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Survival (EMP Disaster) Case Study Scenario
Leadership Applied
Background Intel:
On Saturday, 18 Feb 2023 at 3:14 AM, EDT, three unidentified aircraft crossed into
US air-space from the north, flying at high altitudes: one flew over Flathead National
Forest in Montana, heading towards Colorado Springs, CO; one across the CanadianMichigan border heading towards Louisville, KY; and the last one crossing into the
country at the New Brunswick (Canada)-Maine border heading towards New York City.
Once they dropped payloads over their intended targets–Cheyenne Mountain Military
Facility, Fort Knox, and downtown Manhattan, respectively–the republic that was
established in 1776, known as the United States of America, essentially ceased to
exist. These payloads were tactical nuclear weapons and once detonated, high in the
atmosphere overhead, resulted in an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that violently thrust
America back to the Medieval Ages.
The federal government that remained, headquartered in an undisclosed location,
likely somewhere in the lower Southwest near the Brownsville, TX-Mexican border,
declared a national state-of-emergency on 20 Feb 2023. During this message (which
was only initially heard by a small few nationally, but eventually spread by word-ofmouth), it was formally announced that the US Post-Master General, Lucy Eleanor
Roberts, whose position had actually been removed from the POTUS line-of-succession
in 1971, was now the Acting-President of what was left of the country. During her
message, she issued an executive order declaring that states could and should declare
martial-law, as appropriate. Shortly thereafter, the Governor of Alabama ordered the
closing of all major roads and highway routes leading into the state capital region,
specifically I-65 south of Birmingham, in Shelby County and north of Mobile, in
Escambia County.
Assignment Guidance and Instructions:
• You are required to create and submit a written “Action Plan” no later than 3 Mar
2023 (Friday) at 11:59 PM to Dr. Moody, an Assistant Professor at the University
of South Alabama (through CANVAS) for review and assessment.
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• To enhance the credibility of your plan, it should reflect some basic knowledge of
the actual impact an EMP Disaster would cause the United States, so some
background research will be assumed.
• DO NOT include (in other words, don’t repeat verbatim) the Scenario Background
information above in your Action Plan, as it is assumed you fully understand your
situation and will act accordingly; however, you can “refer” to elements in the
scenario for reference and support, as necessary, in the discussion of your Plan’s
creation and implementation.
• Assessment of your assignment will greatly focus on the level-of-analysis you
present for your situation (more details are given below about actual members of
your group). You should submit a well-thought-out, well-written, “Action Plan” that
includes appropriate references and support from the course concepts presented
this semester. In other words, do not expect to “wing it”—this is a leadership and
teamwork course, so your discussion should specifically highlight these elements.
• NOTE: In developing your “survival” action plan, you should also follow the outline
template instructions and assignment guidelines provided in the Assignment
section in CANVAS.
YOUR SCENARIO DETAILS & SURVIVAL GROUP MEMBERS:
On the way back home from visiting relatives in Camden, AL, your vehicle suddenly
broke down and you found yourself stranded on State Road 10, outside of Oak Hill, a
small, rural town in southeast Wilcox County, Alabama. After all the “lights went out”
and living in the stone age became a reality, this area and its unlikely band of
survivors became your new family and home.
The EMP disaster that followed the nuclear attack on the US, at first, caused massive
confusion and high-levels of anxiety, as no one knew what had really happened, since
no communications from any “news sources” were available. Fortunately, the town
folks in your small rural community quickly understood the scope of the situation and
got together to discuss options; specifically, to formulate an “action plan” to gain back
some semblance of civilization. In other words, to begin the cessation of this horrible
situation and to solve the problems brought on by the EMP disaster.
The following descriptions are for the members of your inner circle of community
members and associates, of which you have been “elected” to lead.
You – Last job: Assistant Director, Emergency Operations and Contingency Plans, AL
Crisis Management Agency. You were in this position for 7 years and are well
acquainted with the mayors and city leaders of the key cities in the counties across
the south of the state. Because of your former position, you have been given complete
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authority to oversee and execute your “action plan” as you see fit, following the specific
assignment guidelines, to include the delegation of roles and responsibilities of your
inner circle members, as appropriate to the successful implementation of the plan.
However, you are still ultimately responsible for the creation, implementation and
success of the plan.
Mr. Charlton Leavell – Last job: Sheriff of Butler County, 61 years old. Sheriff Leavell
was attending a regional law enforcement conference in Camden, AL when the EMP
explosions left him stranded in Wilcox County and this new way of life and town
became his reality. “Chuck,” as he is known locally, has 39 years of law enforcement
experience and served as a Colonel in the recently disbanded AL State Defense Force.
He is well-known throughout the region for his fairmindedness, objectivity, and
empathy towards the “less-fortunate” citizens of the state. Sheriff Leavell, due to his
breadth of knowledge and decades of experience, frequently pursues his own agenda
with what he believes is the right solution and balks at any bureaucratic-type process
which requires other’s inputs and unanimous approval. However, he does follow the
orders of recognized authority and can be trusted to ensure proper implementation as
directed—sometimes reluctantly, and always with his opinion included. Alfie never
married and has no immediate family.
Gabriel French – Last job: Part-time cook with a local Food Truck restaurant and an
undergraduate Army ROTC student at Camden University, 21 years old. Gabbie
managed to find his way home from the university after “we fell off the grid.” He is in
great physical health and is knowledgeable of military sciences and operational field
tactics. Prior to the current situation, he completed his ROTC leadership field
exercises and graduated with distinction from the US Army’s ROTC “field survival”
school. Gabriel is also qualified as an Expert Marksman and comfortable with a wide
range of weapons and firearms. Although he was an ROTC cadet, his college major
was European History with a minor in Medieval Art.
Dr. Emily “Em” Collins – Last job: Assistant Professor of Latin American Studies at
Crenshaw College in Luverne, AL, 26 years old. She grew up in Pineapple, AL. This
was her first teaching position since obtaining her PhD in Anthropology from a
prestigious university in the Northwest and taught undergraduate courses in subcultures and sociology; however, her expertise is in Latin American history. Dr.
Collins has presented several conference papers and has been recognized for her
attention to detail and stringent research methodologies. Em, as she is known locally,
can be described as having an introverted personality, choosing to express her
knowledge through the written word and not verbally. Therefore, she will usually stay
in the background of group settings and will only speak when asked specific questions
which pertain to her areas of knowledge and expertise.
Dr. Phillip Collins – Last job: Chief Veterinarian, Wilcox County Regional Animal
Shelter and owner of Pineapple Critters Animal Hospital, 53 years old, father to Dr.
Emily Collins. “Dr. Phil”, as he is known locally, completed his medical degree 26
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years ago, shortly after his daughter was born, on an ROTC scholarship, serving his
enlistment in the AL Air National Guard as a Physician’s Assistant (PA). After
returning to his small, rural hometown, he became the local “vet,” based solely on his
previous medical experience and love of animals. However, he is an avid hunter and
self-declared “prepper.” He is outspoken and very protective of his daughter, since
losing his wife a few years ago to cancer. Dr. Phil truly understands the benefits of
living with a group of individuals in this “new world normal” and goes above and
beyond to ensure the community is well taken care of. He is extremely cautious and
wary of any and all outsiders to the town. Although he is only 53 years old, he takes
daily medication for his High Blood Pressure, which he has only a short, two-week
supply remaining.
Ms. Melinda Chen – Last job: Head of Nursing, Surgical Ward, at Wilcox District
Hospital in Camden, 36 years old. Nurse “Mindy,” as she is known locally, grew up in
another small, remote town in southeast Wilcox County. She had 12 years of nursing
experience at this facility, with 5 years of prior Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
experience with the Awin Volunteer fire department. Nurse Mindy is a self-starter, with
a no-nonsense personality. Due to her extensive experience in high-stress situations,
she tends to get bored easily if there is no “action,” such as in any strategic planning
sessions. Melinda enjoyed an active life-style, choosing outdoor activities during her
few off-days, such as hunting, survival-excursions, and wood-working. In fact, she is
an avid cross-bow archer and is very familiar with the backwoods area of this region.
She has also logged 1,999 hours in a Cirrus SR22 G3 aircraft while studying for her
pilot’s license.
Mr. Lucas Savior – Last job: Water Facility Plant Manager, City of Gee’s Bend, AL, 49
years old. Mr. Savior has a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering and 27 years of
experience in city utility planning and operations. He is a well-respected member of
the Wilcox County Utilities Board Strategic Planning Commission and a long-standing
member of the State Civil Engineers Society. Mr. Savior was a co-owner of a local
family-owned hardware store and has numerous business and governmental contacts
throughout the state and region. In fact, “Luke” (as he known in his local amateur
radio club) is well-known in the area as an expert radio operator (WD4FKE) and has
attended the annual “Hamfest” in Camden for many years, where he has met other
“hams” in town. Several years ago, he lost an arm and an eye in a plant accident and
is keenly aware of his disability. Luke is equipped with a workable, very high-tech,
prosthetic arm and is quite capable of any tasks given him. He taught numerous
safety courses for local businesses and was a favorite instructor among county middle
school students as a participant mentor in the county’s Junior Achievement (JA)
program. He is also a volunteer at the local town library.
Camille “Cami” Razat – Last job: 8th grader at Wilcox County Middle School, 13 years
old. Camille, known among her school friends as “Cami,” lost both of her parents in a
plane crash that occurred immediately after the second EMP exploded. Mr. Savior was
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a close family friend and took her into his home after their deaths. Cami played the
Flute and was in the band’s flag corps. She was a student officer in the school’s
Junior Achievement program and was very active in the after-school music program at
the local community center. Although otherwise healthy, she is a diabetic and requires
daily insulin injections. Cami only had a one-month supply at her house, so once the
power went out, this proved to be a major concern for her survival.
Mr. Alfred English – Last job: Senior Vice President of Finance, 1st Federal Savings
and Loan Bank of Wilcox County, 77 years old. He has lived in the small town of
Pineapple, AL all of his life. After graduating from college in 1966 with a degree in
accounting, “Alfie” volunteered for the U.S. Marine Corps, serving a combat tour in
Vietnam as a Security and Intelligence Liaison Officer in support of Operation CEDAR
FALLS. After his honorable discharge in 1968, he joined the newly opened 1st Federal
Savings and Loan Bank of Wilcox as a clerk supervisor and has been working there for
the past 52 years, having been promoted to his current position 23 years ago. Mr.
English was also an adjunct instructor at Camden University, teaching online classes
through the Continuing Education department. He was happily married to his wife,
Sylvie, for 50 years, until she fell victim to the EMP disaster while driving home late
from her sister’s house, down Interstate 65–her car suddenly “went dead” while doing
75 MPH and she collided with an 18-wheeler that had also suddenly stopped in front
of her. Mr. English has since dedicated his life to helping victims of the EMP attacks
in any way possible and is very focused on survival and honored to be a part of this
eclectic group—and as he sees it, his new family. Alfie has major issues with his eyesight and only has one pair of prescription glasses for this malady.
Current additional situation update:
• The EMP disaster caused severe panic and major disruptions of normal societal
functions throughout the United States and especially in your area of
responsibility (AOR), hit particularly hard, since it is a remote area of the state
and not subject to readily available or renewable resources. City streets and
local highways are mostly abandoned with very few travelers on the road. While
the lack of readily available resources has long since been a reality and minor
looting is still present, most businesses have long since been fully emptied of
their inventories and thus you should not expect significant resources from this
option.
• Also, the appropriation of facilities for communal, societal functions and
processes, such as health care or security, should be discussed. You should
plan to discuss this, as well as all relevant issues, in the appropriate sections of
the “Action Plan” based on the assignment guidance, as instructed.
• As the acknowledged leader of your small group of citizens, your main
responsibility is to develop an “action plan” according to the specifications laid
out in the assignment instructions. During the creation and development stage
of your plan, you should cover all relevant areas of concern that you would
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expect to have in this particular situation, focusing on the leadership and team
issues put forward in the assignment guidance and scenarios above.
• You should not assume access to more individuals than are currently in your
inner circle, e.g. for security purposes, you can expect to protect access into
your community (AOR) with the members of your community. However,
because of obvious limitations, you should expect issues to arise from not
having enough personnel to cover all access points and thus, you should
discuss what your plan is to solve this problem in the appropriate section of
your “action plan.”
• Another assumption for this scenario is that you may come into contact with
other survivors looking for sanctuary or roamers, looking for resources to take
at any cost. Within the appropriate section(s) of the assignment guidance, you
should discuss your plans to deal with these types of issues.