Milford chronicle., 1952-10-31
Col. Preston Lea Tells
Of Defense Plans


Col. D. Preston Lea, Civilian De-
fense Dire ctor of Delaware, speak
ing before the Sussex County Vol
unteer Firemen's Association meet
in IN Bethany Beach, Wednesday
night of this week, explained de-
tails of tho Radio-CommUnicatiOn
Network now being placed in serv-
ice in volunteer fire companies in
the state. He said that base equip
ment for New Castle County has
been installed in Newark on Tues
day of this week aud that Wednes-
day, installation was to be placed
in Leipsic in Kent County. The base
in Sussex County, by agreement,
Col Lea stated would be placed in
a State Police Headquarters in
Sussex.
The speaker discussed the match
ing fund appropriations for pur-
chase of fire company equipment.
This fund, available to volunteer
companies on a matching basis re-
quired, forms to be filed with the
State G. D. Office and thus far the
forms have been returned by only
a few companies. He pointed out
that as G. d. Director his request
for such funds must be made on
Nov. 1.
Emphasizing the Importance and
urgent need for Civilian Defense
Units in all local towns and COM
munities in the state, he urged all
possible public cooperation in the
completing of organizations in
every. community to place the state
on an organized defense basis. He
quoted Section No. 8, Of the Civil
ian Defense Act, passed in the last
session Of the Legislature, which
authorizes and directs" each town
and community to establish a local
CD organization and charges the
officials of each community with
responsibility Of appointing a Di-
rector to set up such CD Organza-
ttOns and also authorizes the town
officials to appropriate, raise and
expend funds to obtain equipment
necessary for Civilian Defense pur-
poses.
In order to present a clear pic
ture of the Civilian Defense set-up,
Col. Lee used charts which gave
comprehensive breakdown on Ma
tional, State and through, local lev
els in the several communities,
showing the duties Of each unit. He
stressed the importance of the du-
f1c not nr " Of rrDIe.nkoc-,
but Of every other unit in local De-
Tense organizations, particularly
Block Wardens and Ground Observ-
ers Corps and in the assembling
and maintenance of emergency
equipment and supplies in local
communities. He illustrated by di-
agram the potential destruction of
property, loss Of life and injuries
which would result from a bomb
ing attack on Washington, d. c.. or
Wilmington and pointed out the
necessary emergency measures
which would have to be placed in
effect should such an emergency
or bombing occur.
At the close Of the talk Col. Lea
answered questions from the floor
and participated in discussion on
questions submitted. Ellis Kyttle,
Of Laurel, a member of the State
Civil Defense Council, was in
charge Of the program and intro
duced the speaker.
Elmer DoOd of Rehoboth, presi-
cent of the organization, presided
Due to delay in receipt of Fire
Prevention Essays from local COM
panies, Charles Marvel, of Seaford,
chairman of the Essay Contest, an
nOunced the deadline has been ex-
tended to Nov. 10 and urged all
companies to get their local essays
in for judging. by that time in order
that the winning essay in the coun-
tv could be entered in the State
VIA Contest, the deadIine for
which is November Is. Awards for
the Sussex County winners will be
made in the November meeting
which will be held in, Laurel, the