A major emergency affecting a large number of people may occur anytime
and anywhere.

It may be a peacetime disaster such as a flood, tornado, fire,
hurricane, blizzard or earthquake. It could be an enemy nuclear attack
on the United States.

In any type of general disaster, lives can be saved if people are
prepared for the emergency, and know what actions to take when it
occurs.

With the aid of Federal and State governments, cities and counties in
all parts of the country are developing their local civil defense
systems--the fallout shelters, supporting equipment and emergency plans
needed to reduce the loss of life from an enemy attack.

While these local government systems have been set up mainly as
safeguards against nuclear attack, they have saved lives and relieved
suffering in many major peacetime disasters. People have been warned of
impending storms and similar dangers, told how to protect themselves,
sheltered from the elements, fed and clothed, treated for injury and
illness, and given help in resuming their normal lives. Experience has
shown that as cities, counties and towns develop their systems to
preserve life under nuclear attack conditions, they also become better
prepared to deal effectively with peacetime disasters.

In cooperation with the U.S. Office of Civil Defense and the States,
many local governments are improving their civil defense systems by
preparing community shelter plans. These plans include instructions to