Views of Readers
CD SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
To the Editor of
The Recorder-Gazette:
Enemy attack on any target city in Massachusetts would result in the occurence
of many casualties in a few seconds, necessitating immediate casualty services
provided largely by non-professional personnel operating under adverse conditions.
Only detailed advance planning, organization and training of personnel, as well
as provision of adequate supplies and facilities, could provide effective casualty
services in such an emergency.
Civil defense planning requires the enrollment of a minimum of 464 persons
in the mobile first-aid units, which this town must have for anticipated emergency.
Presently one unit is approaching a full complement and a strong effort must
be advanced to staff the second unit and assure dependability, resourcefullness,
and confidence in meeting the requirements of the community, region, and state,
if a situation of natural disaster or enemy action ensues.
The training of first aid personnel has been carried on for the past two years
under the American Red Cross training procedures, sponsored by the Greenfield
Civil Defense Agency. Many local people have availed themselves of the opportunity
to secure this excellent training by lay and professional personnel. Instruction
is given each Thursday evening at 7:30 in Washington Hall. A competent staff
of instructors working under the supervision of R. Stuart Cumming with two of
our local doctors namely: Dr. Merle Ingraham and Dr. Calvin Hartshorn on hand
to check procedures has offered this community a rare opportunity to train its
citizens in this important phase of community defense and medical care.
A new course, and the last one of this spring season, will commence on the
evening of Thursday, March 18 at Washington Hall, and it is hoped that more
citizens will avail themselves of this opportunity to obtain a certificate of
proficiency in first aid procedure.
Greenfield folks can register for this course at the Civil Defense office in
the town hall daily or report directly to Washington Hall on the evening of
the 18th, and join the new classes now forming. We should all remember that
the longer medical care for a seriously injured casualty is delayed, the less
the chance for recovery. Thoughtful people will understand the necessity of
organizing now for contingencies that can happen in these uncertain times.
"Let's build a strong civil defense and keep America on Guard."
William F. Casey
Director |