The Key West Citizen

Operation Homefront Is Set For Civil Defense Activity

By directive of the Federal Civil Defense Administration and the Florida State Administration a new Civil Defense activity, designated as "Operation Homefront" has been scheduled nationwide. It is being first instituted in the seven Southeastern states which constitute region III of the Federal Civil Defense Administration.

"Operation Homefront" has been planned by the Women's Activities Division of FCDA Region III. They have designated November 6 - 12 as "Operation Homefront Week."

Civil Defense, basically, is a common sense plan for family survival, not only for war emergencies but for natural disasters such as hurricanes and fires which will be of particular interest to the families of Key West. Consequently Civil Defense in the home and "Operation Homefront" is designed to create a lasting public awareness of the necessity of family preparedness against emergencies or disasters.

The purpose of "Operation Homefront" is to accomplish three principal objectives in the home:

1. To create and maintain a seven day family emergency food supply.

2. To create and maintain a family First Aid Kit.

3. Keep a minimum of half tank of gasoline in the family car at all times.

This campaign also introduces the new policy of the local Civil Defense Council and the State, to obtain interest and active participation of women in Civil Defense.

It is to be pointed out that while this may be a new policy for modern Civil Defense, it is actually the resurrection of the first principles of Civil Defense in the United States, when our pioneer women poured bullets, loaded guns, attended the wounded and put out fires started in settlements and camps during Indian attacks when this Country was being colonized and the West opened to civilization.

Consequently it was this new policy and "Operation Homefront" which were presented to leading women of the Community at their meeting last Thursday with the local Civil Defense Council. Next meeting will be held Tuesday, October 25, when every man and woman in the Community who is interested in the survival of himself and his family is urged to attend this meeting.