Missile Launchers Positioned in D.C.

WTOP News ^ | 02/10/2003 | WTOP News

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

Missile Launchers Positioned in D.C. Updated: Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2003 - 12:10 PM EST.

Chas Henry, WTOP Radio

WASHINGTON - An increased level of protection for the region means you'll see missile launchers around the District to guard against the possibility of an air attack.

Shortly after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the federal government surveyed the sorts of air defense systems available from a variety of agencies - for use here, or elsewhere in the country. The government then conducted experiments to determine how they could best work in concert with one another.

The missile launchers that can be seen from the South Capitol Street bridge are the result of the government's planning efforts.

The protection measures would include Customs Service aircraft flying high, keeping track of air traffic over the metro area, Air National Guard fighter jets patrolling above and Army radar systems positioned alongside Avenger air defense missile systems mounted on HumVees.

The government put these measures in place during President Bush's January State of the Union message, then pulled them back. They went back into place when officials determined there was an increased likelihood for terrorist attacks and increased the nation's Homeland Security alert status from yellow to orange.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said the latest terrorism alert represented "the most significant" such warning since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

On the five-color alert scale, red is the highest, but no such terrorist warning level has yet been issued.

[Uncle Miltie]

Norm Minetta is confident that blue-haired Grannies are not carrying bombs in their knitting. Twenty three year old Arab Muslims may get a pass, though.

[expatpat]

When there's a forecast of snow, the stores around DC get cleaned out of toilet paper, so the duct-tape thing doesn't mean too much.

[blam]

"Civilization as we know it is held together by a fine mix of Duct Tape and WD-40. "

WD-40 is the most successful single product company ever.

[We Happy Few]

I've never used duct tape to remove snow.

[Humidston]

My brother is visiting in your neck of the woods, Blam. Probably very close from what I've seen on your homepage. They have a house on the beach, between all those high rises, and 500 yds from the Florida border.

Stay safe!

[clintonh8r]

Don't forget the plywood. No, wait....that's for hurricanes.

[doug from upland]

Sorry I didn't make it clear. Doh! They are in the air in D.C. If they were in L.A., about an hour from me, I'd be heading for Vegas. Of course, Vegas is also a big target because it is the center of our decadence.

[Lokibob]

From the county in Utah that has the largest stockpile of nerve gas in the world.

http://des.utah.gov/prepare/disasterprep.html

 

Preparing for Disasters

YOUR FAMILY DISASTER PLAN

Where will your family be when disaster strikes? They could be anywhere --at work -- at school -- or in the car. How will you find each other? Will you know if your children are safe?

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services -- water, gas, electricity or telephones -- were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away.

Families can-and do- cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together as a team. Follow the steps listed here to create your family disaster plan. Knowing what to do is your best protection and your responsibility.

4 STEPS TO SAFETY

Find Out What Could Happen to You

• Contact your local emergency management office and American Red Cross chapter -- be prepared to take notes:
• Ask what types of disasters are most likely to happen. Request information on how to prepare for each.
• Learn about your community warning signals: what they sound like and what you should do when you hear them.
• Ask about animal care after disaster. Animals may not be allowed inside emergency shelters due to health refulations.
• Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons, if needed.
• Next, find out about the disater plans at your workplace, your children=s school or daycare center and other places where your family spends time.

Create a Disaster Plan

Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.

Discuss the types of disaster that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.

Pick two places to meet:

1. Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.

2. Outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number.

Ask an out-of-state friend to be your family contact. After disaster, it is often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact phone number.

Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.

Complete This Checklist

• Post emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.)
• Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services number for emergency help.
• Show each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas and electricity at the main switches.
• Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.
• Teach each family member how to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type), and show them where it is kept.
• Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.

Conduct a Home Hazard Hunt

• Stock emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.
• Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
• Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room.
• Find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster.
• Practice and Maintain Your Plan
• Quiz your kids every six months so they remember what to do.
• Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills.
• Replace stored water every three months and stored food every six months.
• Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer=s instructions.
• Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit with items you may need in an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as back-packs, duffle bags or covered trash containers.  Include:

• A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won=t spoil.
• One change of clothing and foot wear per person, and one blanket or sleeping bag per person.
• A first aid kit that inicludes your family=s prescription medications.
• Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.
• An extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash or traveler=s checks.
• Sanitation supplies.
• Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
• An extra pair of glasses.
• Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep a smaller kit in the trunk of your car.

UTILITIES

Locate the main electric fuse box, water service main and natural gas main. Lesarn how and when to turn these utilities off. Teach all responsible family members. Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves.

Remember, turn off the utilities only if you suspect the lines are damaged or if you are instructed to do so. If you turn the gas off, you will need a professional to turn it back on.

 

NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS

Working with neighbors can save lives and property. Meet with your neighbors to plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster until help arrives. If you are a member of a neighborhood organization, such as a home association or crime watch group, introduce disaster preparedness as a new activitiy. Know your neighbors special skills (e.g., medical, technical) and consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as disabled and elderly persons. Make plans for child care in case parents cannot get home.

 

HOME HAZARD HUNT

During a disaster, ordinary objects in your home can cause injury or damage. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause a fire is a home hazard. For example, a hot water heater or a bookshelf can fall. Inspect your home at least once a year and fix potential hazards.

Contact your local fire department to learn about home fire hazards.

EVACUATION

Listen to your battery-powered radio and follow the instructions of local emergency officials.

Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.

Take your Disaster Supplies Kit.

Lock your home.

Use travel routes specified by local authorities -- do not use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.

If you are sure you have time:

• Shut off water, gas and electricity before leaving, if instructed to do so.
• Post a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
• Make arrangements for your pets.

IF DISASTER STRIKES

• Remain calm and patient, Put your plan into action.
• Check for injuries
• Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.
• Listen to your battery powered radio for news and instructions
• Evacuate, if advised to do so. Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
• Check for damage in your home ...
• Use flashlights -- do not light matches or turn on electrical switches, if you suspect damage.
• Check for fires, fire hazards and other household hazards.
• Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly.
• Shut off any other damaged utilities.
• Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline and other flammable liquids immediately.

Remember to ...

• Confine or secure your pets.
• Call your family contact -- do not us the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergnecy.
• Check on your neighbors, especially elderly or disabled persons.
• Make sure you have an adequate water supply in case service is cut off.
• Stay away from downed power lines.

[jqpublic]

"... we have to get our borders under control."

I can not agree more strongly. I don't understand it.

Unfortunately, I truly don't believe that the Gov't will do anything about the borders until the death toll gets out of hand... The question is - How many more innocent Americans have to die?

I think that the Gov't is making a grave mistake by delaying the rounding up of the illegals... IF something nasty happens, there will be no controlling the actions of the citizenry.

I'm holding my breath that nothing bad happens.

Stay safe FReepers.

J.Q.

[DocJ69]

Has the duct tape be purchased to put on Kenedy's and Daschale's mouths?

[finnman69]

Avenger missile system

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/avenger.htm

[ChuckSnow5]

Gentlemen, We are at SpazCon ONE.

Triple top secret red alert!

[blam]

"They have a house on the beach, between all those high rises, and 500 yds from the Florida border."

Other side of the bay from me at Gulf Shores, nice area too. Are they down for Mardi gras?

[We Happy Few]

Isn't that special. Thanks.

[Flyer]

don't forget to get extra dog food tomorrow too

You think like I do. (Although I think if I put a bowl of mulch down for my dog he would be halfway through it before he paused to think. . . and then he would finish it.)

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Operation Infinite FReep Nation Wide Feb. 15th !!

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[Beck_isright]

LOL, just had to jibe you...God Bless man's four legged friends...they were great company when some of us were on partol in that miserable ******* known as "West Germany" back int he day.

[Humidston]

Nah, just to decompress. My bro absolutely LOVES it down there. A developer wanted to buy their house and put up a high rise but they said NO DICE, LOL!

They're headed back home on Thursday.

[Beck_isright]

Where is the part about rotating your ammo stores and cleaning your "personal protection devices"?????

[Elenya]

On the five-color alert scale, red is the highest, but no such terrorist warning level has yet been issued.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't red be issued after a terrorist attack, or when the war starts?

[Thunder 6]

If the article is correct, they are HMMWV mounted Stinger Missile Lanuchers (with a coaxial mounted M2 HB .50 machine gun...the best part). Orignally designed to kill fast moving Soviet jets, and attack helos. Would work on an aircraft in range as long as there was a heat source and the missle got a good tone/lock. Problem with hitting anything bigger than the proverbial Cessna, is that debris/fuel/ordnance from the aircraft might fall on a population center, and if the A/C is big enough...its momentum may carry it onto/into the area you are trying to protect. Stinger warhead may not be big enough to destroy a 747 for instance...probably only cripple it.