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

[Njricky2_@_aol.com]

In a message dated 10/11/06 9:59:49 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
Pat_McKnight_@_nps.gov writes:
 
Pat,
 
Thanks for posting this. Yes, in light of the "nut with the nuke" in North  
Korea this is indeed timely and also as Paul mentioned, points out the level of 
 ignorance from 55 years ago. Even the "duck and cover", i.e., crawl under a  
desk, is mentioned.
 
Great stuff.
 
Rick

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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