U.S. Civil Defense in Action
Federal Civil Defense Administration
1953
1953
Beginning in 1952, the Truman
Administration sponsored the first nationwide civil defense promotion, a traveling convoy heralded as
Alert America. Consisting primarily of elaborate displays packaged into semi-truck
trailers, civil defense officials toured a number of states to lecture and provide emergency preparedness workshops while encouraging
citizens to volunteer. In addition to the convoy, Alert America was heavily promoted through civil defense drills, radio broadcasts, television programs, and a graphic poster series. Released in the midst of this campaign, U.S. Civil Defense in Action highlights the government's steps towards managing the atomic threat. The message of Alert America is framed nicely in the film's introductory scenes. According to the opening narration, there is an apathy towards preparedness due to the overriding belief that no one will survive the next enemy attack. Not only will there be survivors, but with the proper education now being provided, the population can rise and evolve "from those who need help, to those can help!"
One of the more fascinating aspects
of U.S. Civil Defense in Action is the way it promotes film as a vital
instrument in public education. The camera provides close ups of a number of 16mm prints including Fire Fighting for
Householders, What
You Should Know About Biological Warfare, Survival Under Atomic Attack,
Our Cities Must
Fight, and Duck and Cover. These productions, all based
off widely distributed pamphlets, represent the first public films sponsored by
the federal government concerning civil defense. Radio programs, too, are commended as a popular medium for spreading preparedness information. During the Cold War, many radio dramas would be scripted to included civil defense messages, often blending humor and excitement with the terror of an atomic attack. The burgeoning field of television was similarly utilized and promotional clips of the 1952 film School for Survival, which was specially edited for
television broadcasts, are also shown. By highlighting these resources,
U.S. Civil Defense in Action appears to be reminding the public that they need
not look far to find government sponsored advice on the topic of atomic
survival. As the 1950's progressed, Alert America promotions were replaced by annual Operation Alert exercises. Similarly, U.S. Civil Defense in Action, along with most of the films featured in it, would be declared obsolete. In 1957, citing changing methods of warfare and protection, the Federal Civil Defense Administration recalled all copies of the film.