Here is my initial response to John Parks points (followed his numbering/points scheme):
1)I think I would mention the possibility of an EMP, IF the evidence supported that event (e.g. electronic devices that were exposed suddenly dead like cell phones, or if vehicles that were running suddenly shut down and cannot be started again, not one offs but more than a few), but I would not add to the chaos. Tell everyone to hope for the best, the power returns shortly, but plan for the worst of a prolonged outage, possibility of being longer than a few months or even year. Try not to add to the anxiety.
2) I know of one guy with a HAM radio (cannot miss that antenna). Does he have back up power? Dunno. What information will be out there? How accurate will that information be? Does anyone know? Is the government transmitting? Or even jamming?
3) Like to think there would be enough spare parts, plumbing to help teach people to build some kind of hand pump. I have seen articles on them online.
4) Good question. Thing is, how long do you wait to enact something like that? Supermarkets have insurance policies that will cover perishable foods over a certain hour (12hrs is the default). So will the managers allow anyone near the food? Unless it is LE? After 12hrs (assuming they dont have back up generators, that is what the insurance is for)? How long before people start to run out of what they have in their homes and start making demands for the supermarket to open? 24, 48, 72hrs? At the 72 mark, I think you can say good bye to the perishable stuff.
5) Another good question. No fuel, yeah, carrying someone for any real distance is an issue. Do the LE get the remaining fuel (IF there is a vehicle still running) to maybe go and get the wounded/injured/ill and bring them to a centralized facility, or take the medical professional to the person, so they can rest in their own home. And if the fuel is gone?
6) We dont have any LE in the vicinity. We are on our own and know it. Maybe elect a dedicated “local” sheriff and he/she has the power to deputize anyone if the situation arises? Under the circumstances, do laws change? I would imagine a all volunteer security force, militia if you will, maybe necessary. But they are not just for security but the new local fire department too.
7) The bulletin board at a central location is a great idea! Question, how much paper, pens/pencils does everyone have? Used to be common place, before computers, smartphones etc. I could see a once a week town/city hall meetings. I could also see the pop up of impromptu markets where people gather to trade and barter but talk and pass news too. I think then a persons word will be that much more important. Like to think people keep the gossip to a min, but that would not be realistic.
8) Good idea.
9) That one I would go with the compost or cremation route.
That is all I got for now.
More later!
Great Convo!