Civil defense facts for kids
Civil defense (also called civil protection) is all about keeping people safe from big dangers. These dangers can be things like natural disasters (earthquakes, floods) or human-made events (like wars or accidents). It's about planning ahead to prevent problems, reduce their harm, get ready for them, respond when they happen, and help everyone recover afterwards.
Ideas for civil defense started in the 1920s. They became more common in the 1930s as countries worried about war and bombs falling from the sky. After nuclear weapons were invented, civil defense became even more important.
Since the Cold War ended, civil defense has changed. Now, it focuses less on military attacks and more on all kinds of emergencies. You might hear new terms like crisis management or emergency management which mean similar things. Some countries see civil defense as a key part of their overall defense. This means using many national resources to protect civilian life.
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A Look Back: How Civil Defense Started
Early Days in the United Kingdom
Civil defense really began during the First World War. This was when bombs started falling on cities and hurting regular people. German zeppelins first bombed the UK in 1915, killing six people. Later, German Gotha bombers caused even more damage.
After the war, people realized they needed to protect civilians from air raids. So, in 1924, the Air Raid Precautions Committee (ARP) was formed. They studied how to keep people safe from bombs.
The ARP estimated that a bombing attack on London could cause thousands of injuries and deaths. They worried about "total chaos and panic" as people tried to flee. To control this, some suggested strict measures, like putting London under military control.
In 1935, a special government group called the Civil Defence Service was created. It included the ARP, wardens, firefighters, and first aid teams. Over 1.9 million people joined the Civil Defence Service. Sadly, nearly 2,400 of them died during enemy attacks.
Local governments were in charge of organizing civil defense. Volunteers joined different units based on their skills. Wardens were important local leaders. They reported what was happening, guided the public, and helped survivors find food and shelter.
Rescue Parties searched bombed buildings for injured or dead people. They also turned off gas, electricity, and water, and fixed unsafe buildings. Medical teams gave first aid on the spot.
'Report and Control' teams handled all the information during an attack. A local headquarters would direct rescue and first aid teams to bombed areas. If local help wasn't enough, they could ask for help from nearby towns.
Fire Guards watched for incendiary bombs (bombs that start fires). They reported fires and could put out small ones with sand or water. 'Gas Decontamination Teams' wore special suits to clean up areas hit by gas attacks.
Building air-raid shelters was a challenge. People needed to go underground for shelter, but also stay above ground to avoid gas attacks. During the Munich crisis, local groups dug trenches for shelter. Later, the British government made these permanent. They also gave out Anderson shelters for free to poorer families.
During the Second World War, the ARP gave out gas masks and shelters like the Anderson and Morrison shelters. They also kept public shelters ready and enforced the blackout (turning off lights at night). ARP members helped rescue people after air raids. Some women became ambulance attendants, giving first aid and recovering bodies.
Germany's air attacks during the war were not as effective as expected. British air defenses, early warning radar, and civil defense units helped save many lives. The "Blitz" (heavy bombing of Britain) did not break the spirit of the British people.
Civil Defense in the United States
In the United States, the Office of Civilian Defense was set up in 1941. It helped organize civilian defense efforts, similar to Britain's ARP. One group that still exists today is the Civil Air Patrol. It started in 1941 to help with search and rescue. The Civil Air Patrol even helped sink two enemy submarines! After the war, it focused on search and rescue for planes.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary also helps the U.S. Coast Guard. It started before World War II. After the war, it focused on boating safety, search and rescue, and protecting the marine environment.
From 1951 to 1994, the U.S. had a federal civil defense program. It later changed to focus on "all-hazards" (all types of dangers). The term "Emergency Preparedness" became more common.
After World War II
After World War II, the Cold War began. Countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union prepared for a possible nuclear war. Many civil defense drills and practices took place.
In the United Kingdom, the Civil Defence Service was restarted in 1949 as the Civil Defence Corps. This volunteer group was meant to help after a major national emergency, especially a nuclear attack. It was run by local authorities.
Each part of the Corps had different sections, like Headquarters, Intelligence, Scientific, Warden & Rescue, Ambulance, and Welfare.
In 1954, the city of Coventry tried to disband its Civil Defence committee. They believed hydrogen bombs were so powerful that recovery from an attack would be impossible. The British government disagreed and held a civil defense exercise in Coventry to show their opposition.
In the United States, the power of nuclear weapons led to a huge civil defense effort. In 1950, a plan called the "Blue Book" was created. It guided civil defense for the next 40 years.
A famous part of the Cold War civil defense was the educational effort. The cartoon Duck and Cover taught children to "duck and cover" if they saw a nuclear flash. Booklets like Survival Under Atomic Attack and Fallout Protection were also common. Radio programs shared civil defense advice.
President John F. Kennedy (1961–63) pushed for building fallout shelters across the U.S. These shelters would protect against radiation, which could last for weeks. To give warning, the CONELRAD system was set up in 1951. Radio stations would broadcast alerts, passing the message from one station to another.
Some studies in the U.S. estimated that civil defense education could save millions of lives in a nuclear war. However, a full civil defense program was very expensive.
The Soviet Union (now Russia) took civil defense very seriously. They believed a nuclear war could be won and planned to reduce its effects. Their civil defense plans were thought to be more effective than those in the U.S.
Soviet Civil Defense Troops played a big role after the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986. They were called in like during a war to help clean up. They did dangerous tasks, like removing highly radioactive debris. Many were honored for their work, and some died from the radiation.
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In Western countries, strong civil defense policies were not always fully put in place. Some felt it went against the idea of "mutual assured destruction" (MAD), which meant no one would survive a nuclear war. Also, a full defense was very costly. Many people felt civil defense efforts wouldn't work against powerful nuclear weapons.
The Civil Defence Corps in Great Britain was stopped in 1968 due to money problems. But nearby places like the Isle of Man Civil Defence Corps and Civil Defence Ireland continued their programs.
In the United States, different civil defense agencies were replaced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 1979. In 2002, FEMA became part of the Department of Homeland Security. The focus shifted from nuclear war to an "all-hazards" approach. This means preparing for all kinds of dangers, like natural disasters and terrorism.
Civil Defense Today
Many countries still have national Civil Defence Corps. These groups help with large emergencies like floods, earthquakes, or other major disasters.
After the September 11 attacks in 2001, the U.S. revisited civil defense under the name homeland security. It now focuses on all types of emergencies.
In Europe, the triangle CD logo is still widely used. It was created in 1939 and used during World War II and the Cold War. In the U.S., the old triangle logo was replaced in 2006 with a new "EM" (for emergency management) logo. However, some places like Hawaii and Guam still use the old CD logo.
The term "civil protection" is common in the European Union. It refers to government systems that protect people from natural and technological disasters. There's a growing focus on preparing for technological disasters caused by terrorist attacks.
In Australia, civil defense is handled by the volunteer-based State Emergency Service. In many former Soviet countries, like Russia, it's managed by government ministries like the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
Why Civil Defense Matters
Even small investments in preparing for disasters can help countries recover much faster. This can prevent many deaths from hunger, cold, and disease. Experts say that a country's people are its most valuable asset. People rebuild a country after destruction, so protecting them is very important for a country's future.
Also, it helps people feel more in control when they are prepared for uncertain times.
In the United States, the federal civil defense program existed from 1951 to 1994. Parts of it were later included in the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The term "Emergency Preparedness" replaced "Civil Defence" in the law.
President Jimmy Carter started a "Crisis Relocation Program." This plan involved moving people out of cities during a crisis. However, President Ronald Reagan later stopped this plan.
Understanding Threats
Civil defense looks at different threats to civilians. These include NBC (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical) threats, or the newer term CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear). Studying each threat helps in planning how to protect people.
- Conventional Threats: These are from regular explosives. A shelter built only for radiation would not protect well from these.
- Nuclear Threats: The biggest dangers from a nuclear attack are the blast, fires, and radiation. Shelters for nuclear blasts need thick concrete. Switzerland is very prepared for nuclear attacks. Almost every building there has a shelter, and many people use them to store valuables. Switzerland also has air-raid sirens in every village.
- Dirty Bomb Threats: A "dirty bomb" uses explosives to spread radioactive material. This is a possible risk, but such weapons haven't been used by terrorists. The main danger might be fear, but toxic effects can be handled with special equipment.
- Biological Threats: These come from disease-causing germs like bacteria and viruses.
- Chemical Threats: These involve dangerous chemicals like nerve gas (e.g., VX or Sarin).
Steps in Civil Defense
Reducing Harm (Mitigation)
Mitigation means actively working to prevent wars or the use of dangerous weapons. This includes diplomacy (countries talking to each other), political actions, and getting rid of nuclear weapons. It also includes military defenses like missile defense systems. For fighting terrorism, mitigation involves intelligence gathering and direct action against terrorist groups. Long-term planning, like designing highways or placing military bases away from cities, also helps reduce harm.
Getting Ready (Preparation)
Preparation involves building shelters and getting supplies and emergency systems ready. Many large cities have underground emergency centers to help coordinate civil defense. FEMA also has underground facilities for this purpose.
Other preparations include keeping track of food supplies, having a national stockpile of important goods, and storing oil. It also means having mobile bridges, water purification systems, and mobile decontamination units. Temporary housing can also help people recover faster.
For individuals, one way to prepare for nuclear fallout is to have potassium iodide (KI) tablets. These protect the thyroid gland from dangerous radioactive iodine. Covering your nose, mouth, and eyes can also help protect against certain radioactive particles.
Preparation also means sharing information:
- Helping to inform the public so people can protect themselves.
- Collecting and sharing important emergency information.
- Sharing details about national civil protection resources, including military and medical help.
- Making sure different authorities share information effectively.
Bouncing Back (Recovery)
Recovery is about rebuilding damaged buildings, roads, and factories. This phase is the longest and often the most expensive. After the immediate crisis, recovery efforts can sometimes become political.
Planning for recovery ahead of time is very helpful. If resources are spread out before an attack, it can prevent bigger problems. For example, if a city has tourist ferries on a river, they can help transport people if a bridge is damaged.
Civil Defense Groups Around the World
"Civil Defense" is also the name of many organizations worldwide. They protect civilians from military attacks and provide rescue services after natural and human-made disasters.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) helps manage protection efforts globally.
In some countries, like Jordan and Singapore (see Singapore Civil Defence Force), civil defense is the same as the fire brigade. But in most countries, civil defense is a government-run, volunteer-staffed group, separate from firefighters and ambulance services.
As the Cold War ended, some civil defense groups were closed or changed. For example, the Royal Observer Corps in the United Kingdom was stopped. Others, like the State Emergency Service in Australia, now focus on natural disasters. However, the ideas of Civil Defense have returned in the United States through FEMA's Citizen Corps and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
In the United Kingdom, emergency responders handle civil defense work under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. Volunteer groups like RAYNET and Search and Rescue teams also help. In Ireland, the Civil Defence is still very active. They help with things like flash flooding and provide extra firefighters and medical responders.
By Country
See also
In Spanish: Protección civil para niños
- Blast shelter
- Civil defense siren
- Emergency management
- Fallout shelter
- International Civil Defence Organization
- Nuclear warfare
- Survivalism
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