 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Civil
Defense
|
|
|---|---|---|
 |
||
|
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor shattered America's belief in the inviolability of its shores In the Atlantic, German submarines lurked off the East Coast and, for a time, sank American transport vessels at twice the rate they could be replaced. Japanese submarines operated for a few years off the West Coast and shelled an oil refinery outside Santa Barbara, California, on February 24, 1942.
|
||
In Kansas City... |
||
|
Although with no immediate threat to the area, Kansas Citians recognized their responsibilities as citizens of a nation at war. On December 1, 1941, the Kansas City Council passed the ordnance creating the Department of Civil Defense. By January 1942, 13,000 were enrolled in various civil defense programs: Civil
Defense Corp
|
||
|
18-65 year olds were potential Protection Service volunteers Kansas City employed armed guards to the water works to prevent potential tampering. Anyone could be a messenger, participate in emergency feeding and housing or serve in the Transportation Corps. Air Raid Wardens, road repair crews, bomb squads, the Decontamination Corps and nurse's aides performed some Protective Services Yellow Cab donated 200 taxis CD for emergency ambulances and converted them to hold two victims on stretchers. Cabbies and Cabettes trained in first aid to be effective ambulance drivers.
|
||
|
Volunteers of a select group of physically fit men, 21-65, could be auxiliary police and firemen Volunteers would perch on rooftops, or be stationed in doorways to spot and extinguish fire caused by possible incendiary bombs. Some women served in this capacity. Police ultimately needed volunteers to supplant those who had left for war service. Training requirements were lowered, as the age limit was raised to embrace 50 and 60 year olds. |
||
|
The Communications Control Center, in collaboration with the Army's Air Raid Warning Service, installed sirens throughout the city. The Fire Department on loan from the government received portable fire pumps, cots, first aid, 495 rubber coats and 8480 steel helmets painted white. 32 buildings downtown were considered air raid shelters. During air raid drills Air Raid Wardens, wearing their metal hats and armbands could be seen on the darkened streets making sure lights were out and blackout curtains were drawn in every house. Only after radio alerts or sirens were sounded could they leave their posts and return home. There was a test black out on December 4, 1942 on the Country Club Plaza to prepare for the December 14, 1942 city and 9-state wide black out. The test was deemed successful by the Army. The city was bombarded on December 12, 1942 with paper streamers simulating bombs, another test for the Civil Defense Corps deemed successful. On Dec. 14, all the lights went out, cars and busses were halted between 10 and 10:20 at night. Kansas City was deemed perfect. At KU, whistles at waterworks, paper mill and KU power plant & Haskell sounded for 1 minutes to signal start. (Watkins) |
||
|
The threat is diminished... The Department of Civil Defense was discontinued in 1943 once the threat of an invasion of the U.S. was deemed unlikely. Nevertheless blackout restrictions continued and air raid alerts and drills were in effect for the warís duration. |
||