Emergency Planning is Important in Every Era

By: Suzy Dunning

If the data collected by FEMA is accurate, 2026 has already exceeded a five-year average of federally declared disasters. The uptick in natural disasters, wildfires, power outages, and violent storms may have some people preparing for the worst. It’s always a good idea to have a plan in case of emergency and be ready for whatever comes before disaster strikes. That idea is not a new one and for a generation of people who lived during the Cold War era, it’s one they remember well.

According to this handbook distributed by the Office of Civil Defense and Department of Defense, preparedness begins at home. The message to all Americans from the federal government was that families were expected to prepare themselves and their homes in civil defense. The most intense years of the cold war were centered around the 1950’s -60’s. It was during these years Americans were seeing national news on televisions in their own living rooms for the first time. Events like the Korean and Vietnam War, the space race, nuclear arms race and Cuban Missile Crisis were justifiable reasons to take civil defense seriously.

This week’s Historical Treasure, a pamphlet of “Home Protection Exercises” was reprinted in 1964 as an adult educational resource. It details instructions for eight different emergency scenarios including: Preparing a Survival Shelter, Home Fire Prevention and Home Firefighting, What to do if Someone is Trapped, Home Nursing, and more. Throughout the pamphlet it is emphasized to be sure all family members are well rehearsed in the emergency exercises. A complete list of recommended First Aid supplies and an emergency food supply are featured in the chapter on building your survival shelter. Although our own experience with Covid-19 taught us the importance of keeping a few extra rolls of toilet paper on hand (just in case), how many of us thought about collecting other essentials as well?  Stored water, soap, a bucket with a lid, and small hand tools are just a few examples of what the “Home Protection” booklet suggests.

Although threats of danger and disaster have changed from time to time, the point that making a solid plan and being prepared is just as important today as it ever was. From fallout shelters to emergency alerts, the times have changed, but the need to prepare at home has not. More than 60 years later, these pamphlets still ask us a very important question: Are you prepared?

Civil Defense preparedness booklet was given to families in the 1960’s.