The New York City Department of Emergency Management released a new public service announcement (PSA) on Monday that focuses on nuclear preparedness, detailing the three main steps New Yorkers should take if the Big Apple is shot up: Get in, Stay in and Stay Out coordinated. The shocking video begins with virtual footage showing rocks and New York skyscrapers as emergency sirens blare through the air. A woman appears on the street and outlines what to do next: “So there’s been a nuclear attack. Don’t ask me how and why, just know that the big one has hit.” First, New Yorkers must “get in fast”: “You, your friends, your family, get in.” The PSA host says staying in a car is “not an option” and that when people are inside, they should move as far away from windows as possible. The second step is to “stay inside” and close all doors and windows. If the building has a basement, people are asked to stay there, but if not they should get as far into the middle of the building as possible. Anyone who was outside during the nuclear explosion should take off their clothes and shower immediately to get rid of the radioactive dust, the host says. The third step – stay tuned – means New Yorkers should follow the media and city alerts for information. “Don’t go out until the staff say it’s safe,” warns the host. New York City Emergency Management video explains what to do if New York is hit by a nuclear attack (New York City Emergency Management) The timing of the eerie warning is unclear, with no indication that it came in response to a specific threat or concern. New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol said simply that the New Yorker should be prepared “as the threat landscape continues to evolve.” “As the threat landscape continues to evolve, it is important that New Yorkers know that we are preparing for any impending threats and providing them with the resources they need to stay safe and informed,” he said in a statement announcing the PSA. The city’s statement says that “while the likelihood of a nuclear weapons incident occurring in/near New York City is very low, it is important that New Yorkers know the steps to stay safe.”
