Civil Defense Planning - America Quit in the 90's
Sink or Swim - Your Defense is up to YOU! How to Get Started.
The strength of a nation is the strength of its citizens. Who is going to defend the citizens of The United States if our government sends the majority of our soldiers out to fight in foreign lands? Firefighters, paramedics, & law enforcement are stretched pretty thin these days. Can you count the number of able-bodied & willing late teens & early twenties men & women that are signing up to serve our nation on one hand? If we rely on government to protect us during WWIII, we are in trouble my fellow Warriors. Many nations’ citizens are well prepared to protect themselves because they have a guideline called a Civil Defense Plan. They practice their Civil Defense Plan on a regular basis & know what to do when disaster strikes.
Watch this Article
What is a Civil Defense Plan?
The United States Civil Defense Plan was a program created during the Cold War to prepare American citizens for the possibility of a nuclear attack by the Soviet Union. The plan was implemented by the federal government and state and local authorities, and it aimed to protect the civilian population from the effects of a nuclear detonation, such as blast, radiation, and fallout.
The Civil Defense Plan involved a range of measures, including the construction of fallout shelters, the distribution of emergency supplies, and the training of civilians in first aid, firefighting, and other skills needed in the aftermath of an attack. The plan also involved the development of warning systems and evacuation procedures to help people get to safety in the event of an attack.
The Civil Defense Plan was in effect from the 1950s until the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s. While the threat of a nuclear attack has decreased significantly since then, the basic principles of civil defense remain important in preparing for other types of disasters, such as natural disasters, pandemics, and terrorist attacks.
The United States has not had a Civil Defense Plan in 30 years! Clearly the United States governments on both the federal & local levels have become complacent & dropped the ball when it comes to preparing its citizens for disaster. On the other side of the coin, the citizens have become all too accustomed to look toward government & mainstream media for protection & instructions in an emergency. What if an Electromagnetic Pulse destroys all communication for weeks? Are you going to sit there in a panic or are you going to learn how to respond? You have to be prepared as if no one is coming to save you.
Which Nations Have the Best Civil Defense Plans?
Some nations that are often cited as having strong civil defense plans include:
Switzerland: Switzerland is known for its comprehensive civil defense plan that includes provisions for everything from natural disasters to terrorist attacks. The country has a network of thousands of public and private bomb shelters, as well as a warning system that can alert citizens in the event of an emergency.
Japan: Japan has a well-established disaster response system, which is particularly important given the country's vulnerability to earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons. The government has invested heavily in infrastructure such as seawalls and evacuation routes, and has also developed advanced warning systems for earthquakes and tsunamis.
Israel: Israel has one of the most advanced civil defense systems in the world, due in part to the ongoing threat of conflict in the region. The country has developed sophisticated missile defense systems, as well as a well-trained emergency response team.
Singapore: Singapore is known for its efficient and effective disaster response system, which has been honed through years of dealing with natural disasters such as floods and tropical storms. The government has invested in early warning systems and public education campaigns, and has also developed a comprehensive emergency response network.
Germany: Germany has a well-established civil defense plan that includes provisions for everything from natural disasters to terrorist attacks. The country has a network of public and private bomb shelters, as well as a warning system that can alert citizens in the event of an emergency. The government has also invested in emergency response training and equipment for its citizens.
Having lived in Florida for a good portion of my life, I will say the Civil Defense Plan as far as hurricane response is well established. Despite the effort of state & local government to bring awareness to hurricane preparedness each year, many citizens do not invest in supplies & familial planning. The response is similar to winter states receiving a large snow storm; panic buying of milk & bread, cars spinning out all over the roads, & people dying of carbon monoxide poisoning from improper ventilation in stranded cars or heating devices during power outages, etc.
Do Russia & China have a Strategic Advantage?
Russia has a long history of civil defense planning, dating back to the Cold War era. The country maintains a network of bomb shelters and has developed advanced warning systems for natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. In recent years, the government has also invested in modernizing its civil defense infrastructure and equipment.
China has also invested heavily in its civil defense infrastructure in recent years, particularly in response to the ongoing threat of natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and typhoons. The government has developed early warning systems, evacuation plans, and emergency response teams, and has also invested in building new shelters and upgrading existing ones.
Although information on these nation’s Civil Defense Plans are very limited in nature, as of January 19, 2023, air defense systems were spotted on top of Moscow’s buildings close to the Kremlin.
Russian Pantsir-S1 Air Defense Systems Photo Credit: Defense Blog
In addition, the recent Chinese Spy Balloon incident revealed the nation has multiple high-altitude stratospheric balloon bases in areas such as Hinan Island (suspected location of latest release) located to the south of the Guangdong province & Dorbod Banner located near the northern border with Mongolia which were spotted via satellite. Who knows how many more they may have in addition to balloon launching ships.
Hinan China Balloon Launch Site - Photo Credit: Middlebury Institute
Elements of an Excellent Civil Defense Plan -
An excellent civil defense plan should include the following key elements:
Risk assessment: It should start with a thorough assessment of the risks that are likely to occur in your local area, such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, pandemics, and other emergencies. Know your surroundings. Are you near major military bases, nuclear missile silos, major cities? Are you in hurricane, earthquake, or tornado prone zones? Learn how to prepare for these risks & acquire the necessary materials in advance so you don’t have to fight others for limited stock later.
Emergency response procedures: The plan should provide clear and concise emergency response procedures that are tailored to the specific risks and needs of your family. Designate a mentally & physically strong family member to be the lead in emergency response situations. Know which of your family members have valuable skills such as medical training, outdoor survival, homesteading, & hunting & delegate primary responsibilities to them with your assistance.
Communication: Effective communication is critical during an emergency. The plan should identify communication channels and protocols that will be used to disseminate information to the other members of your family, emergency responders, and other community members. Have an off-grid communication set-up like a set of UV-5R Two Way Long Range Ham Radios
Evacuation and shelter-in-place protocols: The plan should include evacuation and shelter-in-place protocols that are specific to the risks that are likely to occur. The plan should also identify evacuation routes and shelter locations. One should keep in mind shelters are either barren of supplies or undersupplied with food, water, blankets, & toiletries for the number of people they expect to serve. Plan for bug-in & bug-out scenarios.
Resource management: The plan should identify the resources that will be needed during an emergency, such as medical supplies, food, water, and fuel based on your family size & special needs. The plan should also identify how these resources will be distributed and managed. Consider pre-purchasing Antibiotics for you & your family in advance as pharmacies/doctors may be hard to come by in times of emergency. Not to mention, the majority of medications come from China & if the USA sanctions China, availability of prescription medication will be extremely limited.
Training and drills: Regular training and drills are essential to ensure that all family members understand their roles and responsibilities during an emergency. Discuss the defense plan with your family members on a regular basis using practice scenarios for different types of emergency situations.
Recovery and restoration: The plan should include procedures for recovery and restoration after an emergency, such as damage assessment, debris removal, and restoration of critical infrastructure. In addition, advance preparation of photographing/scanning important documents, uploading them onto a Flash Drive, & putting it in your bug-out bag will allow you to escape quickly.
Continuous improvement: A civil defense plan should be a living document that is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that it remains relevant and effective. The plan should include processes for continuous improvement based on lessons learned from actual emergencies and exercises.
Photo Credit: Dane Penland
Where is Your Nuclear Fallout Shelter?
This is reassuring:
During the Cold War, the United States government built a network of public and private fallout shelters across the country to protect the civilian population in the event of a nuclear attack. While many of these shelters have since been decommissioned or repurposed, some may still exist in various locations.
The exact locations of these shelters are not publicly available, as they were often designed to be secret and were not marked on maps. However, some possible locations where fallout shelters may have been built include:
Basements of public buildings such as schools, hospitals, and government offices.
Private homes with reinforced basements or underground bunkers.
Abandoned mines or other underground spaces.
Tunnels and subways.
It is important to note that many of these locations may no longer be designated as fallout shelters, and even those that are may not be fully equipped or stocked with supplies.
This is why many have taken it upon themselves to build their own Nuclear Fallout Shelter or Bunker.
"The government is continuing to invest billions a year into these bunkers, and the private market is mirroring that. The days of the backyard bunker are morphing into something that's quite a bit more serious in nature," he said.
"People are now spending sometimes tens of millions of dollars in building these incredible installations that rival what the government can build in many ways. It's another strong indicator of the inequality that we're all so aware of now. We've also seen people buying old Cold War infrastructure that was rendered obsolete and turning it into bunkers," he said.
One example of this is the $20 million Survival Condo, a luxury, 15-story underground bunker in Kansas housed in a converted Atlas ICBM missile silo that offers the superrich a supposedly safe space to ride out the apocalypse.
The number of private bunkers in the United States is hard to quantify because no data is being collected. But given the scale of the industry that manufactures these shelters and taking into account Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) data on disaster preparedness, Garrett said it is "safe to say" that millions of private bunkers are in the country. Source: Newsweek
USGAO 1961
Nuclear Fallout Shelters aren’t Just for the Rich
Building an above-ground nuclear fallout shelter can be a challenging and potentially expensive task, but it can provide a safe haven in the event of a nuclear attack or other catastrophic event. Here are some steps to consider:
Determine the Size and Location: The size of your shelter will depend on the number of people you want to accommodate and how long you plan to stay inside. The location should be a safe distance from potential targets and should be easily accessible for you and your family. As I have mentioned in my previous Nuclear War Survival Kit article, radioactive fallout particles may take up to four weeks for their radiation to dissipate.
Choose the Right Materials: The materials you choose should be able to provide adequate protection from radiation, blast waves, and debris. Concrete and steel are commonly used, but other materials like lead, plastic, & pure earth can also be effective.
Build the Structure: The shelter can be constructed using pre-fabricated sections or built from scratch. If you plan on building a more permanent shelter, make sure you follow proper permitting channels. If WWIII breaks out on American soil however, I wouldn’t be too concerned with permits.
Ventilation: Proper ventilation is crucial for a shelter, as it will help remove dangerous gases and maintain a healthy air supply. You may need to install air filters or ventilation systems. The Nuclear War Survival Skills Handbook describes how to construct your own ventilation pumps.
Stock up on Supplies: the shelter should have enough food, water, and medical supplies lasting from several days to four weeks. Make sure you use appropriate calculators for supplies based on your family size. You should also consider including a communication system, such as a radio, to stay informed about the situation outside.
Test the Shelter: Once the shelter is complete, test it thoroughly to ensure that it can withstand potential threats and provide adequate protection for you and your family. If your family is unable to stay in the shelter for 24 hours, you may need to make adjustments so you can tough it out for weeks.
You can find exact specifications & different kinds of low-cost expedient fallout shelters you can build yourself in this amazing Nuclear War Survival Skills Handbook which comes in hardcopy & paperback versions. I personally purchased the hardcover book. There is a free PDF of the book as well but I wouldn’t want to rely on electronics/electronic access in emergency situations.
Given the United States has let’s say…delegated the country’s civil defense planning to its citizens, my fellow Warriors must be aware of the options available to defend themselves & their families for what may come in the near future. It is way better to be prepared & not have to use your supplies or shelter than to be caught unprepared & in the panic along with everyone else. If more Warriors could be convinced to prepare in advance of chaos, the more resilient we could be as a nation. Until next time, stay informed, stay vigilant, Ever Forward!