The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-12-08
Civilian Defense

The year from December ', 1922 to December 2, 1943, has been an eventful year for civilian defense in Connecticut.
 During that period civilian de- fensc machinery in every village, city and town has completed and perfected so that more than 100.- 900 volunteers have been trained to respond to any wartime emergency.
 Under the guidance of Governor Raymond E. Baldwin the old De- fense Council was reorganized by the General Assembly and Con- necticut War Council created with increased powers and duties. The former council was identified main ly with setting up machinery against air raids or enemy action. In addition to the protective phases of civilian defense and new War Council was given jurisdiction over emergency problems in the fields of food, fuel, nanpoWer and other economic and social emergencies brought about by the war.
 The job of recruiting, organizing and training volunteer personnel as air raid wardens, auxiliary police men, auxiliary firemen and other emergency tasks has been complet- ed. A year ago the War Council was in the midst of this work. Tn the protective division of the War Coun- cil an inventory of volunteer per- sonnel in the I'll local war councils shows that the state has more than 50,O00 active air raid wardens; more than 10000 auxiliary firemen and more than 5000 auxiliary police men.
 A thorough survey of emergency medical needs has been made and plans set up to provide for evacua- tion. disqualification and medical treatment for any disaster.
 "It took time to build this pro- tective machinery State War Ad- ministrator Harold F. Woodcock said. "Now that it is built our job is to maintain it in efficient work ing order as an insurance against the possibility of an attack from the enemy"
 In the past several months the air raid warning system has been simplified so that it is no longer necessary to keep personnel on duty at each of the I'll local control cen- ters and IA district warning centers on 24-hour basis. The placing of these centers on a telephone alert basis has relieved approximately 1O,- 900 volunteers for other wartime work.
 In addition to giving training to thousands of persons in techniques against possible enemy attack, the program of civilian defense in the state has had many interesting and important y-products. One of these has been an improvement of fire protection in rural communities be- cause of the recruitment and train- ing of auxiliary firemen who an- sWer fire alarms. Likewise local po- lice agencies have received much help from auxiliary policemen.
 As the war goes on economic and social problems arise in the state. A serious problem facing Connecticut today is the shortage. of anthracite coal. Area fuel offices have been set up by the State Fuel Admins tration in several communities to assist people in getting coal if they have less than weeks supply and cannot get any from their dealers. As of November 30 total of 69O2 calls were received at these offices and more than 5000 calls dispatch ed to dealers for assistance
 As the result of experience dur ing the fuel oil shortage last win ter when more than three million gallons of fuel oil and kerosene were shipped into the state in emergen- cy deliveries, complete plan for handling hardship cases has been evolved and is now functioning.
 One of the outstanding accom- plishments of the War Council dur ing the current year has been it's food program. A goal of 100000 war gardens in the state was set last January. When a survey was made during the growing season it was es- timated that there were more than 150, 900 war gardens. A campaign to encourage canning and preservation of home grown food was launched with the result that thousands of cans or jars of food have been pre- served by residents.
 An agricultural program was ini- tiated calling for the most efficient use possible of feed and grain upon farms. This policy was called to the attention of other New England states and is now receiving consid- eration by 10 northeastern states
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