The Emeryville Civil Defense Program
The Cold War had its origins in the late 1940s, during the post-World War II period, when atomic warfare seemed inevitable. In 1949, the United States and Western European countries formed a defensive alliance, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, to contain Soviet imperialism. On September 24, 1949, the Russians exploded their first atomic bomb. Nine months later in June 1950, the United States became involved in the Korean War. President Truman, in response to the threat of war with the Soviet Union, made plans to defend the home front against nuclear attack.
States and local governments were expected to participate in the Civil Defense program organized by the Federal Civil Defense Administration. In December 1950, Emeryville started its civil defense program based on standards developed by the U.S. government. The program was designed to organize manpower and equipment for a nuclear attack or other major disaster. Mayor Al Lacoste became the chief executive of the Emeryville disaster council, and Otis Wilson, Superintendent of Schools, was appointed Director of Civil Defense. “Expert personnel” were appointed to direct services for rescue, welfare, fire, police, plant protection, and public works.
The Civil Defense Program divided Emeryville into seven districts of equal population, each with a district warden. The individual wardens inspected every house in their district to make sure every household conformed to the civil defense program. Homeowners were encouraged to build emergency bomb shelters so they would have protection in the event of atomic attack. According to civil defense manuals, the bomb shelters were to contain first aid supplies, canned food, drinking water, a shovel, rope, garden hose, ax, flashlight, rubber overshoes, a change of clothing, and a bucket of sand. Apartment dwellers were advised to lie flat along a wall in a basement or under a table or workbench.
Civilians were encouraged to enroll in first aid classes at the Emery High School. A First Aid Certificate was awarded to everyone who completed an eight-week course of instruction. An Emeryville Civil Defense newsletter was published which informed residents of the civil defense effort. One newsletter listed the “Six Survival Secrets for Atomic Attack”:
- Try to get shielded.
- Drop flat on ground or floor.
- Bury your face in your arms.
- Don’t rush outside right after a bombing.
- Don’t take chances with food or water in open containers.
- Don’t start rumors.
Residents were asked to cut out this section and memorize it.
Three Emeryville schools were designated disaster centers for separated families and homeless persons for the post-atomic era. The Oakland Baseball Park was designated a center for mass evacuation due to its large seating capacity and location near three transcontinental railroads.
In 1951, a new Emeryville firehouse was built at Hollis Street and 63rd Street. Designed by Mayor Lacoste, this modern facility functioned both as a firehouse and a civil defense center and was stocked with medical supplies to be used in times of disaster. The firehouse could be converted to a hospital. During an emergency, the dormitory and the garage (after the fire apparatus was removed) could accommodate one hundred beds. The back-room library could also be used as an office for doctors and nurses.
A large underground shelter was excavated west of the firehouse that functioned as an emergency operating room. In the event of an atomic attack, firemen could retreat to the safety of this shelter and with radios, telephones, and maps dispatch equipment throughout the city. At this time the Emeryville Fire Department purchased a four-wheel drive pumper which could drive through bomb craters and over street debris.
The Emeryville Civil Defense effort continued through the 1950s, but it was difficult for local governments to remain on constant alert for year after year. Although Civil Defense remained a major government priority during the Kennedy administration in the early 1960s. the anticipated atomic bomb attack never materialized. The threat of nuclear war seemed to subside. and over a period of time Emeryville de-emphasized civil defense and focused instead on the mundane concerns of local government. The underground bomb shelter at the Emeryville firehouse at Hollis Street and 63rd Street still exists. serving as a reminder of the Cold War when nuclear war seemed to be inevitable.
This story originally published in 1996 for the Emeryville Centennial Celebration and compiled into the ‘Early Emeryville Remembered’ historical essays book.
