as far as the controls go - I actually like the "break-glass idea". There is too much "virtual world" stuff happening with computers. If the system required glass to be broken, and then automatically that set off red flashing lights and a warning horn (inside the control room) ... chances are you wouldn't have a lot of false alerts.

For the people on the street - they need a lot of tangible signs that a major emergency is taking place. Visual, audible, special vehicles or police ... the whole shebang. Maybe as a bare minimum, under a nuke emergency EVERY fire engine and emergency vehicle in Hawaii should activate its siren and its lights. All of that stuff going off together, will get across the message that something real is going down.

Maybe they just need some large bullhorn speakers, and a voice saying ... This is a nuclear alert! This is not a drill. Incoming warhead, seven minutes from impact!" Something like that - might get people's blood moving.

Pete