighbors and others help clear driveways with manual labor, the community came together and proved that they cared, so try to remember this lesson we’ve shared: Get prepared today! And do so with urgency, talk to your family about what to do BEFORE an emergency, At holiday time and all year round, too, preparedness brings peace of mind to all those around you. December 2012
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EMPower Magazine OUR EMP PREPARATIONS Hiroschima was one of the lasting horrors of WWII. In 1962, Life Magazine featured stop action pictures of nuclear bomb testing. I saw the overwhelming power of the bombs in these tests, - the last above ground. I read of the surprise shorts of traffic lights in Hawaii, 1,500 miles away. It was 2005 when I read of an even worse danger, - EMP, 100,000 volts of momentary power blasting through all wires from a nuclear detonation in the atmosphere above our country. What if the power goes out so completely that nothing can be turned back on for months or years? I had lived through damage from ice storms that lasted 3 weeks. It was horrible, no lights, no heat, no fridge, no toilets, no showers, freezing cold everywhere. Luckily I was also a Boy Scout as a youth, so, Be Prepared, was my motto. In the ice storm, all the wires were good, just no power and the owner was frozen. So I prepared well for the NEXT ice storm, leading to my preparations for EMP. We are blessed to have a 7 acre farm in the country. We have a small pond, fed by a stream. We made room in our basement for canned food. We went on shopping trips to sales and warehouse shopping stores. Each box has a similar mixed variety of food. Meat in a can, beef from Argentina, Spam, canned turkey, chicken, and tuna fish. We have bought soups of all kinds, vegetables, B&M brown bread, rice in huge bags which we poured into jars that we warmed in the oven, before closing. Each box was dated when put on the shelves, in our cool basement. With bulk toilet paper, and flour and other baking supplies. Oatmeal in huge bags we stored in jars, too. We like bread! Crackers double wrapped in big Mylar bags washed and saved from other snacks. After a few years of shopping, mixing the foods, packing and marking boxes, we think we have $2,000 tied up in the basement. Fresh potatoes store well in bags and baskets in the cool dark part of the basement. We have ten baskets of white and sweet, covered with newspaper. We always had to carry water to our barn - 10 -
since there’s no water pipes out there, so we have collected used bottles from milk and juices. These are rinsed and then a tiny shot of windex added before the last rinse, clean the lids and threads before filling to the top with water. These are stashed under work benches and the steps, the wash tubs, and we keep adding more all the time, same in the barn.. We are planning to add a farm pump to an old dug well on the property; we plan to flush toilets with buckets of water from the pond. We bought a woodstove and began collecting piles of hardwood logs and covering with stiff tarps. Have yet to split these but have the tools. We use a portable camping gas stove with propane bottles, for cooking during the ice storms. We also have a boat stove that you pump and several cans of alcohol. The wood stove can be used, for cooking, too. We bought a generator and had the electrician modify the power system of the house so the main can be disconnected, all breakers shut off, the generator started and hooked up to a big receptacle he installed in our open shed, out back. Then only fridge, furnace, and well are turned back on. We drain the fuel and run it dry after each use. We store 35 different 5 gal cans of gasoline in another shed. Each is treated with marine sta-bil, to guard against spoilage. In case of fire we have extinguishers on the corners of most of the buildings,
in handy spots, out of the weather. Did you know that extinguishers need to be inverted and shaken up before use? The powder settles and may fail to dispense. Check that the pin is in place and a thin bag tie holds it there. We decided to put spare clothes out in the garden shed. Old pants, coats, hats, gloves, underwear, socks, and shoes for each person wrapped up and stuffed into big old tins we found at a flea market. We have sorted our radios and antennas and batteries and put these in cardboard boxes that fit in metal boxes. Metal boxes are not easy to find at first but more and more we have found them at moving sales and surplus stores, to store, radios, and rolls of wire of all kinds. We now have boxes waiting to be filled when time permits. We were even able to find one large enough to cover the generator when not in use. We have filled an old refrigerator with radios, batteries and antennas. These include Am-fm, December 2012
EMPower Magazine
shortwave, VHF marine, and CB, all battery models, that I have found. We made a case for our gun, with plastic sewage pipe and end caps, store a considerable amount of ammo in huge snack jars, with tight lids. These are hidden underneath the garden shed. We like older cars and have several models made before `72, which still use points. We have stored spare tune up parts and spare battery cables in small metal boxes in the trunk. Whether starters and generators will still work, is unclear. We have fixed up our camper trailer as a spare home. Put lots of food in boxes under the bunks, spare clothes and cooking gear, matches in there, too, in case the house catches fire, or shelter for others. Did you know that a 5 gallon paint bucket and an old toilet seat can make an emergency toilet? Just fill half full with water, add privacy and TP. We have bicycles for local transportation, and cartridge masks in case of poor air quality, paper suits and rubber gloves. We have boxes of barbed wire and razor wire stored in our old van, if we have to surround the house, in case of marauders. We hope that all these preparations will never be necessary. We will always be glad we took the time to prepare as security and peace of mind go hand in hand. As time goes on we hope to share more tips and ideas.
Howard and Cheryl Johnson, ~Upper Marlboro, Maryland
December 2012
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EMPower Magazine ELECTRIC POWER BLACKOUT: THE POWER OF ONE Article by General Ken Chrosniak
POWER AUTHORITY Join host Kathryn DeLong each Friday for a new episode of the “Power Authority” podcast. Coming up in October, Kathryn interviews name and etc. Available for download or online listening, the “Power Authority” podcast began in August and is available at www.EMPactRadio.org/ power-authority
BALANCE OF POWER your preparedness plans. Visit www. EMPactRadio.org/ to listen online or download MP3 files for your iPod and other digital audio devices.
ON TARGET The “On Target” podcast is recorded by EMPact’s president, David Bellavia, bringing us brief messages that challenge us to keep working hard on the important issues facing us today. Visit www.EMPactRadio.org/on-target to listen online or download an MP3 for an iPod or other portable digital audio devices.
ON EMPACT The “On EMPact” podcast is recorded by EMPact’s Vice President, Ross Howarth, bringing us brief messages that challenge us to keep working hard on the important issues facing us today. Visit www.EMPactRadio.org/onempact to listen online or download an MP3 for an iPod or other portable digital audio devices.
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There exists a clear and present danger to you, your family and your community; the loss of sustained electric power. As of now, absolutely no government entity (except for the Department of Defense (DoD)) has initiated plans for survival from a catastrophic breakdown of our electric grid over multiple regions of America. Even worse, the U.S. government lacks the ability and inclination to provide you with critical information for your survival and wellbeing. Even though there exists grace and beauty all around us, we are constantly being bombarded with 24/7/365 news, -mostly negative. While I hesitate to add more angst to your life in these very anxious times, near the end, I’ll give you a glimmer of hope on what positive action you can do. That’s my goal in this ‘conversation’ with you. My perspective is from a private citizen and former soldier, formed from the foundation of a history/english major and not a scientist (actually it’s an advantage). This is a very complicated problem set with many moving parts that affect you directly, and our very survival as a sovereign nation. It’s best to leave it to you and me to the chase, and get a good picture of the condition of our country.
We are totally dependent on electricity;
we literally cannot survive without it. Our extremely tenuous electric grid, comprised of hundreds of vulnerable power extra high voltage (EHV) transformers and over 200,000 miles of aged transmission lines, is the ‘circulatory system’ that runs our country and touches every aspect of your life such as water pressure for daily use, sanitation and fighting fires; your cell phone; the Internet (that makes it possible for the doctor to order Insulin for your child); the supply chain to deliver that Insulin to you; pumping systems to cool the nuclear
power plant core rods and spent fuel pools; Wall Street and ATM’s; medical services; all forms of transportation; oil refinery production; refrigeration; military installations and defense industrial bases; your social security/ pension check, and virtually all types of emergency communications used by Fire, Police, and EMS to name just a few. Mr. Joseph McClelland, Director of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) expressed further concern that private power utilities are not truly prepared to handle a catastrophic EMP event, and stated that the effects of such an event would be profound on the entire national grid system. Most crucial are the 350 plus large EHV transformers that are vulnerable to all threats; and there are little to no replacements on-hand; and, worst of all, they are not made in the US! Each requires significant design configuration, which takes nearly two years to make, and significant transportation support to put in place. Worst case (remember to always plan for worst case), we will not be able to order nor have the capability to deliver them for multiple years. It’s difficult to effect change in a person or group through fear alone; and my intent is not to. But weren’t we vividly reminded most recently of our archaic and delicate electric grid as a result of hurricane Sandy in NY and NJ, and before that the Derecho storm that hit the Baltimore-DC-Philadelphia corridor? Fortunately we had fire and EMS service for these desperate times within the regional area to help. Driving to New York City on Friday afternoon just two days before Sandy hit, I passed a convoy of utility trucks (cherry pickers) headed east. They were being repositioned as a result of pre-existing plans for assistance. However, in the event of a simultaneous ‘multi-regional catastrophic’ event, that support can’t will not be available from neighboring regions as they will experience similar problems plus road/traffic congestion, and limited to no communication capability (especially the tenuous 911 system).
December 2012
EMPower Magazine
The real downer here is that most likely there won’t be a power source to work with if they do arrive. Also, remember this past spring when the Earth experienced an X5 level solar flare (coronal mass ejection)? While it did some harm (mostly to GPS and communications), many factors precluded it from hitting us ‘head on’; but mainly pure luck. While solar events occur often, with the most sensational one’s occurring in 1859, 1923, 1989 and 2001, a massive solar event occurring now would totally destroy modern electronics and leave us “in the dark” for months, if not years. NASA Goddard Space Center and many national solar experts have predicted increased solar activity between now and 2014, with a significant peak activity during 2013. Have you also been told that there are manmade threats existing to the electric power grid, in addition to solar flares and devastating Sandy-type storms? No, probably not. One is an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) generated from a highaltitude nuclear burst which will destroy outdated and vulnerable high voltage transformers (of which power utilities have critically low spares) and the tenuous transmission system. Let me add to these threats the insidious risk of a coordinated cyber and physical attack on our power generation plants and critical infrastructures.
That’s right, most likely all these threats are unknown to you as your local, state and federal leaders have not prepared you for the effects of these catastrophic highimpact/low-frequency events. December 2012
Taken individually, each threat could result in long-term failure of the electric grid. To give you some perspective, a 2001 congressionally mandated EMP commission of eminent scientists (after an eight year study) concluded in 2008 that over 2/3rds of our population would perish within one year of a nation-wide “grid-down” event. A recently declassified 2007 National Academies report on power grid vulnerabilities stated that cyberattacks, unlike natural disasters, probably could not cause lengthy blackouts. That was not true then, and it’s certainly not true now.
DHS is fully aware that a cyber attack on the power system could affect large regions of the country for weeks or even months. The result would be significant societal unrest (you can use your imagination here) and helplessness. Has DHS alerted you to that fact? Your First Responder community is not aware of this also, and assistance will not be guaranteed or will be severely compromised as your National Fire Service and fire academies have not addressed this problem-set, and have not developed or exercised plans to protect you. Nor has the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). They have not developed plans or exercise scenarios, or provided guidance to firefighters concerning any long-term power outages plans for emergency service or police. While it’s well-known that DHS, FEMA and state emergency management offices have excellent “All Hazard” (so called) plans ‘on the shelf’, and conduct exercises for local and regional disasters, there are no existing plans or exercises for a prolonged blackout lasting months or years (involving multiple regions in
the continental United States), which will surely result in a tremendous loss of life over time. The closest plan might be the worst case scenario outlined in the recently published National Preparedness Report (March 30, 2012, page 5), where FEMA encourages each local community (of 5-7 million or so) to be ready to handle as many as 260,000 medical casualties beyond the means of ‘government’ help. DHS should develop plans to facilitate command and control (situational awareness), and encourage localized awareness and empowerment. One last area of concern to you first responders out there; how much of a surge capability do you have in your organization? For fire protection alone, agencies of the DHS should ensure that fire apparatus manufacturers produce hardened fire engines, ladder trucks, heavy rescue vehicles and ambulances that can withstand an EMP (hopefully, including a robust E1 HEMP). DHS must produce plans for recovery for maintaining situational awareness and encourage local to state preparation of plans to assist recovery efforts, and regularly exercise those plans. DHS should also ensure development of training material/courses for First Responders (fire, police and EMS) on operational procedures during and after the loss of power, develop an EMP attack consequence assessment tool to perform planning analysis and training (in order to set aside and protect critical equipment), ensure essential 911 communications are hardened and redundant (the 911 system was compromised during the recent Derecho event on the east coast), and enhance mutual relationships for time of need. None of the above is being accomplished right now, as many fire and police chiefs have no idea what to do relative to the catastrophic (if not tragic) effects of having little to no electricity for very prolonged periods of time, over multiple regions of the country. Ask your local fire chief to explain the effects of an electromagnetic pulse on his/her department or the loss of electricity for a long time, and see what she or he has to say. You can then waste more time by asking the police chief the same thing.
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EMPower Magazine Thinking of the military “cavalry coming over the hill” after the blackout? Forget it. Again, plan for the worst case! You won’t be able to count on the military for help as they are not sufficiently hardened against an EMP, nor exercised or trained to withstand the effect of an EMP or the loss of electric power for sustained periods. They, as you, are heavily dependent for support from their surrounding community electric grid, which powers all military posts and their crucial defense industrial base. Certain aspects of the military are hardened. Again, they are wired to the same grid you are. Another area devoid of planning in a grid down event is the effect on nuclear power plant back-up power (batteries and generators) for coolant controls to keep the core and spent fuel pools (which may store numerous discarded rods from the core) cool and temporarily safe. Interesting note: the August 2003 blackout that affected over 90 million people and portions of northeastern U.S. and Canada also shut down over 500 power generating plants, with 22 of them nuclear power plants! To keep the core rods and spent fuel pool cool, batteries last about 12-48 hours at best. Generators, if they start to begin with (remember Fukushima?) will eventually run out of fuel (~30 days) with resupply highly questionable (don’t forget refineries and the transportation system will be affected also). Once generators run out of fuel, venting of Cesiun-134 from the spent fuel pools will occur first, and in little time a compromised core. Let this fact sink in: a nuclear power plant can only be restarted by a full-up external power source; it cannot ‘Black Start’ itself. Need some good news?
Recently a plan was proposed to ‘hard wire’ (EMP proof) a military installation located in VERY close proximity to a hydroelectric generating plant. - 14 -
This hydro plant has attractive attributes: it’s a renewable source of energy that cannot be shut down by lack of a source (H20); it has maintained the Analog system (as opposed to the vulnerable ‘cyber hack-able’ Digital system); and has the distinction of being the only power generating plant remaining operational during the 2003 Northeast blackout. And best of all, it can Black Start a downed nuclear power plant! Absolutely no negatives were noted in the initial study. So what has been done with this basic proposal? Absolutely nothing has yet been done. But if/when completed, it could be a great cookie-cutter model for other hydroelectric plants in our nation, and could provide the military and surrounding community an extended runway, the capability to receive/ store repositioned aircraft, a civilian and military command center, a viable support system for military and civilian emergency services, and a capability to receive, stage and prepare for onward movement of life-sustaining goods, and more (bound only by one’s imagination). And the cost? Let’s say considerably less than the recent ‘Cash-4 Clunkers’ debacle. This project was stalled during the election cycle, buy maybe we can get it going now. Oh yes, one reminder; it can re-start a downed nuclear power plant! Need more good news? DoD is leaning forward in the foxhole, as Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta recently warned of an impending Cyber Pearl Harbor attack that could result in an electric breakdown with cascading failure of critical infrastructure (power generating plants) across the nation. Plans are developing for “islands of power”, micro-grids if you will, to provide sustained power to a number of military installations (and possibly defense industrial base facilities) consisting of solar, wind, and other varied sources of power to provide at least 20% of essential need. Also, a new bipartisan House Resolution 762 encourages local communities to begin the process of doing the same thing in every local community, namely making 20% of what is needed locally such as power and food, so they can withstand
a grid collapse. Support this effort by contacting your federal legislative leaders to support H.R. 762.
It is a basic tenet of sound military planning that a commander’s staff must plan for the worst case situation, and the same should be true for disaster planning. This is where your government is failing you. In addition to H.R. 762, right now Congress is literally sitting on additional legislation that will help protect the grid, and save many lives. The SHIELD Act (H.R. 668) has been held in a congressional committee almost 2 years and will expire on December 31st, 2012. Contact your congressional and senate representatives to bring it to a vote. Additionally (just for the fun of it), contact your local, county, and state representatives and ask them what they are doing to make your community more resilient in the case of an EMP or electric grid blackout. Trust me; they won’t be able to answer you.
It is unfathomable that you have not been told of these threats by your leaders, especially the one agency entrusted to keep you secure and informed. That’s right, the DHS. The threat from either a natural or manmade EMP is very real, and inevitable, as stated by two Congressional EMP Commission reports, as well as studies performed by the National Academy of Science on grid vulnerabilities, the December 2012
EMPower Magazine Northern Electric Reliability Corporation, the NASA Goddard Space Center, the recently declassified (finally by DHS) National Research Council study entitled “Terrorism and the Electric Power Deliver System”, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and many more. Unfortunately (here I am again with the bad news), the time needed to “fix” the grid even if the SHIELD Act bill passes soon will be years, so it is prudent now for you to prepare for a prolonged blackout by storing essential supplies for your own and your family’s survival. Do not continue to think in the false terms of the 72 hour mantra as DHS states! Try to prepare and stock provisions within your financial means to do so, for as long a term as you are financially able to -preferably a year or more. The bottom-line is that your leaders at all levels, and the electric industry, have been negligent in not mitigating this threat, or even developing scenarios and exercises to deal with a complex catastrophic event involving a long duration power blackout over several regions of our country at the same time. For our own survival, and for the survival of our children and our nation, we-and our government-must act now. By reading this, you have taken a step forward that many others may be willing to take also. If you remember nothing else from this message, remember that in the end you are inevitably on your own. I encourage you to contact your federal legislator to support House Resolution 762 and the Shield Act HR 668, but the odds are that these bills will expire on December 31st and will need to be re-introduced (under new HR #’s) in the new congress.
Even more essential, go to the EMPact America website at: empactamerica.org. Consider joining this dedicated nonprofit, non-partisan group December 2012
(which will not take any contributions, not like some congressional leaders and their electric industry donors), and exist only to prepare individuals and communities to survive and work together. Lend your expertise to help others; -- prepare your family and community. Most importantly, talk to your leaders and demand that they do their job. Remember the power of one; you! Ken Chrosniak a retired Army officer living in Carlisle, PA. He is a member of EMPact America, a firefighter with Carlisle Fire Rescue, and also the FBI sponsored INFRAgard. Ken is an instructor at the Army War College.
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December 2012