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

[cbschneider_@_att.net]

Lots of blast protection on the Lackawanna with all that reinforced concrete everywhere.  

- -------------- Original message from 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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