The “JEEP alert” is a fictional protocol created for the film A House of Dynamite, but it is based on the real-world concept of Continuity of Government (COG). While the specific “Joint Emergency Evacuation Plan” (JEEP) is not a real government protocol, the US government does have established plans to ensure its functions can continue in a crisis.
Here’s a comparison of the fictional JEEP alert and real government procedures:
JEEP alert in A House of Dynamite
- Fictional protocol: JEEP stands for “Joint Emergency Evacuation Plan” and is triggered in the film by the confirmation of an incoming nuclear missile.
- Narrative focus: The alert serves as a plot device to dramatize the high-stakes decisions of who is prioritized for evacuation to secure bunkers.
- Symbolism: It symbolizes the cold, pragmatic nature of national security decisions in a catastrophic event, contrasting the emotional and personal stakes of the characters.
Real government continuity procedures (COG)
- Real-world contingency plans: The US government has long-standing Continuity of Government (COG) plans managed by agencies like FEMA. These plans establish procedures for maintaining leadership and essential functions during emergencies, such as a natural disaster or nuclear attack.
- Relocation sites: The real plans involve relocating pre-selected officials to secure, classified bunkers and facilities to ensure the government can continue to operate. A famous example is the Raven Rock Mountain Complex in Pennsylvania.
- Purpose: Unlike the fictional drama of A House of Dynamite, the actual purpose of COG is to preserve the country’s functional government, leadership, and records, not to serve as a dramatic plot point.
