NETC Library inherited the library of the Civil Defense Staff College (CDSC) when that agency became the Emergency Management Institute under the newly created Federal Emergency Management Agency. CDSC was established in 1951 at the height of the Cold War and its collection reflected the major concerns of the day. This guide explores that collection.
The library has a collection of Cold War era civil defense films on DVD and VHS. Some are also digitized. These short features were commissioned by the Federal Civil Defense Administration and outsourced to advertising agencies and film companies. Atomic Theater also has a collection of civil defense films online.
This 1966 film from the Office of the Secretary of the Army and the Office of Civil Defense shows viewers how a county works with the Office of Civil Defense to develop community shelter plans. The film features a young Gene Hackman.
"Duck and Cover" was designed to demonstrate for children a technique to minimize harm from a nuclear blast.
Our Cities Must Fight urges America's urban dwellers to remain in place after receiving warning of an incoming atomic attack to ensure that essential industries can maintain production to fight the war precipitated by the bomb. By 1956 the film was withdrawn and declared obsolete.
More online civil defense films
