Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-08-22
Agreement Outlines
Responsibilities Of
D. {. Relief Agencies

Division of responsibility between
the Government and the Red Cross
for care of possible catastrophe VIC
time here during war or peace at
last has been reduced to specific
agreements between the Red Cross
and the District Civilian Defense
Department, officials announced last
night.
The agreements provide close CO.
operation between the District and
Federal Governments and the Red
Cross. Those signing were Capt. H.
c. Whitehurst, director of the Dis
trict Civilian Defense Department;
John Clifford Folger, chairman of
the District Chapter of Red Cross,
and Charles c. Koones, chairman of
the Disaster Preparedness and Re-
lief Committee of the District Red
Cross.
Red Cross Handles Natural Disasters.
The American Red Cross, the
agreement states, is the agency re-
sponsible for extending relief in
natural disasters and those caused
by accident, fire or explosion,
whether they occur in peace or war.
This includes disasters caused by
hurricanes, tornadoes, windstorms,
floods, fires, explosions, railroad
wrecks and epidemics. AS was Gus
tomary in the past. the local Red
Cross Is to be assisted by appro-
pirate Government agencies and IA
cilities.
The Federal Government, it was
stated, has the basic" responsible
ity for the protection, welfare and
care of civilian population in emer-
gencies resulting from enemy ac-
ton.
The District Department Of Civil
ian Defense has the responsibility
"for all services required in event
OF bombing or other enemy attack"
Will Cooperate.
The Red Cross, in cooperation
with the commander of the District
Citizens Defense Corps Capt.
Whitehurs3, agrees to furnish food,
clothing and temporary shelter on
a massacre basis, with the assist
ance Of the District Emergency Med
teal Service, and to provide casualty
information service, under certain
cooperative arrangements.
Details of the plan, which were
regarded by District officials as a
big step forward, include the follow
ing:
During the first phase" of an
emergency-such as a possible enemy
attack, the Emergency Food and
Housing Services Of the District
Civilian Defense organization will
provide housing and food for VIC
Tins, but as soon as Red Cross shell
tiers can be put into operation-not
later than the evening following the
day Of enemy action-the Red Cross
is to use its facilities to provide food,
clothing and shelter for the tenn
porary care of the uninjured victims.
Permanent care becomes a Govern
ment matter.
Duties Outlined.
The Emergency Medical Service
Of the Districts civilian defense
setup is responsible for medical care
of the injured with the Red Cross
assisting by recruiting and training
volunteer nurses aides; providing
first aid trained personnel, providing
dressing and bandages, equipping
and operating ambulances, providing
supplementary transportation for
the ambulantory victims, providing
casualty shock feeding teams and
trained volunteer dietician aides.
Also, the Red Cross has agreed to
staff and supervise centers for cas-
ualty information service and to
handle all out-of-town inquiries and
replies.
When emergency conditions no
longer require group care, the Red
Cross will extend aid to the Civilian
War Assistance units of the District
government setup and as soon as
family needs thus are met these
families will become the entire re-
sponsibility Of the CWA and will be
taken of the Red Cross mass care
list.
Red Cross to Supply Clothing.
The Red Cross will provide the
District Evacuation Authority, II
necessary, with food and clothing
at assembly centers" and provide
canteen service within limited areas
on the route Of evacuation conveys
and at reception centers."
All agencies of the Red Cross, In
GLIDING subcommittee on survey,
marine rescue, land rescue and pub
lie information and others, are to
be put at the disposal of District
officials upon request, when needed.
The American Red Cross is to be
responsible for all financial COM
mitments made by 1t in carrying
out its responsibility as outlined in
this agreement.