Chernobyl

[fmdog44]

I have read life surrounding Chernobyl goes on both animal, plant and human. Mother nature again overpowers all things man made. Do you all know the shroud covering the disaster area was an American design? In America if you have ever worked with the insane nuclear codes you would feel safer overall. Tons of precautionary steps loaded with checks, double checks and triple checks and documentation rules that will drive you nuts.

 

[Phoenix]

I have read life surrounding Chernobyl goes on both animal, plant and human. Mother nature again overpowers all things man made. Do you all know the shroud covering the disaster area was an American design? In America if you have ever worked with the insane nuclear codes you would feel safer overall. Tons of precautionary steps loaded with checks, double checks and triple checks and documentation rules that will drive you nuts.

Still there is the waste which contaminates the planet for thousands of years.

 

[911]

When I was with the Governor at 3-Mile Island, I was very uncomfortable, to say the least. Not scared or afraid, just not a peaceful feeling knowing that the damaged reactor was still in the process of being shutdown. Get this----Before we were allowed to enter the plant, we had to put on a protection suit, booties (as they called them), and a special hat, goggles and gloves. (Did I miss anything?) The important thing here is that I don't think the President's security team was ready for that. The Secret Service guys had to remove their pistols, but they wouldn't do it in front of anyone, so they took them to a private area to dress, one at a time. (What were they hiding?)

When the newspaper photographer wanted to take the Governor's and President Carter's picture, they refused to be photographed in the outfit, so they allowed them to undress for just a few minutes. This is why President Carter's hair is messed up in the pictures. After the photo shoot, we were invited to go across the street to a building that at the time was used to tell the story of how the reactors were built, assembled and installed. (The building has a name, but I never wrote it down.) When we went inside, they had a big table set up with all kinds of food. The Governor invited the state police and the SS to join in. The other 2 Troopers and myself had a little something, but the SS guys didn't eat. I thought that to be a bit unusual, but I thought "Oh, well. Their loss.". I remember it well. I had the very best open-faced Sirloin sandwich with Béarnaise Sauce. I wrote in my journal, "Damn, that was good!"

Here's a picture. Oh, look. The President still has his booties on. I was never aware of that.

 

[911]

I just noticed that the President's pant leg is stuck up his leg. He must have done that taking off that dog-gone hot suit they made us wear. Take notice to that thing under the breast pocket on their suit coats. They detect radiation. After the tour, we turned them in and someone there took each one and put them into a machine to see how much radiation we had taken. Each of us were only allowed so much 'millisievert'. I don't know what this is. I just wrote it down in my journal. Someone else may be able to fill in the blanks.

 

[Phoenix]

I just noticed that the President's pant leg is stuck up his leg. He must have done that taking off that dog-gone hot suit they made us wear. Take notice to that thing under the breast pocket on their suit coats. They detect radiation. After the tour, we turned them in and someone there took each one and put them into a machine to see how much radiation we had taken. Each of us were only allowed so much 'millisievert'. I don't know what this is. I just wrote it down in my journal. Someone else may be able to fill in the blanks.

Interesting career you had. I always liked Carter.

 

[911]

Interesting career you had. I always liked Carter.

I served my 2 years on the Governor's security team, which is part of the State Police Executive Service Section. It's not mandatory, however, you have to apply and then be vetted (again) and then go before the Governor's goon squad (as we call them) and if they like you and your record is good, you're probably in. There are a few nice perks that go along with the job, so it's good work, interesting work, sometimes fun, (with the right Governor in office) and a lot of really nice events to attend. The downside is that the Governor often attends evening events/meetings and if you're working second shift at the time, you go too. There's round the clock security on the security team and you have to be flexible and willing to do shift work, which is not really a good thing. It's rotational, that's for sure.

After the 2011 shooting of Arizona Governor Gifford, security tightened. I served much earlier.

 

[fmdog44]

When I was with the Governor at 3-Mile Island, I was very uncomfortable, to say the least. Not scared or afraid, just not a peaceful feeling knowing that the damaged reactor was still in the process of being shutdown. Get this----Before we were allowed to enter the plant, we had to put on a protection suit, booties (as they called them), and a special hat, goggles and gloves. (Did I miss anything?) The important thing here is that I don't think the President's security team was ready for that. The Secret Service guys had to remove their pistols, but they wouldn't do it in front of anyone, so they took them to a private area to dress, one at a time. (What were they hiding?)

When the newspaper photographer wanted to take the Governor's and President Carter's picture, they refused to be photographed in the outfit, so they allowed them to undress for just a few minutes. This is why President Carter's hair is messed up in the pictures. After the photo shoot, we were invited to go across the street to a building that at the time was used to tell the story of how the reactors were built, assembled and installed. (The building has a name, but I never wrote it down.) When we went inside, they had a big table set up with all kinds of food. The Governor invited the state police and the SS to join in. The other 2 Troopers and myself had a little something, but the SS guys didn't eat. I thought that to be a bit unusual, but I thought "Oh, well. Their loss.". I remember it well. I had the very best open-faced Sirloin sandwich with Béarnaise Sauce. I wrote in my journal, "Damn, that was good!"

Here's a picture. Oh, look. The President still has his booties on. I was never aware of that.

View attachment 130884

So does everyone else except the technician working in the area. What does not make sense is this has to be before they went in to risk of contamination. After contamination they would remove the booties before walking on clean surfaces.

 

[Phoenix]

I served my 2 years on the Governor's security team, which is part of the State Police Executive Service Section. It's not mandatory, however, you have to apply and then be vetted (again) and then go before the Governor's goon squad (as we call them) and if they like you and your record is good, you're probably in. There are a few nice perks that go along with the job, so it's good work, interesting work, sometimes fun, (with the right Governor in office) and a lot of really nice events to attend. The downside is that the Governor often attends evening events/meetings and if you're working second shift at the time, you go too. There's round the clock security on the security team and you have to be flexible and willing to do shift work, which is not really a good thing. It's rotational, that's for sure.

After the 2011 shooting of Arizona Governor Gifford, security tightened. I served much earlier.

Thanks for providing the insights. The odd hours would be less than desirable. I know I wouldn't be suited at all for the position. To do a good job you need to have special qualities. It must be a good feeling to know that you have them.