Role of the Police Department in Civil Defense

This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.

Wallander interviews police commissioner Thomas F. Murphy about the police emergency division.

For the air warden service, the city was divided in to zones and divisions. 240,000 air wardens are necessary. 50% should be women to provide for the times when men are at work. Rescue squads in each district. Emergency taxi corps.

Communication report centers and messenger services. 23 report centers in the boroughs will soon be operating. For emergencies, they've enlisted a troupe of husky boys to act as couriers.

Bureau of building defense. Every building in the city will have a prepared defense plans. For 1 and 2 family dwellings, the householders are asked to create a shelter in the basement. 199,000 buildings will require plans.

Auxiliary police forces. Ground observers corps. Training plans for the division.

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 71606
Municipal archives id: LT1807