Evening star., 1951-01-23
Civil Defense
Aides Told How
To Recruit Staffs
Training Officers Get
Instructions at First
Organization Porley

About 40 training officers from
most Of the city's so proposed civil
defense areas last night received
preliminary instruction on how to
recruit necessary manpower.
This occurred at the first Or
ganizational meeting of the Train
ing Division Of the Districts War
den Services held at warden head
quarters. 1740 Massachusetts, ave-
nue. NV.
The training officers were told
how to recruit those who will be
trained to teach such classes as
messenger services. litter bearing.
poison gas, fire-guard work. home
nursing. first aid and other serv-
ices required during bomb attack.
Already under way are the
classes in home nursing and first
aid. The fire-guard class will be
launched with cooperation of the
District Fire Department. It will
be distinct from the departments
own organized volunteer reserves
of fire fighters.
Training Plan Disclosed.
William Armstrong, director Of
all phases of warden training, pre-
sided at the meeting. He ex-
planned the organizational plan for
training. It will consist of having
a training officer In each of the
six main divisions. He will super
wise training arrangements in each
of the divisions zones and areas.
Don A. Pratt. Al Galveston
street S.W., was sworn In last
might as the first divisional train
ing officer to be appointed. He is
a former Navy gunner's mate on
minesweepers and carriers. Now
he is an employe of the United
Publishing Co., TIT Sixth street
NV. Mr.. Pratt, who is a Red
Cross f1rst-aid instructor, will di-
rect training programs in Divi-
sion F. in Washington's Southeast
section.
Area training officers also were
sworn in en- masse by DR.. Isaac
N. Cupid of the warden service
public relations staff. The main
function of the training officers
will be to obtain teachers for the
classes in the various subjects, as
well as to recruit classes.
Early Start on Training.
Max Schwartz, chief of the
warden service. told those attend
ing they hold important spots in
the whole system and that they
must start a series Of training
Glasses at once. He said the
civilian public must bear the full
burden Of taking care Of itself"
during and after any raids, be-
cause the military services will
be busy with their own problems.
Mr.. Schwartz pointed out that
the warden services will incor-
porate special training against
panic, and he added that plans
are being drawn up now for q
corps of litter-bearers. He ex-
planned that the Eardens must be
trained in many duties they
might have to perform in the
event of sneak attack on the
District.
Another speaker was Mrs. DON
aid B. Doyle, 3041 Porter street
NV, who was in the British air
raid warden service during the
"blitz" period of World War II.
She is an American whose hus-
band was mining engineer in
London at the time.
First-Aid Recruits Asked.
Mrs. Lois H. Henderson, in
charge of the flrst-aid training
program, asked each training off,
Ger to obtain possible recruits for
f1rst-aid instruction classes. About
$50 to 400 now are available, but
the warden services need another
1000 persons as soon as they can
be trained by the Red Cross, she
explained.
Those who wish to take instruc-
tor courses are to register directly
at Walsh House, 2020 Massa-
chusetts avenue NV. However,
those who desire to receive the
standard f1rst-aid training course
should apply to the area warden
in their own residential section.
Instructors will be provided as
quickly as groups Of Is to IS are
lined up.