The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter. [volume] (Manteo, N.C.) 1959-1973, 1961-10-06
CONGRESSMAN BONNER
REPORTS ON CIVIL DEFENSE

During recent weeks, particularly
since the Russians resumed thu
testing of nuclear devices, have
received many inquiries about oul
civil defense program.
Too little is known about it, and
up to this time civil defense pre-
paredness has been most difficult
to sell to the public. think the
reason for this is that we have NOT
been subjected to the horrors and
ravages of modern war in this
country
In q recent issue of one of the
papers of our State an Associated
Press article stated that out of a
survey of so states only 5 Cover
nors had shelters in their official
residences. There were "a without
any protection. / know of only 2
fallout shelters in the First Con-
gressional District. One is hall
that has been converted to shelter
in Ladies Home, and the other
is one that has been built for DEM
onstration purposes. Hardly any of
the many scientists who are work.
ing in the national atomic program
have shelters.
The evidence is extensive that
there is a conspicuous apathy to-
ward the home shelter program, as
well as other aspects of our civil
defense plans. / do hope that they
may have some idea of what to do
in case of an emergency.
This is not to say that I feel that
nuclear war is imminent. On the
contrary, it seems to me that the
known effects of nuclear conflict
between major powers is so terri
flying that no one would be willing
to risk the sure retaliation if such
a move were undertaken. In
other words, the very magni-
tude of the devastation
of nuclear warfare is its own great
est deterrent. Moreover, / can re-
call that the use of poison gas in
World War was such that human
ity revolted and agreed that gas
would never again be used in war
fare. It is notable that in neither
World War II, nor the Korean War,
nor the lesser conflicts which have
taken place since World War /, has
gas been used. Nuclear warfare,
vastly more devastating and inhum-
an than gas, does not therefore APP
pear to be in prospect. Nevertheless,
the tensions in the world today are
such that no one should overlook
the possibility of the irrational use
of these horrible new weapons.
Therefore, ! think that prudence re-
quires everyone to be prepared for
any eventuality.
Civil defense and defense mobili-
cation is the responsibility of every
citizen. The individual must be cap
able of caring for himself in an
emergency and contributing to the
organized community survival eff
fort. For civil defense prepared
ness, people must:
/. Be alert.
2. Know the warning signal if
there is one in the community.
3. Tune to AM radio to CONEL-
RAD frequency (640 or 1240)
for official directions.
A. Do not use the telephone.
5. Take cover Immediately. If you
cannot reach shelter, lie down
flat on the ground, face down.
6. Know where to get welfare
assistance.
2. Prepare fallout shelter.
8. Know First Aid.
8. Have 2-weeks supply of food
and water. The minimum daily
water requirement is VI gallon
per person. Water may be stor-
ed in jugs or jars or similar
containers with tight covers.
All shelters should contain
cooking and serving equipment,
fuel for warmth, clothing and
bedding, First Aid medical sup
plies, Bible, toys and games
for the children, etc.
Many questions have been asked
about who should have fallout
shelter. The answer is that fallout
shelter is needed by everyone and
is needed everywhere. Fallout from
one test explosion spread over 1000
square miles in the Pacific Ocean.
ihere are many types of shelters
that can be provided at a reason
able cost. Some are made Of con-
crete or brick; some Of earth or
enough to afford protection by abb
sand and some of materials heavy
sorbing radiation. The cheapest
known shelter is one that can be
constructed in your basement,
where the existing structure can be
strengthened and modified with the
greatest economy.
Fallout can threaten more people
than blasts and heat in nuclear
offosE W. AZ. >,<t x-,.,,f = x<~,.. W.