Worried about war/working in DC

[Anonymous]

They are reportedly adding extra security to religious institutions today. Why? Not just working but worship and school is scary.

[Anonymous]

I worked near the white house for a fed agency. Right after 9-11 we were given advice as to what to store in our office in case we needed to shelter in place during a dirty bomb attack. It was like water, non-perishable food, plastic tarps, duct tape. I also always made sure I had tennis shoes at work after 9-11.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Didn't you get a gas mask and accompanying training? I did as a fed years ago.

Agree with the comfy shoes statement. Also some eye protection and a mask.

[Anonymous]

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

This actually isn't a bad idea. It has occurred to DH to do this, but he never has (he had a terrible time getting home to Va on 9/11).

[Anonymous]

Iran will do nothing.

[Anonymous]

Working in a likely potential target facility post 9/11, I always kept a "go bag" in my office. It contained basic survival supplies, combat boots, a compact fire department forcible entry tool in case needed to facilitate my exit from the building, a gas mask with spare filters, and atropine autoinjectors to address nerve agents. My plan was to walk home to Fairfax County if necessary. It would take a while, but would be doable if the bridges remained intact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Iran will do nothing.

Are you delusional?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Iran will do nothing.

Ah, yes. The peaceful government of Iran. Thanks for your intelligence assessment.

[Anonymous]

Ride a bike

[Anonymous]

I live on Capitol Hill. I just figure that we’ll be bombed and incinerated, so I’m not wasting time thinking about this. I’m enjoying the present moment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Didn't you get a gas mask and accompanying training? I did as a fed years ago.

Agree with the comfy shoes statement. Also some eye protection and a mask.

I left federal service (DOL - HQ Frances Perkins Building) in 1998 and moved away from DMV. I was working in a skyscraper in a not affected city during 9-11. A lot of my coworkers were very freaked out that whatever was happening was coming for us. I was less concerned because I didn't think we'd be on anyone's top 100 target list. I was asked to find a company car to help an onsite VIP drive home (since total air closures were announced fairly quickly). So I was at the back of the traffic jam heading out of the city.

One lesson I learned from this and a blackout a year later is to always keep your car fueled up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Iran will do nothing.

Iran assassinated someone in Bethesda before and got away cleanly with it. The news also reported extensively on Iran trying to attack Trump in response to Solemani.

Iran is a lot more capable than Iraq or Afghanistan. They have funded terrorism all over the world. They killed or injured over 1000 US soldiers. We are at very high risk now for a terrorist attack. It's literally Iran's MO.

[Anonymous]

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

There is no Congress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I also think this is the most likely outcome and I am not concerned about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worked near the white house for a fed agency. Right after 9-11 we were given advice as to what to store in our office in case we needed to shelter in place during a dirty bomb attack. It was like water, non-perishable food, plastic tarps, duct tape. I also always made sure I had tennis shoes at work after 9-11.

It’s a good idea to have a go-bag at the ready: at a minimum, you want two (2) pairs of sturdy but stylish pants, a good pair of scissors, a small bag of coins, a sufficient length of string or twine, sunglasses, 4 AA batteries, and a wig/hat/or other head covering. Better safe than sorry.