Photo Catalog Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Civil Defense Exercise, November 22, 1952 |
Image # |
2003.2.63.2465 |
Object Name |
Negative, Film |
Date |
November 22, 1952 |
Photographer |
Saari, Paulu T. |
Location |
Ketchikan, Alaska |
Description |
Civil Defense Exercise, November 22, 1952 Ketchikan Daily News, 11/22/1952 "Air Raid Practice Held Here An air raid alert touched off at 5:30 p.m. yesterday marked the start of the 'Ketchikan civil defense organization's participation in the military training exercise Operation Warm Wind. Yesterday the Coast Guard simulated an enemy attack by sea and air against Ketchikan and gave the civil defense organization practice. Jim Pinkerton, local director of civil defense, said today that the drill held last night went off with considerable success. Most everyone in town saw or heard the Coast Guard planes buzzing the city at low altitude and dropping leaflets containing a message from Col. James C. Crockett, territorial director of civil defense, he says. SEALED INSTRUCTIONS Instructions and information pertaining to the simulated attack were contained in sealed envelopes handed to Director Pinkerton periodically by Harold Praedel, representing the Coast Guard base, between 5:30 and 9 p.m. Following the receipt of the initial alert, the fire department vehicles were dispersed immediately in accordance with established procedures; the National Guard was called out and had the business district covered in 30 minutes. The port security unit of the Coast Guard reserve patrolled the waterfront in approximately one half-hour: Capt. Clyde Peterson was in charge of the National Guard and Gordon Zerbetz, directed the port security unit. City Engineer Lee Hubbard was driving on Water street when the alert sounded: He immediately reported to the control unit in the police station and started mobilizing the damage control unit consisting of all city and KPU employes and equipment plus many volunteers and the equipment and employes of several private firms who would be called into action in the event of an actual air raid. The entire police force and highway patrol sped, to Chief Del Freimuth's office and were available to perform their duties. Radio equipment in police and highway patrol cars was used several times. Under the direction of Dr. A. N. Wilson and Bill Pritchett, the medical and first aid units responded to the alert. Besides the medical staff and nurses, 30 qualified first aid men responded, including 9 Explorer Scouts under "Scooty" Homan. Sixty trucks and drivers plus helpers were alerted and available for use under the transportation unit directed by K e n Shrum. First aid men and trucks were dispatched to various points in the city to take care of simulated victims of the bombing. Cmdr: T. R. Midtlying, new commanding officer of the Coast Guard base, was on hand during the alert as an observer a n d toured .the city with civil defense officials. He seemed to be favorably impressed by promptness of the action taken and the functions of the various units participating. Director Pinkerton expressed his appreciation to all for a job well done. He pointed out that the world conditions make it imperative for the civil defense organization to remain in readiness at all times to answer an alert and to continue increasing the strength and training of the various units such as the Coast Guard 50-footers which were cruising the waterfront during the alert discharging blank ammunition and flares might well have been an enemy submarine doing actual damage." |
Provenance |
Donated to the Museum by the Photographer |
Film Size |
5" x 4" |
People |
Saari, Paulu Toivo Bolling, Walter Freimuth, Delmer Pinkerton, James G. |
Search Terms |
Law Enforcement Police Civil Defence Coast Guard Territorial Police Ketchikan Police Department United States Coast Guard |
Credit line |
Ketchikan Museums: Paulu T. Saari Collection, KM 2003.2.63.2465 |