Civil Defence Organisation

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 57, 9 March 1943, Page 2

Civil Defence Organisation

DISTRICT CONTROLLER’S STATEMENT. “The modifications in Civil Defence organisation and training have been brought about with the object of maintaining efficient and adequate protection for the civilian population,” stated the District Controller (Mr. T. L. Seddon) in Feilding yesterday. “Civil defence policy is allied very closely to that adopted for active defence and the public will realise that so long as it is necessary for our defence forces to be mobilised then it is also necessary for civil defence to be in a liko position. “The military situation in the Pacific Is still fluid and should it- deteriorate then civil defence forces must be in a position if necessary to afford adequate protection. To do this they must be properly organised and efficiently trained but in doing this there is no desire to impose upon an already heavily burdened public more duties than are necessary. In essence therefore the new order provides for a sound static force with provision for reserves and supported by an adequate training system. Therefore in what are known as vulnerable areas definite establishments have been laid down for Front Line Units (Wardens, Law and Order, Communications, Medical, Fire and Works) with provision for Unit reinforcements. These Units will be required to undertake in the first place a course of training iu prescribed subjects covering a period of thirty hours bpread over not more than six months. Refresher courses will probably follow. To assist training in the vulnerable areas Training Units are to be set up whose duty it will be to organise and attend to the training of the Units and subject to general directions to plan and conduct trials. Where local conditions require it then subject to the Regional Commissioner's approval adjustments can be made in the establishments and in vulnerable areas particular consideration is to be given to the formation of mobile squads and backing up services. “The establishment figures lay down the constitution of the Front Line Units only and the personnel for the remaining Units reinforcements and mobile squads will be drawn from the remainder of the E.P.S. personnel. In carrying out the training special attention is to be given to practical demonstration, unit practices and combined exercises beween Units. From time to time to test the efficiency of the Service public trials will be held and a check-up on the efficacy of the black-out arrangements will be made. In selecting the personnel of the Front Line Units special consideration will be given to the obligations of members for Military Service with a view to keeping these Units as stable as possible. Training will, of course, continue for all E.P.S. personnel but will not be of such an Intensive or obligatory nature as that demanded of Front Line Units. For nonvulnerable areas Unit establishments will bo arranged by district Controllers. It will therefore be apparent that no member escapes service under the new arrangement. Some will do more—others may do less. It is in the nature of things that this must bo so but it is not anticipated that the selection of personnel for the Front Line Units will cause any difficulty. “The local establishment is now receiving my consideration but it is not expected that there will be any drastic change. Colonel Macauley who has recently returned from the School of Instruction will be taking up with Unit Controllers the matter of training and will remedy any deficiencies that may be found. Summed up I think that the changes will make for a more efficient service and if this is achieved the public should find the changes acceptable,” concluded Mr. Seddon.