Edited by: TJVNews.com
New York City residents are accustomed to warnings about all kinds of potential threats — severe weather, public health, mass shootings.
But a new PSA on surviving a nuclear attack has rattled some cages.
New York City Emergency Management Department on Monday launched a new public service announcement (PSA) that focuses on nuclear preparedness. While the likelihood of a nuclear weapon incident occurring in/near New York City is very low, it is important New Yorkers know the steps to stay safe. The new PSA encourages New Yorkers to take key, simple steps in the event of such an incident.
“New York City Emergency Management has a multitude of free resources for New Yorkers to prepare for emergencies, including no-notice events,” said New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “As the threat landscape continues to evolve, it is important that New Yorkers know we are preparing for any imminent threats and are providing them with the resources they need to stay safe and informed.”
The PSA outlines three key steps New Yorkers should take:
- Get inside.
- Stay inside.
- Stay tuned.
NYC Emergency Management works with several local, state, and federal agencies to organize emergency response. In partnership with NYPD, FDNY, NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, MTA, and FEMA, the agency hosts the PlanNowNYC website, which focuses on preparing for terrorist attacks and other no-notice events, including nuclear events, as well as the steps to take if such an event occurs.
The City also uses several forms of media to alert the public in an emergency, including Notify NYC, the City of New York’s free, official emergency communications program. New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for these free emergency alerts in their preferred language and format by visiting the website at NYC.gov/notifynyc or by calling 311.
Released this week by the city’s emergency management agency, the 90-second video advises citizens to stay indoors and wash off any radioactive dust or ash, according to an AP report. It opens on a computer-generated street, devoid of life. Damaged skyscrapers can be seen in the background.
Looking into the camera, a spokesperson says: “So there’s been a nuclear attack. Don’t ask me how or why. Just know that the big one has hit.”
The AP reported that many New Yorkers were left asking, “Why now?”
Christina Farrell, the city’s emergency management deputy commissioner, said the video isn’t tied to any specific threats. The AP reported that she said it’s about raising awareness of something most people haven’t given much thought.
“There’s no overarching reason why this is the time we sent this out,” Farrell told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “It’s just one tool in the toolbox to be prepared in the 21st century.”
She said the agency’s goal is to empower people regarding a scary subject, and despite the mixed reactions to the video, “people have thanked us that we are approaching this topic,” as was reported by the AP.
“I don’t know if there’s ever the perfect moment to talk about nuclear preparedness,” she added, saying city officials have discussed implementing nuclear guidelines for quite some time. New York’s emergency response program, Ready New York, has been around since 2003.
Mayor Eric Adams has said he doesn’t believe the video was alarmist, telling reporters Tuesday “I’m a big believer in better safe than sorry.”
(AP)
