The Frontiersman

CD Program Well Organized in Valley

That the Valley is well under way to having an efficient and effective Civil Defense organization was illustrated at the CD town meeting held in the school gymnasium January 19.

Chairman of the many phases in the operation of a Civil Defense organization were introduced to the audience by local CD Director Edward Imme and Ea Fortier, Third Division CD Coordinator.

Among those introduced were:

FIRE SERVICE: Headed by City Fire Chief Ray Lancaster who announced the unit could use about 15 or 20 additional men. Anyone interested in volunteering his services to this unit is asked to contact Lancaster.

WELFARE SERVICE: Chairman Lucille Mick spoke briefly on the extensive work this committee would handle. Feeding, lodging, rehabilitation, registering and the keeping of records are among their responsibilities. Assisting Mrs. Mick and Mrs. Thelma Cope, food service chief; Mrs. Katherine Wilson, clothing and Jim Hurley, finances. Anyone with experience in keeping records who would like to volunteer his or her services is asked to contact Mrs. Mick.

COMMUNICATION SERVICE: John Weisenberger is chairman of this unit and told of courier service being planned in the event the telephone system should go out. Local Boy Scouts are being used in this service and are receiving training. he said. "We must plan to improvise with what we have." he said in announcing that all radio facilities in the Valley would be utilized in the event of an emergency. The committee is looking for a "ham" operator in the Valley. Anyone who has this training is asked to contact Weisenberger.

ENGINEERING SERVICE: With his knowledge of the location of water lines, where heavy equipment may be obtained, etc., Richard Demming. chairman is formulating plans for the engineering unit of the local Civil Defense. He announced that the Alaska Road Commission has offered all help possible

HEALTH SERVICE: Dr. C. C. Bailey as chairman of this unit announced the committee has drawn a map locating the homes of the three doctors and 28 nurses in the Valley to facilitate immediate contact in the event of an emergency. "If we had a real emergency, the local hospital would be completely inadequate,' he said. However, he added, a community location for an emergency hospital has been selected and would be utilized if necessary.

TRANSPORTATION: Although the committee chairman was unable to attend the meeting, Director Imme announced that school buses, cars, trucks etc. would be used in an emergency. He asked that anyone who wished to volunteer his services as driver or the use of his vehicle, contact the committee.

POLICE SERVICE: Under the direction of City Police Chief Bernard Bouwens, policing in the city would be conducted by American Legion volunteers.

WARDEN SERVICE: Art Stacy as Chief of Wardens announced he has approximately 40 wardens, covering every neighborhood in the city. These wardens will familiarize themselves with residents in their areas.

Director Imme also introduced other workers who were present including Lew Hanks, an assistant director: Edna Wehking, secretary and Max Sherrod, first aid man.

Many pamphlets were distributed during the evening including one giving directions for making home kits for first aid. The Civil Defense film, "Texas City Oil Disaster" was shown with all its impact of what trained workers can do in an emergency such as the explosion and fires in Texas April 16, 1947.

"Civil Defense is useful, not only in time of war, but in any grave emergency," Fortier pointed out. Palmer would be the first area called on if there was a large scale emergency in Anchorage, he added.

Director Imme told the group he hoped all the time and work will never be needed, but with the evidence of preparedness shown by his selected staff, Palmer appears well on it's way to be ready for any emergency that might arise.