[ RadSafe ] "Countdown to Zero" disarmament movie

[Brennan, Mike (DOH)]

Hi, Shane.

I don't disagree with anything you've said.  I am convinced that even
minimal training, combined with more extensive planning, can make a big
difference.  As an example, I hold up earthquakes.  Haiti was hit by a
7.0 earthquake, and approaching a quarter of a million people died.
Chile was hit by an 8.8, and less than 500 people died.  I was less than
10 miles from the epicenter of a 6.8 here in Washington, in which no one
died (and yes, I acknowledge there was a fair amount of luck in that).
While there are a lot of factors in the different casualty numbers, the
biggest is building codes that take into account earthquakes (and are
enforced), the next is emergency services, and the next is a public that
has been trained on what to do (and you can argue the order of the last
two).  

I think a lot of preparation that would be useful in a nuclear
detonation scenario can be generalized to other, higher probability
events.  For example, every building built in areas that get hurricanes
should be engineered to withstand high winds, whether they come from a
storm of a or a huge natural gas explosion or a nuke.  Same tornado
areas.  The stores in a secure part of your home work equally well for
sheltering in place because of fallout or being stuck without power
during a blizzard. (I, personally, think that trying to drive out of an
oncoming plume is an excellent way of experiencing it inside a car stuck
in a traffic jam, or of going from someplace that turns out not to be in
the plume to someplace that is.)  Knowing basic first aid is good,
regardless of what caused the injuries.  

I wish you success in convincing people.