The 'fallout shelter' was a sort of fire and forget deal, unfortunately, but then it was a government feelgood program, too, at least for most of the civillian population.
You're geographicly close to me, so I can tell you that over the next couple of years I plan on upgrading and restocking the *tornado cellar* established by my granddad circa 1925 on his Homestead Act tract. It's got nowhere near enough room for 80, nor supplies thereof, but it's a start and has other advantages.
As for Civil Defense, we, the people, could make something real out of it--Neighborhood Watch is getting closer to the mark. (If the neighbors do not call us in for having an "armed compound" (8^D).
Note that in Montana the highway patrol cops still wear a patch with the 3-7-77 mark of the Montana Vigilantes, who among other things dealt with castle rustlers and crooked sheriffs.
I worked construction a couple of the years the oil patch was slow, and my size and talent for breaking things meant I was the one who got the jackhammer, etc. One building we remodeled (over 20 years ago) still had the 'fallout shelter' signs on the exterior walls. We took them down as the remodel rendered the building unsuitable for a shelter.
The supplies had been raided long before-- there were no foodstuffs, none of the surviving medical supplies were useable, the pharmaceuticals were long gone, including the 500 tablets of phenobarbital.
All that really survived were a couple of sanitation kits, and the toilet paper in them was single ply which showed small bits of wood in it. Imagine having the radiation induced runs, and having to use that stuff. Nope. It looked good in print, and it kept people feeling safe.
As long as they feel safe, they won't do squat on their own.
The FEMA plan was to use household interior doors and dirt to reinforce basements, which was not much help for New Orleans residents.
A lot of the old CD radiation detectors are on the market, and one might be a good item to pick up as long as it runs on current batteries. Otherwise, in the event of a radiological event, you are depending solely on the authorities for information.
The good ones are under $100 and use D-batteries; look for a CDV-720 or CDV-717. If you need a course on operation, FReepmail me; I used to do that for a living, and we'll be doing some of that in Wyoming.
There's a good overview *here* that explains the difference between the ionization chamber survey meters and a true Geiger counter [CDV-700] that measures gamma radiation and detects beta.
There are limits to what individuals can do, but being armed is generally within those limits. A gun, a knife, and a wide variety of other ordinary items can suffice, as long as the 'no victim' mindset is present. It is seldom you are anywhere there are not things handy which can be used as a weapon as well.
Exactly. But also remember that being routinely armed inspires others to *fit in* and follow the example. Remember the bumper sticker: Not armed?- Shame on you!