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Are You Ready for a Terrorist Attack? Probably Not!
By Thomas D. Segel
March 3, 2003

Those who rushed out to buy plastic sheeting, duct tape and some bottled water may think they are now prepared for the next terrorist event on America. In truth, they are far from being ready to face the aftermath of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) attacks.

Two retired Marine officers feel so strongly about the lack of preparedness on the part of all citizens they have written a 23-page paper on the subject. Major Frank C. Stolz of Round Rock, Texas and CWO 4 James E. Mulloy of Oceanside, California devoted months of study and research to the subject of civilian preparedness.

What they discovered was no preparedness documents existed which were available to the general population. There was nothing in print that contained a single source of information all civilians should have to prepare for the possibility of a chemical, biological or nuclear attack.

According to Stolz, "Government officials have avoided training and preparing the citizenry in basic self protection. Citizens can only hope for assistance AFTER an event occurs".

Though Mulloy, who was the chief researcher on the project, extensively reviewed every document he could obtain, the wounded Vietnam War hero and Navy Cross recipient could find no government recommended home remedies or optional medications proposed in any Defense Preparedness Plans. This included plans prepared by city, county, state and federal authorities. The duo could not even locate a plan, which would be distributed to the public instructing them on what to do "after-the-fact".

It became obvious that the government had done nothing to prepare civilian populations for a WMD attack. Frank Stolz started asking what the justification was for not informing and providing information to the public.

"During our research", he said, "we questioned numerous experts and many others as to why American citizens do not have sufficient medications, protective gear, or information in case of a WMD incident. The replies have been of questionable logic and are often meant to keep the public completely dependent on these government agencies rather than ensuring the protection of the general public."

Stolz charged that when he asked why civilians could not purchase a complete WMD kit and protective clothing, he was told..." It would be too costly for everyone. The poor would be left out and it could cause panic if implemented."

While it may be true our government cannot afford the free distribution of 280 million sets of protective clothing and WMD kits to its citizens, withholding these same items from the general population seems callous beyond belief.

Iraq recently bought large quantities of the nerve agent antidote Atropine, which could be dispensed to its people. This medication cannot even be purchased in the United States without a doctor's prescription.

It seems only logical that Americans should be allowed to make similar purchases for their own families. It is an even more rational idea that they be allowed to buy protective clothing and other WMD survival equipment.

As James Mulloy says, "If many have protection, it would cause less work, time, and effort for the emergency personnel caring for the public."

Both Marines feel there is truth in the assumption that many people would not use the money they are now spending on smoking, drugs, alcohol or gambling to purchase safety and protective equipment. These are choices they make of their own free will. It can be further argued that all of those Americans wishing for the safety of their families should still be able to spend their own income on these items, even if others decide to make different choices.

The WMD Remedies and Protection Guide authors asked why we don't teach our children what to do in the event of an attack, as we did in the 1950s during the height of the Cold War and fears of atomic explosions. They were told, "It would panic the communities and there isn't equipment and kits for children."

This poses an even more important question...Who are we trying to protect? If we don't make protective equipment and WMD kits for infants, children, disabled, pregnant women and elderly people....who do we have them for....And Why?

Also, if it is too costly to have all of these things made in America, why don't we contract for their manufacture in other countries where the labor is pennies on our dollar? No quality control officials say! Well, send our own inspectors over to supervise the work.

These questions, plus many more...and the suggested answers are all in the work done by Stolz and Mulloy. But, they have gone even further. They have explained radiological exposure and the action people should take to minimize their exposure risk. They explain how to apply treatment in the event exposure is experienced. They address chemical exposure and follow-up treatment. Biological exposure and treatment have a major chapter in this important guide.

A number of home remedies are listed and explained. These are very important to learn about; in the event a prescribed remedy is not available.

A worthwhile section of this work is the WMD Home Preparedness List Suggestions. Also worth the reader's time is a list of recommended websites, plus reading and research listings.

When it appeared the government was not interested in the work or the massive effort it took to create this important document, Stolz and Mulloy added a disclaimer to the cover and offered it to their own extended family members. As Stolz says, "This is now simply an Information Sheet for our family members who might be frightened, impaired, panic stricken, or simply unsure of what to do in the event they are in a location where a WMD device has been activated."

The Marines have not offered their preparedness guide to the general public, because it is not an official document. They also did not want to be accused of diagnosing or treating any illnesses.

However, this writer was able to find the guide on their website. at http://www.mpcview.com and download the entire document.

When their civilian preparedness guide was completed, the authors sent copies to the Centers for Disease Control, FEMA, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Biological and Chemical Defense, Home Security and the Department of Energy. Many months have passed. They are still awaiting a single word of response or a written reply from any of the government addressees.