The New York City Emergency Management Department has launched a public service announcement on what to do in the event of a nuclear attack, citing the evolving “threat landscape.”
The video, which was posted without any further explanation, focuses on three instructions — get inside, stay inside, and stay tuned.
“So there’s been a nuclear attack, don’t ask me how or why — just know that the big one has hit,” the video host begins after scenes of an empty city and sirens blaring in the background. “Ok, so, what do we do?”
Step one, she says, is to get inside “fast.” She added, “no, staying in the car is not an option.”
“You need to get into a building and move away from the windows,” the woman explains.
The second step is to “stay inside.”
“Shut all doors and windows. Have a basement? Head there,” she continued. “If you don’t have one, get as far into the middle of the building as possible.”
The video instructs anyone who was outside during the blast to “get clean immediately.”
“Remove and bag all outer clothing to keep radioactive dust or ash away from your body,” she says.
The final step is to “stay tuned” and await instruction from the media about what to next.
“Follow media for more information. Don’t forget to sign up for Notify NYC for official alerts and updates,” she continued, “and don’t go outside until officials say it’s safe.”
“Alright, you’ve got this,” the video concludes.
The department did not explain why they decided to release this video now, but Commissioner Zach Iscol said in a statement obtained by radio station 1010 WINS, “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.”
Christina Farrell, the first deputy commissioner of Emergency Management, told the station that while a nuclear attack is “low probability” it would have “high impact,” so they want to make the city’s population more prepared.
“We know that this material is very serious and can be scary, frankly, but it is very important,” Farrell said. “There is no specific threat at this time.”
Farrell said that “it is very important” and there was “no time like the present” to release it,
“Understandably, people report that this is an event that they feel the least prepared for,” she said. “I don’t know if there’s ever a great time to put out a nuclear preparedness PSA, but it is very important, and we want New Yorkers to be prepared—so no time like the present.”
