(erielack) AN EDUCATION PAMPHLET FOR LACKAWANNA EMPLOYEES ON THE ATOMIC BOMB

[Pat_McKnight_@_nps.gov]

I thought the following document might be interesting for the list:



                           AN EDUCATION PAMPHLET
                                    FOR
                           LACKAWANNA EMPLOYEES
                                    ON
                              THE ATOMIC BOMB

                                                          December 15, 1950
To all Lackawanna Employees-
      Because there is a possibility of some part of the area served by
your railroad being involved in an atomic bomb attack if our country is
forced into active war, we feel that furnishing you in this form such basic
information as is now available will serve to help all of us to know what
to do and not do.
      Nothing in this pamphlet is intended to scare you. To the contrary, a
careful reading of the data which follows will reassure you that certain
things can be done and that an atomic bomb explosion does not mean complete
destruction.
      Like most other problems, knowledge and understanding permit us as
responsible people to avoid panic and use good common sense what ever the
severity of an emergency. It will be obvious to you that under
circumstances of bombing; tremendous tasks of evacuation, redistribution,
food supply and shelter--all superimposed upon a continuing war effort.
      We will meet such a challenge if it comes.
                                                (illegible signature)
                                                     Vice President






                          IF AN ATOMIC BOMB DROPS
      Because civil defense agencies on a countrywide basis are studying
what can be done to minimize the disaster of an atomic bomb explosion, and
because such an explosion in a metropolitan area might well involve
Lackawanna facilities and personnel, the following is information and
recommended practice as released by the Atomic Energy Commission:
Three Fundamental Facts Are--
     1. You see the bomb flash before you hear the explosion.
     2. Major atomic bomb casualties result from fire and flash burns.
     3. Radiation from the bomb is likely to produce more panic than
casualties.
                             IMMEDIATE ACTION
      Many lives can be saved in the short interval between the time when
the bomb explsion is seen and when the bomb explosion is seen and when, a
split second later, it is heard, Concerning the split second, these are
immediate protective measures that should be taken.
                               IF OUT DOORS
      Do not look in the direction of the explosion, which will be
indicated first by a sudden increase of the general illumination.
      If you can reach shelter behind a tree, around a corner, in a
doorway, in a step or two, do so immediately. Turn away from the light and
crouch.
      If in the open or if shelter is more than a few steps away, drop to
the ground instantly. A second, not a minute, means the difference between
life and death.. Curly up and attempt to shade bare arms, hands, neck and
face with your clothed body. This will not protect against initial nuclear
radiation, but may help in reducing flash burn.
      Holy your curled-up position for at least ten seconds. The immediate
danger is then over.
                 IF IN A BUILDING, OR HOME, OR ON A TRAIN:
      Drop to the floor immediately with your back to the windows or open
doorways.
Crawl underneath a desk, table, counter, seat, etc. Such action will shield
you against splintered glass due to the blast wave. It may protect you
against flash burn but not against deadly radiation if within the lethal
range.
      Avoid windows or doorways for at least one minute after the
explosion, since the shock wave and resultant blast effects (falling
debris, air shock, splintered glass, etc.) continue for some time after the
explosion.
      The safest places inside a building are the interior portions. Keep
as close to these as possible.
      Engineers will apply emergency brakes before protecting themselves
for all train movements.
      If there is in air raid alarm, trains should be stopped at the
nearest station, so that passengers can go to the nearest available
shelter. If no shelter is available and passengers remain on cars, all
window shades should be immediately pulled and passengers instructed to lie
on the floor, covering themselves as completely as possible.
                                  GENERAL
      Keeping everyone from looking toward the flash in one of the most
effective immediate protective measures. Temporary blindness, which usually
lasts for thirty minutes, may occur if you look directly at the explosion.
But checking that natural reaction is probably one of our most difficult
problems.
      Flash burns result in the instant the bomb explodes. The only
protection against these are the immediate steps already mentioned above.
      The radiation effect of an atomic blast has received the most
notoriety. This effect has had undue publicity. It has created widespread
fear which could be the cause of mass hysteria at time of an atomic
explosion.
      In terms of immediate radiation, protection may be gained in taking
shelter immediately behind some structure or a pile of dirt within the
second of seeing the atomic flash. Since the deadly range (approximately
4,200 feet) is greater than the half-mile distance in which total
destruction from the blast takes place, this action may save lives.
      Residual radiation, though not an immediate problem, may develop
after the explosion. It occurs after the blast effect, flash burns, and
initial nuclear radiation have taken their toll. Residual radiation is
dangerous only if personnel are exposed to its effects over a period of
time or if the radioactive particles should enter the body.
      There is one fundamental that must be understood in regard to any
attempt to reduce residual radiation. That fundamental is: when you rid
surfaces, clothing, or objects of radioactive particles it does not destroy
this radioactivity; it only transfers it form one place to another. It is
therefore important that arrangements be made prior to decontamination  for
the disposal of the radioactive wastes. Deep burial in the ground is
safest.
                           AFTER ATOMIC BOMBING
      All personnel of the railroad will be required for immediate and
unlimited duty. Make yourself available at the nearest point of
communication, as transportation and maintenance supervision may need to
draft you for special work in getting trains moving, handling people and
repairing damage. Our responsibility as citizens and as railroad men may
well be beyond anything in our past experience. Here is a check list of
important items:
      First, obey authorities. Remain calm. Any panic or hysteria will add
to possible confusion.
      Second, remember that fire fighters, rescue squads, stretcher
bearers, wrecking crews, and others will be needed to help minimize
casualties and damage.
      Third, remember that an atomic explosion is similar to an ordinary
explosion except for its size and the added radiation effect.
      Fourth, remain under shelter for a few minutes after the blast to
make sure that all flying debris has landed.
      Fifth, try to help any injured people near you. Even if someone has
been exposed to excessive radioactivity, you will not be hurt by helping
him. Radioactivity is not contagious. Administer first aid to the injured
if possible. Put out small fires that may have been started. Be careful of
falling buildings or large fries.
      Sixth, report to the place designated by your supervisor. If no area
has been designated, see if you can help some rescue or fire-fighting
outfit that has been organized.
      Seventh, when the initial rescue work, fire-fighting, and evacuation
of the wounded is completed, it is wise to take a shower, completely
scrubbing with soap three or four times to remove any radioactive materials
which may have been deposited on you. Hair, hands, and fingernails should
be given special attention. If possible, change to clean clothes and shoes.
Discard the clothes you were wearing while in the affected area,
particularly shoes.
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
      As further information there is available for each employee a copy of
the New York State Civil Defense Commission Public Pamphlet No. 1, entitled
“You and the Atomic Bomb.”
      Study both of these pamphlets. Review them with each member of your
family. Knowledge and a determination to keep cool and collected is our
best weapon.


Office of Vice President
New York, N.Y.
December 15, 1950.

Patrick McKnight
Historian/Archivist
Steamtown NHS
570-340-5193

We need history, not to tell us what happened or to explain the past, but
to make the past alive so that it can explain us and make a future
possible.-Alan Bloom

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