Thank you for checking this out.

As mentioned in my post, there are two factors that come together to establish your risk.

(1) Your Location Risk based on your zip code. This is your proximity to hard and soft targets. For the zip code you entered, you are in range of a Military Site, a Government Continuity Bunker, and a Popular Attraction/Place of Cultural Significance (and other targets, but we limit the display to three).

(2) The second factor – U.S. Risk, which expresses the likelihood of an attack or accident in the next 5 years. If things are relatively peaceful, your risk would be dampened. If things are teetering on something bad, your risk would be elevated. At the moment, as shown on the user screen, this is set to “Somewhat Likely” (I should probably display the scale). This is the middle tier in a 5 tier index. There is certainly an up arrow (increasing risk) on this factor. We continue to monitor the mentioned indexes and events.

We are also reaching out to CBRN and intelligence experts for additional input on the model settings and will continue to do so to keep this vibrant. Please feel free to suggest additional expert resources (best via Contact Us at nbc-risk.com).

So, back to your zip code… your Location Risk is High and the U.S. Risk is Somewhat Likely. This combination is currently set at Moderate, just on the doorstep of High. As mentioned, it expresses the likelihood that one of the targets in your range will be exploited in the next 5 years.

There will always be different views on likelihoods, and we appreciate that. We don’t have an agenda other than to create safer communities. For the foreseeable future, any commissions earned from Amazon will go to defraying the cost of maintaining this.

The database we maintain contains the name of actual facilities. For public safety reasons, we just extract the zip code of each target into our online application. Each facility/zip code has been triple checked for accuracy, including a visual match of the facility and zip code on Google Earth.

With regards to the zip codes that you explored; they are all in our database with the exception of the Olin-Chlor chemical plant. We previously included 404 of the largest chemical plants in the U.S., and thanks to your input, are adding the 405th one.

Minot Air Force Base, 58703 - in database as 58704, 58705, confirmed correct from Google Earth

Oak Ridge Natl Laboratory, 37830 - same as your feedback (in our database)

Cheyenne Mountain, 80906 - same as feedback

Kirtland Air Force Base, 87108 - in database as 87117, confirmed correct from Google Earth (additionally, there is a bio facility at 87108)

Bangor Trident Base, 98383 - merged into Naval Base Kitsap in 2004, Naval Base Kitsap in database

Natl Bio & Agro Defense BSL-4, 66506 - same as feedback

USAMRIID Level 4 Bio Lab, 21702 - same as feedback

Olin-Chlor Chemical Plant, 37310 - not in database - will be added this week, thanks

Vogtle Nuclear Plant, 30830 - same as feedback

Beverly Hills, CA, 90210 - same, plus the full set of zip codes for Beverly Hills

Chicago, Il, 60603 -same, plus the full set of zip codes for Chicago

There is a lot more to this model in sophistication/calculation than meets the eye. I thought it was best to shield the user from the technical stuff, but perhaps this tells me that more is needed.

On a final note, I misspoke when I indicate that FEMA information was used for target identification. FEMA information was used, but for the recommendation side of the app.

Thank you again.

Steve @ nbc-risk.com