The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1941-12-11
Kennewick Takes
All Precautions
Against Invasion
Several departments
organized to handle de-
tails in emergency

In company with hundreds OF
towns up and down both seacoasts
Kennewick is taking prompt pre-
cautions against hostile attack. Un-
der the leadership of George Purdy
Who was appointed defense coordi-
nator by the war department sever
al months ago, auxiliary police, aux
iliary firenen, blackout wardens
first aid crews have been selected
and each assigned to a definite task
E. c. Smith has been appointed
chief of the auxiliary police. He has
appointed the following Legion men
as lieutenants, each with a special
area over which to exercise control
walter Desgranges, Erwin Black, Ray
Boldt, Brick" Oliver, Larry Oliver
Bob Simmelink and w. j. O'Neill. In
case of a blackout, these men will
cover their assigned stations, act
ing as military police.
The auxiliary fire department. will
be under the direction of w. r.
Gravenslund, former chief of the
regular fire department. He also
has appointed assistants and they
will he drilled in the technique of
handling bombs if any should drop
in this area. The Red Cross and
first aid unit will be under the di-
rection of DR.. r. debit. A meeting
OF those who have had first aid
training is being held at the school
house tonight to take instructions
concerning their duties in case of an
emergency.
BIackout Section
Deputy Sheriff Harry Cochran has
been appointed, as chairman to
handle the blackout provisions. He is
being assisted by Elmer Olson and
corps of wardens in the outlying
districts.
Auxiliary utilities and engineering
work will be in charge of Frank
Mason, while transportation, sup
ply and evacuation will be under the
direction of Ed Webber.
MIR. Purdy announces that if any
one cares to volunteer for any of this
work application should be made to
the head of the department.
While there is comparatively small
danger in areas this far inland be-
ing bombed. nevertheless it is thot
wise to take every precaution pos
sible just in case something of the
sort does happen. For that reason,
It is thought likely that practice
olackoIts will be called in the near
future. Authorities warn that COM
pliance with the regulations in this
regard will he just as strict as tho
the entire Jap fleet was headed this
way. Everyone must absolutely obey
the regulations.
Warning Signal
The signal for a blackout is a
blast of the fire siren.
Three short blasts following will be
The all-clear signal. During the
blackout period every light must be
out. This applies to everything
business houses, night lights, signs
everything; every light in residences
unless all crevices are completely
covered. Ordinary window shades
will not suffice. Windows must be
covered so that no ray of light es-
,apeS. -. ~
It IS suggested that each resident |
prepare one room for blackout.
Suitable coverings for doors and |
windows should be prepared, so that
III the rest of the house can have
ne lights out completely, save the
me room, as the blackout period
night last for several hours. It
night he well to test out the plan
'efore the blackout is ordered. |
No lights will pe permitted on
ars and all traffic must cease. No
me except officers will he permit
cd on the streets. People should
tay in their own homes. Do not use
ne telephone. The service will be in
lse by the officers only.
The country is at war. 1t is no
irne for hysteria, but every precau-
Ion must be taken and everyone
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