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ARE YOU TRAINING FOR THE RIGHT EVENT?
Bob Hejl - W2IK
First responder at WTC 9/11 "Ground Zero" Ex-OES, Ex-AEC, Hurricane Bob, Iniki, Andrew, LI Wildfires, "Storm Of The Century", New England Ice Storms, Flight 800 and other emergency events all rights reserved. Contents may NOT be copied or used in any form or part thereof without written permission. email:W2IK
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Defining What Is And What Isn't:
There is some confusion within the ranks of the amateur radio emergency communications community (and local governments for that matter) when talking about or training for what many call "Weapons Of Mass Destruction". Usually when we and most of the public hear that term we think of terrible explosions with mushroom clouds and thousands of people dying with hideous radiation burns all the while laying waste to immense areas of the country. Well, in some respects, this is correct in definition. However, it is unfortunate that we've also lumped into that term so many other things that have no business being defined as WMD. At the same time, we've also lumped together the possibility of any such events taking place.
The new buzz in emergency communications training is the term "Dirty Bomb". This term was originally used years ago to describe a tactical nuclear weapon, designed in the 1970s as a Neutron Bomb, which would yield a low-level nuclear explosion but emit a tremendous amount of deadly, short-life radiation so as to kill troops while leaving most of the buildings and infrastructure intact for later use. However, now this term is currently being used to describe a completely different type of device when used in conjunction with terrorism. The error is that this term is now thrown around all too freely while still being listed in training materials and in the minds of many as a WMD. It is not. It is not even a nuclear device. It is a terrorist device. It's disruption is limited in area and not massive. Let's look at the facts. What is a Dirty Bomb by today's definition? Taking a quote defining the term from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC):
"Basically, the principle type of a dirty bomb, or Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD), combines a conventional explosive, such as dynamite, with radioactive material."
This in no way reflects what an atomic bomb is, as there's no splitting of atoms and no tremendous release of energy beyond the conventional blast created by the dynamite. What it proposes to do, however, is to use the conventional explosive to spread whatever radioactive material is placed with it thereby poisoning the air and surfaces within a very limited area. Now, let's define what, how and how much radioactive material is needed to create said Dirty Bomb. Radioactive materials are widely used at hospitals, research labs, and construction sites all throughout this country. Radioactive materials are used for such purposes as in treating illnesses, sterilizing equipment, and inspecting welding seams in new construction. The vast majority of materials located at these sources are not useful for constructing an RDD. Even if such material were obtained, such as stolen byproducts of a nuclear power plant, it would not cause the harm to the general public as perceived by many as there is very little chance that enough quantity and quality of material could be collected to make even one viable bomb in the true sense of the word. The federal government also has radiation detection equipment located all over the country, with a concentrated number in our nation's ports, that would detect any large amount AND they are able to trace almost any material back to it's source.
A more realistic threat is the fear and panic induced from the announcement of ANY radioactive material being released. Even if it be less than that used in a single cancer treatment. Any detection equipment brought on-site might measure the release of this minimal amount. It would then be reported and amplified by the press so as to terrify the public and have people cowering in their basements. The FACT is that if a Dirty Bomb is ever detonated, the explosion from the dynamite would cause more physical damage and cause more harm to people in close proximity than any radioactive danger they might be exposed to. There would be no need to evacuate neighborhoods nor open dozens of shelters.
This makes the Dirty Bomb not a weapon of mass destruction, but a weapon of mass terror basically based on fear and misreporting by the media. Training for such an event, if defined as a WMD, is wrong and a waste of valuable training time. It also instills a sense of uneasiness. Again, even the NRC admits that if such a bomb were exploded, the resulting damage from the blast is much greater than the possibility of radioactive contamination. They also go on to say that if anyone feels they have been exposed to these contaminants, the most agreed solution would be to get out of the area as quickly as possible, while covering your face with a cloth to keep from breathing in any dust, and simply remove any clothing which might have the radioactive dust on it. Place this clothing in a plastic garbage bag to prevent dust migration and seal it. You should then shower with warm, soapy water. Again, the fear of a Dirty Bomb and the possible hysteria far outweigh the actual radiation threat. In any emergency communications training, it should be briefly covered and not dwelled upon. There is no need for a yearly drill to cover this event. So, as you can see, as a weapon of mass (death and) destruction a Dirty Bomb falls far short. A better use for the dynamite to a terrorist would be to blow up a bridge during rush hour or pack a large amount into a van in the hopes of destroying a building. This type of action we've seen before, and will see again, as it is a cost effective method to cause terror and damage. It is doubtful if we'll see any string of Dirty Bombs around this country because even the terrorists know they are limited in what damage they actually do and will cause fear only to the uneducated or as fodder for the media.
THE REAL WEAPON OF MASS TERROR
FEAR is the most damaging Weapon Of Mass Terror whether it be caused by a bomb or bioweapon. During the World Trade Center Disaster, the destruction of the Twin Towers was a "limited event", limited in area of physical property damage and loss of life. The fear, however, and the disruption countrywide was very damning and touched us all. This event created fears on a national level and this fear created serious problems for phone services all over the country with many systems quickly becoming overloaded. Many people in our country felt cutoff and helpless. (Being at "Ground Zero", I was unaware of the country wide panic and communications log jam until I returned home.) With this feeling of helplessness, people's fears only intensified. As an example, on that day, and for several days after, if you lived in a city such as Chicago, it was next to impossible to talk to a neighbor just down the street let alone across the country to check on loved ones. Cell phones were soon useless as their demand far exceeded their very limited site capacity. Can you imagine if you had a house fire and needed to call for help? Even many 911 systems were jammed. With even the most simple and stable forms of communication ever invented grinding to a halt, how were messages passed within the country?
One such way was via amateur radio. There were many messages passed regarding health and welfare. Two thousand miles from "harm's way" there were hams at work helping to stabilize the fears of the country by passing communications. So, if you think that a limited terrorist event several thousand miles away doesn't effect your area, you are wrong. This is the type of communications emergency we need to train more for. Do you know how comforting it must be in the midst of a terrorist event to receive news that your aunt or friend is OK? We need to be in the forefront of this support. Those of you who cling to the idea that NTS is the only way to do this are shortsighted and stuck in yesterday. Standard text, which resembles a letter, is much faster than passing preambles, etc. To make it easier, we also need to develop key locations, such as Red Cross and Salvation Army chapters, in every city and town where hams can set up stations and people can go to send a message via amateur radio and get answers. We need to train for this. Not only in sending our signals out, but also to work on ways to handle thousands of messages and diseminate the replies. In a disaster, "If you can't call, let hams take the ball" should be the new phrase. Providing this type of service will also go a long way in the alleviation of stress. The media and local governments need to be informed that this service is available, how it works and support it.
HOW TO LEND A HAND
With this concept in mind, there needs to be formed and developed a national amateur radio emergency communications network to cope with such a disaster. This needs to be above and beyond any one group, yet combining all the EMCOMM groups such as ARES, REACT, RACES, SATERN, etc. Everyone needs to be on the same page and work as one united team during such a communications emergency. All petty differences should be swept aside. Different "patches" should be able to work side by side for the benefit of the public. As a country, we fear less when we can stick together and communicate. Amateur radio can help. Not by only sending requests for supplies to support the disaster but by also sending information that someone's daughter, away at school, is OK.
All EMCOMM groups need to shake hands and learn to train together. Not just a paper agreement or lip service, but in reality. Develop techniques that define TODAY and not yesterday. I offer this as a challenge to all hams and all groups to work this out and develop a NEW, real, viable, emergency communications network. Train. Communicate. Drill. As one. It's time to get this done and not worry as much about dirty bombs.
If you wish to get into the 21st Century of Emergency Communications, read this website series:
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