In civil defense there is a special signal called “Air Raid”. Its main purpose is to notify residents of a certain locality or area about a probable enemy attack. Similar signals are given during war, but to practice the procedure, “Air Raid” signals can also be given in peacetime, so that the population knows how to behave correctly in such a situation.
We sincerely hope that your contacts with such signals will be limited to exercises, but for your own safety it is better to study theoretical information in advance in order to be prepared for any unpleasant surprises if necessary. You can find the relevant information in today's article.
What is an “Air Raid” signal and the procedure
An air raid warning is a special signal that performs a warning function in civil defense. If the population acts clearly and harmoniously immediately after such a warning, large-scale casualties can be successfully avoided.
First of all, you should know in what cases such a signal is given and what procedure should be followed. It must be remembered that the sirens sound for only 2-3 minutes, and after they stop you will have about the same amount of time to collect everything you need and evacuate (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Air raid warning - one of the main civil defense signals
You should also keep in mind that an alarm signal can catch you anywhere and at any time. But this does not mean that you can give in to panic. Remember: only clear, coordinated and coordinated actions will help avoid danger.
The concept of air raid and the characteristic features of the situation
The basis for activating the "Air Raid" signal is the threat of attack or the use of weapons of mass destruction. Not only the civilian population, but also industrial facilities, highways, railway lines and large airports may be targeted.
Figure 2. A signal alerts the population to the threat of an air attack.
To quickly notify the population, all available technical means of communication are used to send a signal: sirens, loudspeakers, radios and sound emitters of category C-28. Unfortunately, not all people know what the signal sounds like and what it means (Figure 2).
The air raid signal consists of the following text message: “Attention! Attention! Citizens! Air raid alert! Air raid alert! These words are necessarily accompanied by short beeps and a prolonged howl of a siren, and the duration of the signal must be at least 3 minutes.
In addition to civil defense warning systems, relevant information is transmitted by local television channels, land and water transport and industrial enterprises.
If you hear such a signal, you need to act depending on the circumstances in which you find yourself. For example, if an alarm began while working at an enterprise, all processes must be stopped and employees evacuated to a shelter. If for technical reasons it is impossible to stop certain processes, it is necessary to leave a person on duty at the workplace, having previously provided him with an individual shelter.
We will consider the procedure for action in case of an air raid in different situations below, but for now we will focus on the potential danger that the threat of attack may pose.
Air raid alert actions. Rules of conduct in the event of an "air raid" signal
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Air raid clear signal
The "air raid all clear" signal in Volzhsky is transmitted by civil defense authorities. The text is transmitted over the radio broadcast network: “Attention! Attention citizens! Air raid all clear? Air raid warning cleared."
At this signal, the population, with the permission of the commandants (seniors) of shelters and shelters, leaves them. Workers and employees return to their workplaces and begin work.
The population of the urban district - the city of Volzhsky, Volgograd region, due to the destruction of storage facilities at chemically hazardous facilities, may fall into the zone of chemical contamination with emergency chemical hazardous substances such as chlorine (a greenish-yellow gas with a sharp characteristic odor), ammonia (a colorless gas with a sharp characteristic odor of ammonia alcohol), methyl mercaptan (a colorless gas with a strong odor reminiscent of rotten cabbage).
If you receive information about the release of highly toxic substances into the atmosphere and the danger of chemical contamination, put on personal respiratory protection, simple skin protection (raincoats, capes), take shelter in the nearest shelter or leave the area of the accident.
If there is no personal protective equipment, there is no shelter nearby and it is impossible to leave the area of the accident, stay indoors, turn on the means of receiving voice information and wait for messages.
Turn off ventilation systems, air conditioners, close and seal windows, doors, chimneys, ventilation vents (hatches).
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In the absence of personal respiratory protection, cotton-gauze dressings can be used.
It is recommended to moisten the dressings with water, and if possible:
– if there is a threat of ammonia contamination – 5% citric acid;
– if there is a threat of chlorine contamination – 2% baking soda solution.
Due to the special characteristics of chlorine (methyl mercaptan) (heavier than air), it is necessary to leave basements, basements and lower floors of buildings, and take shelter in the upper floors of buildings.
Due to the special characteristics of ammonia (ammonia is 1.7 times lighter than air), evacuate the upper floors of buildings immediately.
In all cases, when the population is in an open area, it is necessary to either evacuate from the contaminated area perpendicular to the direction of the wind, or take shelter in nearby shelters (depending on the type of toxic substances).
Tarasov Dmitry Timofeevich
Master of Sports in mountaineering. Author of scientific articles on the topic of survival in the wild
In order to inform the population, the city administration, through MKU "EDDS" and the media, will provide hotline telephone numbers that the city population can call to obtain the necessary information.
If there is a threat or in the event of an extreme situation - an accident, catastrophe, natural disaster, air hazard, threat of chemical, radioactive contamination - in populated areas, national economic facilities, sirens, horns and other sound signaling devices are turned on (for example, sirens of special vehicles of the Ministry of Internal Affairs) . THIS IS A SINGLE SIGNAL MEANING “ATTENTION TO EVERYONE”!
Having heard the signal, you must turn on the TV, radio, radio broadcast network speaker and listen to the message from local authorities or government bodies for civil defense and emergency situations. The message indicates: the fact of the threat, the direction of spread of contaminated air, populated areas falling within the contamination zone, the nature of the actions of production personnel and the population.
Tarasov Dmitry Timofeevich
Master of Sports in mountaineering. Author of scientific articles on the topic of survival in the wild
Civil defense signals in wartime are: “Air alarm”, “Air alarm all clear”, “Radiation danger”, “Chemical alarm”.
How to act on an “Air Raid” signal:
a) if you are at work or in an educational institution, you must:
– carry out the measures provided for in this case by the instructions developed for this area of production (stop work or activities);
– turn off (at night) external and internal lighting, with the exception of camouflage lighting fixtures;
– put on a gas mask and secure it in the “stowed” position;
– take a place in the shelter (shelter) as quickly as possible;
– drivers of vehicles are obliged to immediately stop, open the doors, disconnect the vehicle from power sources and, following the passengers, rush to the nearest shelter;
b) if you are in a public place, you must carefully listen to the administration’s message about the location of the nearest shelter and rush there, putting available personal protective equipment on alert;
c) if the signal finds you at home, you must:
– turn off the gas, all heating devices (extinguish the fire in the stove), turn off the gas and electricity supplies;
– dress children, take personal protective equipment;
– take medical protective equipment, a supply of water and a supply of non-perishable food;
– put on a gas mask and secure it in the “stowed” position;
– grab available skin protection products;
– warn neighbors if they did not hear the signal;
– get to the protective structure as quickly as possible, and if there is none, use natural shelters;
– leave the vehicle immediately after it stops;
- Prepare your personal protective equipment and quickly take the nearest shelter. If you did not have time to take shelter, (shelter), hide in the nearest buried room, underground passage, tunnel or sewer; if they are not available, use any trench, ditch, ravine, beam, hollow, hole and other artificial and natural shelters.
Procedure for civilians
The actions of the population when an air raid siren sounds directly depends on the circumstances. In other words, when you are on the street, at home or at work, you need to act differently, although there is some general algorithm of behavior (Figure 4).
No matter what circumstances you find yourself in, always follow the instructions of the police, authorities or other officials who have authority to evacuate. Any initiative in such a critical situation can cost you your life.
What to do in case of an air raid depends on your location:
- At work or at school:
in the event of an attack, every organization has a clear action and evacuation plan. Also, at any enterprise there is an employee responsible for evacuation. After the signal sounds, all production and educational processes stop, and people are taken to the shelter. - In transport:
after the signal sounds, all vehicles stop. The driver is obliged to let passengers out and turn off the power to the equipment. After this, the population goes to the shelter. Its location is indicated in an audio message. - At home:
in this case, it is easiest to prepare for the unexpected. But remember that you will only have a few minutes to get ready. First of all, take with you documents, a small supply of food and supplies, warm clothes and a first aid kit. If possible, take a gas mask or cotton-gauze bandage with you. Inform your neighbors about the threat of attack and move to a place of refuge.
Figure 4. Procedure for the civilian population
To prevent an unpleasant situation from taking you by surprise, it is better to prepare the so-called “Alarm suitcase” in advance. Place shelf-stable food items, water, documents, a first aid kit and money in it. Periodically, the contents of such a suitcase need to be inspected and changed.
Collecting the “Alarm Case” plays a really important role. It is better to spend time getting ready in a calm environment in advance than to run around the house in a panic, collecting the necessary things.
Hiding places
All settlements have special shelters in case of threat of air attack. If a siren sounds or a corresponding message is received on the radio, you must immediately go to such a shelter.
If you do not know about its location, or there is no specially equipped building in your area, you can use any basement or ground floor as a shelter. In some situations, you can even take shelter in underground railway tunnels or metro stations.
Remember that you need to act extremely quickly, but without panic. The signal sounds for no more than five minutes. It is highly advisable to collect all your things during this time and, if you don’t get to the shelter, then at least start moving in its direction (Figure 5).
Figure 5. After the signal, you must proceed to the bomb shelter
Government authorities never leave evacuation to chance. Representatives of the police or rescue services will be present in all parts of populated areas and, if necessary, will provide the necessary assistance or suggest where it is best to take shelter.
If you are in a rural area where there are no specially equipped shelters, you can take shelter in any large basement, ravine or deep hole.
What is forbidden to do
If an air raid signal sounds, and you are sure that this is not a training exercise, but a real threat of attack, under no circumstances should you engage in amateur activities. Any mistake or delay can cost you your life.
Air raid alert
This signal warns of an enemy attack and is broadcast on radio broadcasting stations and televisions. People will be given all the information about what is happening and given instructions on what to do.
Photo source: Pixabay
Actions of the population: if a person is at home, it is necessary to collect documents, a supply of food and water, turn off gas, electrical appliances, water, and close the windows. You also need to bring personal protective equipment with you. After this, you need to go to the nearest shelter, find shelter (for example, a basement, basement of a building, underground passage, cellar, subway).
If a person hears a signal at the workplace, they must immediately stop working and hide in an underground room. If the alarm goes off in public transport, you must leave it and also hide.
