“Civil Defense In School – BW”, Circa 56? 61?, “Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization Presents”,

Produced in 1958 by the Office of Civil Defense and Mobilization and Norwood Studios, “Civil Defense in Schools” outlines the comprehensive civil defense program developed for schools to protect children from nuclear attacks. It emphasizes the importance of safety measures and the need for a detailed plan involving immediate survival needs and curriculum integration. The program, presented by the superintendent and approved by the school board, includes building dual-purpose fallout shelters, developing evacuation plans, and establishing reliable warning systems. Principals and staff are assigned specific roles, and regular drills are conducted to ensure preparedness. The curriculum incorporates civil defense education at all levels, and home preparedness is also stressed. The goal is to ensure schools and families are well-prepared to handle any disaster, particularly in the atomic age.

00:00: The threat of disaster is never pleasant. .Safety measures are essential, but today we face a new form of disaster in the atomic age. 1:28: Protecting children from nuclear attacks must be a basic goal of every educational program, achievable through a comprehensive civil defense program in schools. 2:20: Protection from nuclear attack is possible, and local conditions will dictate the actions. A general concept for school systems to follow. The superintendent presents the program to the school board, developed with the cooperation of the city civil defense director. 3:15: The program consists of two main parts: immediate survival needs and a curriculum program to include civil defense in courses of study. The school board approves the proposal to expand the school protection program. 4:16: The superintendent meets with staff and principals to explain the new directive and make specific assignments for detailed planning. The civil defense director explains how schools fit into the total community survival plan. 5:18: Principals are responsible for developing and executing protection and curriculum programs in their schools. The safety supervisor is appointed as the civil defense coordinator. The school superintendent and architect engineer plan for dual-purpose fallout shelters in new school constructions. 6:27: Existing school buildings are surveyed for shelter use or conversion. Dual-purpose shelter classrooms are built underground to save playground space. 7:06: Alternate evacuation plans are developed for schools in target areas. 7:38: The school superintendent ensures evacuation plans are coordinated with community plans. 8:49: An adequate internal warning system for schools is developed to supplement existing civil defense warning facilities. The community has a good outdoor warning system with sirens covering the entire area. 9:32: An indoor warning system is needed to supplement outdoor signals. Schools receive the warning signal, and the principal gives directions to staff and students. 10:35: Civil defense warning signals in schools must be clearly distinguishable from other alarms. Teachers play a crucial role in conducting shelter drills, helping students gain confidence in security arrangements. Schools must hold periodic drills to ensure immediate response to warning signals. 12:28: An adequate school fallout shelter should sustain students and staff for at least two weeks. 14:02: An area within the shelter should be available for physical activities and play. Civil defense is introduced into the curriculum at all levels. 14:43-15:03: Fifth-grade students make posters on home preparedness. Preparedness becomes a personal responsibility. 15:46: The curriculum aims to prepare students for living in the nuclear age. First aid courses are taught as part of the physical education program. 16:37: Tenth-grade students learn about preparing food for large groups. Civil defense concepts evolve naturally from existing subject matter. 17:49: 12th grade physics students study the effects of radioactive fallout. Radiological defense kits are distributed. 18:55: Civil defense in homes. How to prepare a family fallout shelter. Families should prepare an evacuation kit for their automobile. 20:31: The family fallout shelter model is recommended by the office of civil and defense mobilization.Protecting families at home and in schools is essential for community survival programs. 21:07: Shelter program is developed under the supervision of the architect engineer. 21:55: Entire school system is provided with a reliable warning system. 22:15: Schools carry out directives and refine programs through regular drills and exercises. The curriculum is modified to incorporate civil defense and survival techniques.

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