Zero Hour: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Fiction Series (The Blackout Series Book 2)

by Bobby Akart

  APPENDIX A THE COMMISSION AND ITS METHOD

  The Commission used a capability-based methodology to estimate potential EMP threats over the next 15 years.1 The objective was to identify the range of plausible adversary EMP attack capabilities that cannot be excluded by prudent decision makers responsible for national and homeland security.

  Bases for this assessment included current intelligence estimates of present and near-term military capabilities; current and past engineering accomplishments (what are adversaries likely to be capable of achieving, given accomplishments in other programs at comparable stages of development?); and trends impacting adversary military capabilities through 2018. In line with its capabilities-based approach, the Commission did not attempt to establish the relative likelihood of EMP strikes versus other forms of attack.

  Intelligence community organizations and the National Nuclear Security Administration’s nuclear weapon laboratories (Lawrence Livermore, Los Alamos, and Sandia) provided excellent technical support to the Commission’s analyses.2 The Institute for Defense Analyses hosted and developed technical analyses for the Commission. While it benefited from these inputs, the Commission developed an independent assessment. Views expressed in this report are solely attributable to the Commission.

  The Russian Federation (RF) has a sophisticated understanding of EMP that derives in part from the test era when the Soviet Union did high-altitude atmospheric tests over its own territory, impacting civilian infrastructures. To benefit from Russian expertise, the Commission:

  · Sponsored research projects at Russian scientific institutions.

  · Hosted a September 2003 US/RF symposium on EMP at which presentations were given by Russian general officers.

  · Sponsored a December 2003 technical seminar on EMP attended by scientists from the Russian Federation and the United States.

  The Commission also reviewed additional relevant foreign research and programs and assessed foreign perspectives on EMP attacks.

  In considering EMP, the Commission also gave attention to the coincident nuclear effects that would result from a detonation that produces EMP, e.g., possible disruption of the operations of, or damage to, satellites in space.

  Different types of nuclear weapons produce different EMP effects. The Commission limited its attention to the most strategically significant cases in which detonation of one or few nuclear warheads could result in widespread, potentially long-duration disruption or damage that places at risk the functioning of American society or the effectiveness of US military forces.

  In addition to examining potential threats, the Commission was charged to assess US vulnerabilities (civilian and military) to EMP and to recommend measures to counter EMP threats. For these purposes, the Commission reviewed research and best practices within the United States and other countries. Early in this review it became apparent that only limited EMP vulnerability testing had been accomplished for modern electronic systems and components. To partially remedy this deficit, the Commission sponsored illustrative testing; results are presented in the full text of the Commission’s report.

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  APPENDIX D

  PREPPER’S CHECKLIST

  From www.FreedomPreppers.com

  PREPPERS CHECKLIST

  Preppers who are not adequately prepared place added risks on the people who rely upon them. A well-organized Prepper Checklist with assigned responsibilities will maximize your odds of survival. Your Prepper Checklist is a list of functions, or capabilities that you need to provide for in each of the survival categories. A comprehensive prepper checklist acts as both a shopping list of items that you need to get or put into a kit and a to-do list. This Prepper Checklist accomplishes both.

  A Preppers Checklist is always evolving. Your Preparedness Plan will change as your knowledge and skills advance. This Preppers Checklist allows for the individual needs of each Prepper while still accomplishing common goals.

  The list is broken up into general categories to help keep things organized. You can learn more on FreedomPreppers.com

  Prepper Basics are the minimum requirements of preparedness that you should strive to accomplish as fast as possible. They are the basic levels of preparedness that a new prepper starting out should achieve as soon as possible. Advanced Preppers levels allow for surviving longer durations and/or increases the capacity of your prepper group.

  Remember the Prepper Rule of Threes and buy backups to everything!

  Three is two, two is one, one is none.

  Off Grid Energy Options

  • Ability to recharge NiMH or NiCd batteries from an indefinite power source , in the sizes you use (AAA, AA, C, D, 9V)

  • Minimum 4,000 Watt Generator, preferably tri-fuel (gas, propane, natural gas or solar)

  • Fuel storage to power generator for four hours per day, ninety days total

  • Put Uninterruptible Power Supplies on all computers and other sensitive critical electronic equipment in a Faraday Cage

  • Spare extension cords

  • Battery maintenance items

  • Solar-power, or other renewable/long-term power, setup capable of running all mission critical devices for indefinite period, working eventually to powering entire household

  • Deep Cycle Batteries

  • 1000 Watt Inverter

  • Stored Gasoline

  • Sta-Bil for stored Gasoline

  • Stored Diesel

  • Spare parts for Alternate Energy generations, (fuses, wire, connectors, inverter parts, etc.)

  • Candles

  • Propane Lanterns

  • Oil Lamps

  • Headlamps for everyone

  Clothing

  • Three complete changes of rugged clothes for all members

  • Three complete changes of sleep clothes for all members

  • Seven changes of underclothes for each member

  • One pair of rugged, waterproof boots for each member

  • Socks – Socks - Socks

  • One pair of comfortable shoes (sneakers, sandals, etc.) for each member

  • Outer gear (boots, gloves, mittens, scarves, hats, etc) for all climates (cold weather, rain, etc.)

  • Spare shoe & boot laces

  • Fourteen changes of underclothes for each member

  • Spare boots (rugged and waterproof)

  • Spare comfort shoes

  • Ability to make/repair clothes

  • Ability to make/repair boots and shoes

  • Quantity of various materials for repairs and creation of clothing

  • Second (spare) set of outer gear for all climates

  Communications

  • World Band Radio

  • Hand Crank Weather Band, AM/FM Radio

  • Base Station Short Wave Radio

  • Ham Radio, Bao-Feng or equivalent

  • CB Radio

  • Two-Radios

  • Bullhorns

  • Tactical Communications (0 – 5 miles), generally a hand-held radio unit (FRS, GMRS, Ham, CB, etc.), to transmit and receive, with extra batteries (see also alternate energy)

  • Shortwave radio with SSB capability, for general listening of world events

  • Basic computer to access the Internet and review files (.doc. .pdf. .html. etc.) {it should be obvious that an Internet connection goes along with this}

  • AM/FM radio, battery operated (TV sound optional, but might be worthwhile if you are close to a TV broadcast tower that can run on emergency power)

  • Plans and equipment for making expedient antennas (see Information and Plans)

  • Radio and computer manuals and backup discs (see Information and Plans)

  If you have a cell phone, have a 12VDC charging cord for it, and a spare battery for it

  • Pocket list of contact numbers for family, friends, team members (see also Information and Plans)

  • Long distance phone calling card that doesn’t expire

&nbs
p; • Pocket list of frequencies (see also Information and Plans)

  • USB drive containing pocket computer system (OS, files, programs, PGP, etc.)

  • USB drive containing your data files

  • Door Intercom for communicating with people outside your door, while staying safe inside

  • Short-distance Communications (up to 50 miles) (generally, a mobile ham VHF/UHF radio and a vehicle or yagi antenna), transmit and receive

  • Pocket radio for short-distance digital communications (can be particularly useful for local Groups/Teams/Family Units)

  • Long-distance communications (greater than 50 miles), generally ham HF, transmit and receive

  • Ham Radio Email, like Wavemail or Winlink/Netlink over HF and possibly VHF (Packet)

  • Satellite phone

  • Always store your electronics in Faraday Cages when not in use.

  • Defense (Safety and Security)

  • Each member of the household should have the following weapons:

  • Full size handgun and a concealed carry weapon (same caiber)

  • Shotgun

  • Hunting rifle (for sniping and hunting)

  • Battle rifle (AR15, AR10, or AK47)

  • .22 Caliber rifle and handgun for training

  • A “throwaway weapon” that your willing to give up in the event of gun confiscation. It’s better to give up a “throwaway” to divert attention from your real weapons cache.

  • One thousand rounds per weapon.

  • Every handgun has a holster, every rifle and shotgun has a sling; cases for all firearms

  • Several magazines for every firearm that uses one

  • Cleaning gear for all firearms

  • Spare parts for every firearm, and detailed manuals

  • Reloading equipment and supplies for each of your main calibers

  • Security system that monitors home inside perimeter

  • Knives

  • Machete

  • Compound Bow

  • Extra Arrows

  • Slingshot

  • Snare Wire

  • Monitoring system so that you know when someone has breached key areas of your property

  • Outside floodlights on motion sensors covering the outside perimeter of home and any other key areas on property

  • Put out small fires (a fire extinguisher for kitchen, garage and every level of the home)

  • Smoke & carbon monoxide detectors on all floors

  • Camera surveillance around home, complete 360 degrees

  • Motion and seismic sensors monitoring perimeter and other key areas of property

  • External fire suppression system

  • Add laminate to exterior windows (resists break-ins, etc.)

  • Hardened Safe room, from physical assaults (weather, crime, etc.)

  • Night Vision (mono- or binocular)

  • You can’t have too many fire extinguishers. You need to be able to put out a fire quickly, especially if there is no fire department available.

  Financial Preparedness

  • Cash on hand

  • Supply of hard currency (silver, gold, etc.)

  • Supply of barter goods (We suggest heirloom seeds)

  • Ability to capitalize on opportunities (like, group buys or cheap land after a crisis/pandemic)

  • Know the silver content of junk silver and the gold content of various coins and how to convert that into current market value

  • Know how to calculate and determine specific gravity for various metals (how to spot fake silver and gold)

  • Use gold to store larger amounts of wealth and silver for smaller amounts. Silver is also better in a barter environment.

  Cooking Off The Grid

  • Gas Grill

  • Camp Stove

  • Rocket Stove

  • Solar Dehydrator

  • Meat Grinder

  • Grain Grinder

  • Non-electric Can Opener

  • Fire Pit

  • Solar Oven

  • Spare Propane

  • Matches and Lighters

  • Butane Stove

  • Cast Iron Cookware

  • Food Storage

  • Stored food for as long as you plan on living

  • Wheat

  • Rice

  • Pasta

  • Beans

  • Oatmeal

  • Dry Milk

  • Honey

  • Sugar

  • Vinegar

  • Lemon Juice

  • Cooking Oil

  • Coffee/Tea

  • Canned Goods

  • Spices

  • Condiments

  • Water Enhancers

  • Baking Essentials (Yeast, Salt, etc.)

  • Sprouting Seeds

  • Non-hybrid, Heirloom Garden Seeds

  • Portable capability for minimum-prepared foods for 14 days (for traveling, short-term missions, etc.)

  • Gather more food: hunt, fish, trap/snare, gather wild plants

  • Dress and prepare gathered food

  • Keep perishable food cold using alternative energy methods for 30 days (see Alternative Energy)

  • Disposable flatware for 30 days

  • Open cans and other packaging

  • Cook food 3 times a day with alternate methods for 30 days (minimum, work up to 90 days)

  • Have cookware that can be used over an open fire (pots, pans, kettles, etc.)

  • Durable cooking utensils (including pots, pans, etc.)

  • Equipment to cook over fire pit (grates, tripods, hooks, etc.)

  • Recipes for making a variety of dishes from the food you store

  • Spices to make food more palatable, enjoyable, varied

  • One year’s worth of food, in any combination of every day, minimum-prepared, and long-term storage foods, with the experience and equipment to prepare it

  • Portable capability for minimum-prepared foods for 30 days or more (for traveling)

  • Grow food and harvest the seeds for the next planting

  • Grow and tend livestock

  • Preserve food on indefinite basis (canning, smoking, jerking, etc)

  • Keep perishable food cold using alternative energy methods

  • Minimum-prepared foods are those that require little or no cooking before eating.

  • Disposable Flatware—plates, bowls, cups, spoons, forks, knives, napkins, etc. The idea of disposable flatware is to reduce consumption of water and is typically for shorter-term events.

  • Cooking Oils

  Preparedness Plan

  • Acquire the proper insurance (home, renter, auto, health, life etc.) and safeguard the insurance plan and contact information

  • Document with pictures and/or video all possessions for insurance purposes, including writing down the serial numbers for guns and electronics.

  • Post in a quick-access location the numbers for all emergency services (police, fire, ambulance, poison control, utility services), and include non-emergency numbers for the same services as well as family, friends, neighbors, etc.

  • Post a list of important websites next to (or along with) the important phone numbers.

  • Copies of personal information like birth certificates, SS cards, driver licenses, with current pictures, kept in fire safe.