Evening star., 1951-02-01

VerSlng the SltuatlOn, are trying
FondahI Urges Speed
On Civil Defense Plan
AT Meeting Of Leaders
Civil defense officials, District
Government personnel and men,
bers of the commissioners Citi-
zens Advisory Committee held
their first full-scale meeting in the
District Building yesterday to dis
cuss formal civil defense plan
for the city.
A rough draft of the proposed
plan, setting up the responsible
ties of the District Civil Defense
Department and its six operating
agencies, was read to the meeting
by Acting Civil Defense Director
John E. Fondahl.
Inspector Fondahl explained
that present conditions empha-
size the necessity for Immediately
increasing our efforts and speed
ing up our civil defense planning"
Although putting the plan into
operation would call for money
not presently available, much can
be done at this time in the way of
organization, recruiting and train
ing. he said.
The ultimate idea of civil de-
fense planning is to put into writ
ten form the duties and response
bilities of each member of an Or
ganization expected to number
eventually about 100000. Down
to the last volunteer, each men,
Der should know where he should
go and what he should do in case
OF emergency, officials feel.
Training Started.
Up to now, the functions of the
six field agencies have only been
generally described. These agen-
cies, under the supervision of
deputy directors, have, in most
cases. already started their organ
ization and training.
AS pointed out by Inspector Fon-
dahl, one of the greatest gaps in
the present setup is in the head
quarters staff. A permanent di-
rector has yet to be appointed and
his duties are being performed by
the acting director. Also still to
be named are three assistant di-
rectors for administration and per-
sonnel, plans and training and
fiscal and supply matters. Inspec-
tor Fondahl, at this point, is carry
ing the entire load himself.
The general duties of the six op-
Grating agencies were outlined as
follows:
1. The Medical and Health
Services-Built around the De-
partment of Health and headed
by DR.. Daniel L. Seckinger, the
service is responsible for organiz-
ing all medical personnel and
supplies within the District to
cope with disaster. Their duties
would include emergency care of
wounded, evacuation of casualties
supervision of food and sanitary
facilities to prevent the spread of
disease and maintenance of
normal medical facilities for nom
casualties.
2. The Engineer Services-Built
around the District Governments
Engineering Department and
headed by 1t. Col. Thomas j.
Hayes III, the service is respon-
sible for public utilities, trans
portation and afraid shelters,
training special crews for rescue
work and collecting information
on all construction resources in
the city.
$4,000 or More Wardens.
3. The Warden Service-Headed
by Max c. Schwartz, the service
will eventually require between
$4,000 and 10000 volunteers. They
will be assigned to their home
neighborhods on block basis and
will serve as a main connecting
link between the public and the
civil defense organization. In an
emergency, the wardens would be
trained and equipped to fight
small fires, give first aid, evaluate
damage and serve as litter bearers
for the medical service.
4. Police services-In case of an
attack, the police force would be
bolstered by some 5000 volunteer
deputies, whose recruitment and
training are already under way.
In addition to it's normal duties,
the department would be given
the job of organizing a central
registry services for the wounded,
dead and homeless, reported by
other services.
S. Fire services-The regular
fire-ighting organization of the
city is being beefed-up by recruit
ment and training of volunteers,
who would serve with the regular
cOmpanieS in time of emergency
In addition, the department will
train instructors for the warden
services in fire-f1ghting tech
niques.
6. The welfare services-Built
around the District Welfare De-
partment and headed by Gerard
M. Shea.