Produced in 1963, “Operations in Public Fallout Shelters” is a heavily dramatized Civil Defense film that demonstrates how a public fallout shelter is supposed to function after a nuclear attack. This scenario takes place in a fictional any town called “Middlebury”. The film describes the situation in a public shelter in Middlebury following an attack on the United States. Citizens have occupied the shelter, and communication efforts are underway. The shelter manager is absent, so a deputy takes over, despite feeling unqualified. As the temperature rises and fallout reaches the city, the deputy assigns roles and responsibilities. The shelter is stocked with basic supplies, and volunteers are organized to retrieve food for babies. The deputy addresses the occupants, explaining the situation and the need for cooperation, and sets up a daily schedule with tasks like feeding and health checks. Health and sanitation measures are established, including a nursery and a convalescent area. A commode is set up, and a schedule for routine functions is created. The deputy emphasizes hygiene and sanitation, scheduling inspections and training sessions. Bunking arrangements are discussed, with plans to rotate sleepers and use heavy paper as makeshift blankets. Information and training programs are organized, including religious talks, group discussions, and activities for children. The civil defense announcer informs that fallout has reached the city, urging occupants to stay inside. The deputy thanks volunteers, discusses meal times, and praises the shelter’s operations plan. The daily schedule is worked out, with specific times for inspections, training, and fire drills. The civil defense announcer warns that fallout is still dangerous, and the deputy plans to make shelter life more livable through training, recreation, and special activities.

0:16-0:31: The United States has been attacked, and citizens of Middlebury have occupied the town’s public shelter, number 126.

0:32-1:00: Communication and coordination efforts are underway within the shelter.

1:01-1:23: The shelter manager didn’t make it, and a deputy takes over, despite feeling unqualified.

1:24-2:02: The temperature is rising, and fallout has reached the western part of the city. The deputy assigns roles and responsibilities.

2:03-3:02: The shelter is stocked with basic supplies, and the deputy calls for volunteers to help with tasks like getting food for babies.

3:03-4:02: The deputy addresses the shelter occupants, explaining the situation and the need for cooperation. Volunteers are organized to retrieve milk from the cafeteria.

4:03-5:00: The deputy sets up a daily schedule and assigns tasks, including feeding and health checks.

5:01-6:01: Health and sanitation measures are established, including setting up a nursery and a convalescent area.

6:02-7:02: A commode is being set up in the furnace room, and a schedule for routine functions is created.

7:03-8:02: The deputy emphasizes the importance of hygiene and sanitation, scheduling inspections and training sessions.

8:03-9:02: Bunking arrangements are discussed, with a plan to rotate sleepers and use heavy paper as makeshift blankets.

9:03-10:02: Information and training programs are organized, including religious talks, group discussions, and activities for children.

10:03-11:02: The civil defense announcer informs that fallout has reached the city, and radiation levels are moderately high. Shelter occupants are urged to stay inside.

11:03-12:02: The deputy thanks the volunteers and discusses meal times, emphasizing the importance of the government-provided rations.

12:03-13:02: The shelter’s operations plan is praised for its effectiveness in getting initial operations going quickly.

13:03-14:02: The daily schedule is being worked out, with specific times for inspections, training, and fire drills.

14:03-15:02: The civil defense announcer warns that radioactive fallout is still dangerous, and no one should leave the shelter. The deputy plans to make shelter life more livable through training, recreation, and special activities.

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