You hear me reporting from the Massachusetts Emergency Management or MEMA bunker whenever snow gets heavy. I figured I would take you inside for a better idea of what the bunker is and how it came to be. Peter Judge is the MEMA spokesman. He explains everything even down to its location is strategic.
“Back in the 60’s President Kennedy thought it was important to have a location for continuity of government. It’s far enough away from Boston but close enough to the city. “
Outside there are 3 huge radio towers touching the sky. They maintain communication through all means including old school ham radios.
When you go inside the bunker, you are literally walking down several feet. You can’t walk in a straight line, Judge says that’s for a reason. The diagonal line helps defend against radioactive waves. It’s not the prettiest building, but you’re guaranteed to feel safe.
The emergency operations center is pretty standard dozens of phones, seats and jumbo flat screen televisions. They keep an eye and ear on pretty much everything during storms, and big events like the Boston Marathon and the 4th of July celebrations.
In emergency situations staff can be in the bunker for days on end. There’s a full kitchen with a 6 burner stove. Most people can cook who work there. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, even lasagna may be on deck. Judge says sometimes there are snacks lying around.
“Those look like lemon cookies…I’m surprised they’re still here”
Ok that’s survival…but MEMA is ready if someone doesn’t survive. It has a 2 body morgue.
The truth is, you have to listen to this piece to really understand what its like at the MEMA bunker. Enjoy.
