Worried about war/working in DC

[Anonymous]

As if we needed one more thing to worry about. I now fear going into DC daily and being trapped if something were to happen. Traffic is already so bad and nearly impossible to get in and out of the city, but in the event of a crisis, I have no viable way to get home. I would hate to be stuck on the metro. I've been trying to think of a contingency plan, but can't come up with anything viable. Implementing telework for safety purposes seems the most practical option, yet I doubt agencies will offer it.

What do you think are good plans?

[Anonymous]

I have had similar thoughts. It just seems stupid to have so many govt workers in the same radius as far as continuity purposes go. I wish they would offer telework as I feel much safer at home many miles away from potential epicenter downtown DC, but don't see that occurring.

[Anonymous]

Not a government worker and not thrilled about going in either. It’s not happening though, MAGA killed telework for good.

[Anonymous]

If you are that worried can you leave an old bike at work (with an air pump for the tires).

[Anonymous]

It’s extremely unlikely that anyone would militarily strike DC. Yes I know we hit Iran- but they’re likely to try and strike US bases in the Middle East before they’d strike here. Plus Israel has been working to destroy Irans defense capabilities- which is one reason our B2s got through so easily.

[Anonymous]

I would pack sneakers and have cash on hand. On 9-11 my brother hitched a ride with a nice gentleman who helped him get out of DC. I believe we would work together to be safe. That's all we can do.

[Anonymous]

Keep comfortable shoes and whatever kind of mask you want in your office and have a plan to walk. As with any emergency, know what to grab immediately and what to leave. Know what routes you'd prefer and maybe an alternate in the other direction.

My coworkers were Midwest out of towners at a conference at a low-rise hotel near the World Trade Center on 9-11. They followed the crowds to the shore then took a ferry to New Jersey. From there, they figured things out. Our White Plains, NY office located a rental car and they got to it somehow.

[Anonymous]

I'm not being a smart ass, but use common sense. On 9-11, I worked in downtown DC. When all hell broke loose, I was shocked at how little sense my coworkers had. They were waiting for our boss to give guidance and authorize them to leave. I was 22 and had enough sense to buzz past him, exit the building, and board the empty train.

I got out of DC easily because I left immediately. Rule #1-- leave at the first sign of trouble, and don't be afraid to use your best judgment. Don't rely on the people in charge to have the best judgment in a crisis.

[Anonymous]

Really hate how deep we are getting on the FAFO of this presidency. Why won’t Congress Act?

[Anonymous]

Thanks to the crackdown on illegal immigrants and documented DHS is ensuring any threats to America are deported.

[Anonymous]

Running shoes. I have always had them in my office post-9/11, and although I no longer work downtown, DH still does and keeps a pair in his office now. If you need to get out quickly, it will be on foot.

[Anonymous]

Running shoes are a good idea. I would also consider keeping a backpack with a comfortable change of clothes at work, along with a few bags of snacks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As if we needed one more thing to worry about. I now fear going into DC daily and being trapped if something were to happen. Traffic is already so bad and nearly impossible to get in and out of the city, but in the event of a crisis, I have no viable way to get home. I would hate to be stuck on the metro. I've been trying to think of a contingency plan, but can't come up with anything viable. Implementing telework for safety purposes seems the most practical option, yet I doubt agencies will offer it.

What do you think are good plans?

🙄

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not being a smart ass, but use common sense. On 9-11, I worked in downtown DC. When all hell broke loose, I was shocked at how little sense my coworkers had. They were waiting for our boss to give guidance and authorize them to leave. I was 22 and had enough sense to buzz past him, exit the building, and board the empty train.

I got out of DC easily because I left immediately. Rule #1-- leave at the first sign of trouble, and don't be afraid to use your best judgment. Don't rely on the people in charge to have the best judgment in a crisis.

This. I grabbed a CaBi to get home after the DC earthquake while everyone else was still milling around downtown. Probably because I ended up having to walk 100 blocks on 9/11 because I wandered around in midtown instead of GTFO …

[Anonymous]

You should have good shoes and a backpack with water and a hat. Having to walk out could happen for many reasons, including earthquake / power outage that renders metro and garages inoperable.

The bigger issue is what happens to your kids and pets until you get home, or if you never get home. The RTO crowd doesn't like to acknowledge it but it's necessary to have *someone* near your kid's school or daycare in case of emergency - whether that's a parent, neighbor, grandparent, friend's parent. We're all dependent on having someone not working in downtown DC. Find that person and make a plan that doesn't require you to have cell access to initiate it.