Emergency Measures on the Farm

People respond to the words "Emergency Measures Organization" and "Civil Defence" in various ways.

Some people have responded by attempting to learn and participate in the E.M.O. programs. Others have taken the attitude that we will wait and see. Still others have thrown up their hands and said, "If this happens I don’t want to be here." While it is true, that if an enemy unleashed an all-out attack on the North American continent, thousands and even millions of people could die; it is also true, that many more millions of people will not die, and most of these people will at that time wish to survive. By taking advantage of the many facilities that are now available, these millions of people will be in a much better position to survive. It is in this stage of survival, after an enemy attack, that our farmers must be prepared to carry on in the vital matter of food production.

As the pattern for emergency measures is revealed, the role of each person emerges more clearly. Closely allied with the role that the medical doctors, nurses, sanitarians, and veterinarians must play, is that of the farmer. For this reason, it is necessary for the farmer to become aware of the problems that may face him. By becoming aware of these problems today, and making some plans to protect himself and his livestock, he will be in a much better position to cope with the rather gigantic problem which may have to be faced.

In planning for survival one must assume that all normal functions of our country would cease to exist for the first few weeks following an attack. This, then, might include hydro, normal marketing channels, transportation facilities, and many others. Once can also assume, that the rural areas will become evacuation centres for the larger cities, and destroyed areas. This, then, means that populations within a town, village or county will be several times as large as they would be in normal times. All these extra people must be housed, clothed, fed, given medical attention, and where possible, employed to re-establish some form of normal economy in the country.

One can readily agree that the task which is presented is one which will require a great deal of organization by all who have a responsibility for survival.

For some time now, organization plans have been progressing involving Federal (Civil and Military), Provincial and Municipal Government agencies. Each of these groups have definite responsibilities and functions to carry out. However, the key to the success of the whole program is an awareness and thorough understanding by the individual.

What Happens in a Nuclear Explosion?

To explain the exact phenomena requires the knowledge of a physicist. However, to most people the important thing is that energy is released in a quantity that stretches the wildest imagination. The bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki at the end of World War II (a small bomb by today’s standards) was rated at 20 Kilotons. This bomb released enough energy when suitably harnessed, to raise a ship the size of the Queen Mary to a height of 70 miles.

What Are the Effects of Nuclear Blasts?

There are four direct effects of such a blast. These are:

1. Blast
2. Heat (thermal radiation)
3. Initial Nuclear Radiation
4. Residual Nuclear Radiation

Blast

The greatest blast effect is obtained when a nuclear device is exploded in the air - where the burst is at ground level the destructive force is reduced and the damaged area is less than in an air blast. The damage to structures is the result of two forces. The energy of the blast itself is only part of the destructive power of the blast. The debris itself becomes the other factor in the destructive power of the explosion. The "flying debris" is spoken of as missiles, and in certain tests there have been anywhere from 66 to 207 missiles per square foot, with speeds varying from 60 to 340 feet per second. Needless to say, the secondary damage resulting from flying debris could be severe.

Heat

At the same time as the explosion, there is a tremendous heat. Observers report that the given off several miles form a 20 kiloton bomb is similar to opening a furnace door.

Initial Nuclear Radiation

There are several types of radiation that result from the explosion of a nuclear device, but the initial radiation, known as gamma-rays are the most hazardous immediately after the blast. These rays (like X-rays) can penetrate opaque material (cement, clothing, steel, etc.), but they do not in themselves make anybody or anything a radioactive hazard to other people or animals. If people and animals get enough of this type of radiation, they may get sick or even die. Their range is close to the blast and their danger is short-lived.

These gamma-rays may spread throughout a large area on the dust, debris, or small particles that result from the explosion itself. The gamma radiation then becomes part of the dust or dirt of a nuclear explosion. This, in turn, becomes the "Fallout" of which we have heard so much. This fallout is "dirt" and it may be washed off. It is possible to protect yourself and animals from this hazard.

Residual Nuclear Radiation

This is a long-range problem. Several types of radiation particles make up the hazard known as residual radiation. There will be more time to work on this hazard than the initial radiation hazard.

What About Animals?

All animals are susceptible to radiation hazards. Fortunately, the dosage required to affect our domestic animals is somewhat larger than the dosage required to affect human beings. However, this advantage may be offset by their natural desire to search for food which has been contaminated by radioactivity.

The bulletin "Fallout on the Farm", outlines may be taken to protect animals from fallout. It is recommended that all animals be housed. In most areas, there will probably be enough warning to permit farmers to run up and house their cattle and other livestock. If they cannot be housed, the next best cover is the woodlot or bush that is present on many farms. Hay and grain that is under cover will be much safer than exposed feed. Rations should be reduced to "rough them through" the danger period. Calves should be allowed to suck the cows to reduce the stress on the udder and reduce the time the farmer must spend with the herd.

What About Water Supplies?

Water from deep wells will probably be safe, but the problem of pumping ti may be of major importance. One must assume that the electrical services may be disrupted for a long period of time. Many farmers have experienced this hazard during severe winter and electrical storms. There seems to be no easy and cheap way out of this problem.

Obviously, some form of auxiliary electrical power must be provided. Generators and gasoline motors are available at a price that is within range of most farmers. Many farms are already equipped with the essential electrical services required to maintain a modern farm. There are ways of decontaminating ponds so that they become a safe water supply.

What About the Farmer?

The obvious question is how does the farmer do all these things when he must protect himself and his family from the dangers of radiation? The bulletins "Fallout on the Farm" and "Eleven Steps to Survival" outline the fundamentals of human survival. Early fallout will decay or disappear very quickly. The farmer will have to rely on a battery-operated radio for his communication with the outside world. Facilities for emergency broadcasting are already in existence. The radio will tell you when it is safe to go outside and for how long.

No one knows what the intensity of a nuclear attack may be, but it will probably be possible to venture out to carry on essential chores within a few days. Each day the period of time that you will be able to go out will probably increase; and within a few weeks, some form of normal activities may be resumed.

What About Livestock That Have Been Exposed to Dangerous Amounts of Radiation? The symptoms of radiation sickness take several days to appear. Remember that even the sick animals are not a hazard to any other animal. The symptoms may include, irritability, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and apathy. Affected animals may, of course, become more susceptible to other diseases and these diseases may present a hazard to the rest of the herd.

Sick animals should not be destroyed until the permission of the Civil Defence authorities is obtained. Mild cases may recover, and become usable as food, or they may be decontaminated and slaughtered for food. This, of course, applies to those animals that have been subjected to the fallout that occurs in the first few weeks after a nuclear explosion; the residual or long-term radiation is another problem.

The picture of survival in a nuclear war becomes clearer each day as civil defence authorities work out the details. The farmer along with everyone else must be prepared to assume responsibility for the role he must play. It is not a hopeless situation, but rather a challenge that we may have to face.

By Dr. H. J. Neely, Extension Officer, Ontario Veterinary College