Learn How to Prepare for Nuclear Disaster

Last week, Ventura County Public Health introduced a nuclear preparedness public information campaign designed to promote community safety in the event of a nuclear explosion.  Authored by Dr. Robert Levin, Ventura County health officer, the plan educates residents on how to respond in the hours and days immediately following a nuclear attack. 

Although there is no known nuclear threat in Ventura County or elsewhere in the country, Ventura County Public Health officials believe that having an advance nuclear preparedness plan in place will ensure public safety if a nuclear explosion were to occur. The Ventura County Nuclear Preparedness campaign is the first regional plan of its kind in the U.S. and compliments other emergency preparedness initiatives Ventura County has for wildfires, earthquakes, disease outbreaks and tsunamis. 

“Ventura County is very proactive and progressive when it comes to emergency planning,” said Levin. “We know that when people have been taught how to respond before a disaster strikes, injuries are minimized and lives are saved.”

The Ventura County Nuclear Preparedness tag line is “Get Inside, Stay Inside, Stay Tuned.” These six words refer to the fact that after a nuclear explosion, the safest thing to do is get inside the nearest solid structure and move to the center of the building, stay inside until given the okay to return outdoors and stay tuned to all emergency communications for up-to-date information and instructions. 

Similar to the “Stop, Drop and Roll,” fire safety instruction, “Get Inside, Stay Inside and Stay Tuned,” is the smartest and safest way for people to protect themselves and their loved ones from the radioactive fallout that follows a nuclear explosion. 

“Teaching residents to ‘Get Inside, Stay Inside and Stay Tuned’ within the first 60 minutes following a nuclear explosion will be critically important when it comes to ensuring public safety,” said Geoff Dean, Ventura County Sheriff. “We want residents to know that with advance planning and quick reactions, most people can and will survive a nuclear emergency.” 

To educate residents about the Ventura County Nuclear Preparedness campaign, Ventura County Public Health has provided a new link on the website: www.ReadyVenturaCounty.org.  In addition, Levin will host an educational town hall meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at Thousand Oaks City Hall, Oak & Park Room, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 

Dr. Levin’s presentation is designed to both discuss the benefits of sheltering in place and facilitate an open conversation between Ventura County residents and public health officials about the importance of nuclear preparedness. The town hall meetings will include the viewing of a three-minute PSA. 

To learn more about the Ventura County Nuclear Preparedness campaign or to schedule a town hall meeting for your community group, go to: www.ReadyVenturaCounty.org.