Atomic Age Civil defense

civil defense literature such fallout protection common during cold war era.

in of states of north atlantic treaty organization, such united states, united kingdom , west germany, soviet bloc, , in neutral countries, such switzerland , in sweden during 1950s , 1960s, many civil defense practices took place prepare aftermath of nuclear war, seemed quite @ time.

in united kingdom, civil defence service disbanded in 1945, followed arp in 1946. onset of growing tensions between east , west, service revived in 1949 civil defence corps. civilian volunteer organisation, tasked take control in aftermath of major national emergency, principally envisaged being cold war nuclear attack. although under authority of home office, centralised administrative establishment, corps administered locally corps authorities. in general every county corps authority, county boroughs in england , wales , large burghs in scotland.

each division divided several sections, including headquarters, intelligence , operations, scientific , reconnaissance, warden & rescue, ambulance , first aid , welfare.

in 1954 coventry city council caused international controversy when announced plans disband civil defence committee because councillors had decided hydrogen bombs meant there no recovery nuclear attack. british government opposed such move , held provocative civil defence exercise on streets of coventry labour council members protested against. government decided implement own committee @ city s cost until council reinstituted committee.

in united states, sheer power of nuclear weapons , perceived likelihood of such attack precipitated greater response had yet been required of civil defense. civil defense, considered important , commonsense step, became divisive , controversial in charged atmosphere of cold war. in 1950, national security resources board created 162-page document outlining model civil defense structure u.s. called blue book civil defense professionals in reference solid blue cover, template legislation , organization next 40 years.

civil defense literature such survival under atomic attack common during cold war era.

perhaps memorable aspect of cold war civil defense effort educational effort made or promoted government. in duck , cover, bert turtle advocated children duck , cover when see flash. booklets such survival under atomic attack, fallout protection , nuclear war survival skills commonplace. transcribed radio program stars defense combined hit music civil defense advice. government institutes created public service announcements including children s songs , distributed them radio stations educate public in case of nuclear attack.

the united states , soviet union/russia nuclear stockpiles, in total number of nuclear bombs/warheads in existence throughout cold war , post-cold war era. however, total deployed & russian strategic weapons (ready use) far less this, reaching maximum of 10,000 apiece in 1980s.

the president kennedy (1961–63) launched ambitious effort install fallout shelters throughout united states. these shelters not protect against blast , heat effects of nuclear weapons, provide protection against radiation effects last weeks , affect areas distant nuclear explosion. in order of these preparations effective, there had degree of warning. in 1951, conelrad (control of electromagnetic radiation) established. under system, few primary stations alerted of emergency , broadcast alert. broadcast stations throughout country listening upstream station , repeat message, passing station station.

in once classified war game analysis, looking @ varying levels of war escalation, warning , pre-emptive attacks in late 1950s 1960s, estimated approximately 27 million citizens have been saved civil defense education. @ time, however, cost of full-scale civil defense program regarded less effective in cost-benefit analysis ballistic missile defense (nike zeus) system, , soviet adversary increasing nuclear stockpile, efficacy of both follow diminishing returns trend.

contrary largely noncommittal approach taken in nato, stops , starts in civil defense depending on whims of each newly elected government, military strategy in comparatively more ideologically consistent ussr held that, amongst other things, winnable nuclear war possible. effect soviets planned minimize, far possible, effects of nuclear weapon strikes on territory, , therefore spent considerably more thought on civil defense preparations in u.s., defense plans have been assessed far more effective in u.s.

soviet civil defense troops played main role in massive disaster relief operation following 1986 chernobyl nuclear accident. defense troop reservists officially mobilized (as in case of war) throughout ussr join chernobyl task force , formed on basis of kiev civil defense brigade. task force performed high-risk tasks including, failure of robotic machinery, manual removal of highly-radioactive debris. many of personnel later decorated medals work @ containing release of radiation environment, number of 56 deaths accident being civil defense troops.