Chemical accidents. I work as a volunteer on our county’s emergency management committee, and the #1 thing we prep for is something I don’t hear anybody in the prepping community talking about… probably because it’s not sexy, doesn’t require guns or long-term storage and other fun and interesting stuff…
Our number one worry here in North Missouri, even in this small rural county, is a chemical disaster.
Chemical accidents waiting to happen
We have a main line of a national railroad (think BNSF, CSX, Canadian National, Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific) that has trains hauling God-only-knows what-all in them. We have two highways that have trucks hauling God-only-knows what-all in them, plus we have chemical plants & fertilizer plants and ammonia storage facilities, etc. Chemical accidents to be – riding the rails at 80MPH.
It’s not a matter of “if” there is a toxic spill, it’s a matter of WHEN. We’ve actually had one in the last 25 years that caused evacuation of an entire town for a couple of days…
How to be ready for chemical accidents?
The key to being prepped is to have proper respiratory and chemical protection that you can use during a bug-out… this isn’t a long-term threat, it’s one of those where people who would normally be bug-in people will want to bug-out for a couple of days (which is why even bug-inners need a bug-out bag). If you are downwind of a chemical fire, that can be a very bad thing.
Let me be clear, it’s probably overkill to carry a resparator with you wherever you go unless you work in a place (like, say, a chemical plant or train yard) where spills are just a matter of time. Instead, be ready to bug out of the area at a moment’s notice. Have your bug out plan in place, including meet up locations, alternate contact information, and supplies to meet your immediate need (water, food, etc.).
SO… what’s going to happen?
Well, it depends on many factors, but you can pretty well count on the following by the government during chemical accidents:
Someone will call 911.
The local first responders will arrive at the scene and determine there is a chemical risk, and the first thing they will do is order an mandatory evacuation of the area. This will virtually always be AT LEAST a mile radius, often more.
They will set up a local command post, and try to assess if it is safe to try to assist survivors and evacuees. First responders are trained for THEIR safety first so as to not create more victims than there already are, but frankly many of these folks are aggressive and they tend to “push the limits” in an effort to help people who may be trapped or injured.
Firm rule
It’s a firm rule that people NEVER exceed their training on anything, and a chemical accidents / hazardous materials spill is one where it is critical that people follow this rule.
I could continue and talk about all of the things that will happen… how each state will send in it’s emergency response control team, how local emergency response plans will go into action, etc… but really what preppers need to know is this.
If there is a chemical accidents / hazardous materials spill nearby, it’s time to bug out. Even if you are a “bug-in” oriented person, leave. These are local, short term events, and you will be back home soon.