“Training the Population in Civil Defense (Reel 1)” (1979) is a black-and-white training film commissioned by the Civil Defense Division of the Central Committee of the Communist Party (CCCP) that outlines the CCCP’s procedure for training the public in safety and rescue measures in case of a nuclear attack. Across the USSR, the CCCP instituted a mandatory training program to ensure that the public had the same minimum of knowledge on protection against weapons of mass destruction.

Civil defense was the system of measures to protect people and material assets in the USSR in the case of hostile attacks and ecological or technological disasters, in addition to how to prepare for such scenarios. These preparatory measures included sheltering, evacuation, and first aid.

Film opens, CCCP message (0:10). Title, opening credits (0:22). Aerial view of Khrushchevkas, type of low-cost three- to five-storied apartment building blocks in USSR built c. 1960, in nondescript city (0:51). Sign in Russian denoting a machine building plant; Plant workers walking around what is likely subsidized housing complex (0:59). Part 1: Organization and Methods of Training (1:09). Sign in Russian for Civil Defense training center (1:15). Camera pans interior of training classroom, walls lined with various pictorial training diagrams (1:18). Classroom of adult male students, lecturer plays training film on television (1:44). Practical training course: Students led through underground escape tunnel network, helped out of hatch above ground (2:00). Alarm rings throughout industrial factory, view of workers on assembly line pausing work and shutting down machines before leaving facility (2:18). Plant workers run towards bunker (2:34). Use of visual aids in the classroom: Lecturer stands at front of room of young adult students, mannequins modeling different safety equipment like Pdf-Sh small child’s gas mask, gp-5 gas mask (2:44). Students model chemical protection suits and gas masks, instructor times how long it takes them to put on the mask (2:52). Children practice putting on ​​Pdf-Sh small child’s gas mask (3:05). Another group of school children put simpler model of respirator mask on in classroom (3:12). 2nd-5th grade classrooms evacuating school building during practice drill; School teachers assist students in putting on masks, jackets before escorting them to underground fall out shelter (3:28). At training camp teenagers participate in “Zarnitsa” (game played by millions of Soviet children, completely imitated real military drills with maneuvers, reconnaissance missions), program overseen by military officials; Practice using Geiger counters, first aid techniques like applying balms to skin, bandages (3:52). Other students at vocational schools study civil defense techniques: Girls trained by nurse in first aid (4:50). Camera pans university classroom, students trained in duties of command and control of non-paramilitary forces (5:02). Mothers and older women mobilized, man demonstrates life-saving techniques on baby doll on outdoor playground; Small children seen playing on jungle gym equipment in background (5:18). Mothers practice putting on Pdf-Sh small child’s gas mask on children (5:46). Woman teaches mothers how to sew fabric protective face masks using cardboard pattern (5:55). Sign in Russian denoting Civil Defense Training City: Peasants and factory workers participate in non-military training course, seen completing agility test and obstacle course i.e. running through burning structures, rescuing wounded, quickly climbing ladders (6:18). Close-up of Geiger counter (7:07). Women seen practicing applying first aid techniques to volunteers, apply splint to leg (7:13). Training of agricultural workers in protecting farms, animals: Place tarps, protective sheets on windows and walls; Spray down horse (7:35). Training of management and command personnel: Training of managing formation and dispatches in various conditions (8:00). GAZ-24 car drives ahead of UAZ-452 on desolate road; Animation of map corresponds with location of vehicles indicating different conditions they encounter on route to disaster area (8:17). Exterior and interior shot of industrial factory (9:00). Film ends (9:08).

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com