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EMP: Threat and Mitigation. Geoff Billin October 13, 2011. EMP = E lectro- M agnetic P ulse. Generated by:. Specialized nuclear device. The sun. Generally no radiation threat. Effects can be local, regional, national. Weapons thought to be available to some adversaries. Effects of EMP.
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EMP: Threat and Mitigation Geoff BillinOctober 13, 2011
EMP = Electro-Magnetic Pulse • Generated by: • Specialized nuclear device • The sun • Generally no radiation threat • Effects can be local, regional, national • Weapons thought to be available to some adversaries.
Effects of EMP • Super-large electrical voltages applied to wiring: • Power lines (long-distance and local) • Telephone lines • Network cables • Antennas
Effects of EMP (2) • Many solid-state devices are affected: • Radios • Desktop computers • Vehicle microprocessors • Cell phone towers • Digital control systems
Effects of EMP (3) • Devices maybe not affected: • Laptops with no wiring (power/network) • Cell phones (but towers are out of service) • Hand-held radios • Military equipment is less susceptible.
Cascading EMP Effects • Power distribution is controlled by microprocessors, so power is out. • Most if not all communication is out. • Most vehicles are unavailable. • Heating and refrigeration are unavailable. • Water cannot be pumped. • Food cannot be transported. • Medicine cannot be kept cool.
“Bottom Line” Shelter is compromised Water becomes unavailable Food becomes unavailable CHAOS
Emergency Managers • MANAGE emergencies • PLAN for disasters • SURVIVE catastrophes
On the other hand… • An event might not be widespread. • Rural and small-town residents may be better able to cope. • The event may never occur.
Mitigation • Store water and food. More than 72 hours! • Protect electronic gear: • “Faraday cage” • Underground • Keep a stock of personal medications. • Arm yourself (?) • Learn how to live a simpler (i.e. 1800’s) life for a while.
Mitigation - Specific • Microwave oven = Faraday cage
“Good” Reading • “One Second After” by William F. Forstchen:A dark novel predicated on a continent-wide EMP attack. • “Report of the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack” • “Lights Out” by David Crawford