
Recruitment ceremony for medical volunteers for Civil Defense medical emergencies
This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.
Unnamed female speaker: Launching the first of what we hope will be several drives to recruit volunteers for nurses and nurses aides for the medical emergency division.
Grover Whalen: Man power is a problem of the first order, particularly when it relates to volunteers. Volunteers need help from the Army. We expect the Army to stop all planes from attacking NYC.
Crittenberger: Civil defense is the protection of the home front by civilians to minimize casualty, preserve civilian support of the war effort. Until wars are outlawed, civil defense and military defense must go hand in hand in the protection of the country. The army encourages every citizen to volunteer.
In the nursing profession, we find all the elements which typify woman at her best. The injured look hopefully to the "angels of mercy." This isn't something that can be organized over night. Necessity of following through on plans made; time has passed for anyone to be casual about civil defense.
Vice Admiral Oscar Badger: The Navy is joined in a joint effort to protect the United States from any attack from any country. Involves a great deal of joint planning. No military operation can be successful without well thought out plans. Different forms of disaster that can overtake a community in unorthodox war.
Wallander: You know the casualties that may result; we shouldn't despair. Many lives can be saved if we follow the rules of the civil defense authorities.
Impellitteri speaks briefly about appropriations.
Unnmaed: We have been very actively engaged in preparing people to an attitude of mind where they will really start to do something about preparing the City of New York. Your city leads the entire country.
Ladies are sworn in.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 71590
Municipal archives id: LT1873
This is a machine-generated transcript. Text is unformatted and may contain errors.
General couldna not bad just conditional on the distinguished guests and volunteers in civil defense we have often heard it said that New York City is target number one the planning and organization for its defense in case of attack are well advanced these plans need an immense number of people to carry them out which is the reason why a program of volunteer recruitment is now urgent no inhabitant of this city can possibly be considered expendable if a bomb holds we must get ready now today we are launching what we hope will be the first of several special drives to enroll volunteers for the various services needed by the emergency Division of Civil Defense this campaign for two hundred ninety one thousand nine hundred volunteers for the medical emergency division is spearheaded by a call for forty one thousand four hundred sixty nurses and twenty five thousand eight hundred forty nurses a such an effort to be successful must be a tell a cooperative one and this is no exception the chairman of the Committee on nursing services for civil defense of the community division Health Council of Greater New York with the Samuel L. Rosenberry appears at the coordinator of recruiting and general information Mr Wayland to arrange for the signing up of the nurses nearly eighteen thousand of whom have already answered a questionnaire indicating their willingness to serve Mr Whalen then asked Mrs Kelly and myself to work out a master plan. Miss Mary Ellen Manley the head of nursing services section of the medical emergency division indicated the sixteen year miscible and voluntary hospitals most suitable for registration and so the plan in innumerable ways the United Hospital phone through their women's executive committee headed by Mrs William Shipman Davis undertook to recruit six hundred volunteer interviewers to register volunteers in these hospitals these interviewers have been specially trained for the task and all it would today only two weeks after the call went out all newspapers radio stations and other other media information have been alerted and we hope will get enthusiastic cooperation which they have already started to do all five boroughs offices open and public information helping to spread the news and carry out the plan this meeting is therefore a pioneer project and now having explained the plan which brought it about it is an honor and a pleasure for me to introduce the chairman of the meeting the coordinator of recruiting and public information the honorable Grover a Wayland's away. Mr Mann. General couldn't buy. Back. Mrs. Davis. And the distinguished guest today and directors defend the wall under its great privilege today to see the response that has been made to the call for volunteers as a matter of fact. We all know that manpower has been the subject of discussion for a number of months in our federal state and city government man power is a problem of the first order but to kill itself when I don't want to relate to volunteers it's not a job that you do because you're paid for it but it's with a job that you do because you believe in the things that you're working for the life liberty and the pursuit of happiness and our way of life those are the things that we believe in that's the reason all of us are here this afternoon there isn't anyone of us that would give up this opportunity to be present here this afternoon I'm sure because the medical emergency division is probably one of the first and most important part of saving liars in civil defense we have many other services as you well know but when you are gathered to take you want to see a dentist very badly and when you have a stomach ache you want to see a doctor very very early and told he is but those of us who will be called upon to either suffer or to aid those that have been most unfortunate that we play our part as a team and that team. Other people that are before me the day of the men and women in the services not only of the city but those of us who are outside the city services and are acting on behalf of our impulses and feelings towards our family and our dire beloved city we have this afternoon the men that are as with us this afternoon the men who are responsible for the eight million people that will be the target number one if it should ever happen and I have asked them here this afternoon simply because I believe that you like to see and hear them hear their sincerity and hear their believe in the fact that we shall be able to raise an army of one million volunteers a lot for the protection of our homes for the protection of our selves and for the preservation of the city of New York and not only for the city of New York but the state of New York and for our nation now cars a civilian a civil army of volunteers needs a little help from the regular army we expect the regular army to stop all of planes that might have no yard as a target number one on their own while I will have it on but anyway that's the. And the commanding officer of this great i area not only has New Yawk is an area because after all claims it can come from New York and get to San Francisco a jet plane two and a half hours so that the general won't have very much time do you want him about it unless he has planned and trained it carefully and that's our big job today and a great privilege to be do introduce as our first speak up. General will as he couldn't be commanding general of the first Tommy. Mr Chairman but the mayor distinguished guests ladies and gentlemen it is a distinct gratification to me to join you on this inspirational occasion opening the nourish recruitment week and to witness the great city of New York taking this very important step in preparing itself for a possible emergency this mass meeting is another indication of the efforts of our civil defense authorities to press forward with the tasks that confront them this civil defense program is a tremendous contribution to the National Defense of the United States our government has defined civil defense as meaning the protection of the home front by Chavez and acting under civil authority to minimize casualties and war damage and to preserve maximum civilian support in the war effort and recognition of this. The establishment of an adequate civilian defense organization is necessary in order to complete the national security structure of the United States until wars are outlawed civil defense and military defense must go hand in hand and in the protection of this country of ours from a military point of view civil defense makes our combat soldier a better fighter because it relieve him of undue concern for his loved ones at home and it assures him that he has maximum support from the home front and that is a big thing although of civil defense is the function and principal responsibility. Of the venue and we want the people of this set a tone all that day first Army stand squarely behind them and their entire civilian defense are going to die Jim. We of the army are here to furnish information reference impending threats to advise with you on your defenses to consider matters of blackout demat and camouflage and to render all assistance in disaster logistical and otherwise upon the request of your proper civil authorities to that end each army agency under my command has been directed to assist your civil defense agencies in every way possible to make the civil defense force an effective service and without delay I am sure you all know that the army encourages every citizen of this free country to volunteer his services. To assist in preparing his homeland to be capable of withstanding any emergency we ourselves will be their plan needed Now with reference to today's program and ceremony at this opening of nurse recruitment week the several hundred nurses in uniform to the home the mayor will soon administer the oil holes are all symbols of New York's desire to be ready in a event of any eventuality they are the standard bearers of your determination to serve your city and your country I have his soul well known by you all the city of New York is the pride of every American each section of the country looks upon New York with admiration accordingly in this nurse recruitment drive you are now assuming a national leadership in civil defense which today is so vital to our nation's welfare the stimulus and of this afternoon's rally will be felt not only in the metropolitan area but may all soul start and echo all that could well be heard throughout the land and so all it is time for every individual to realize that he must now step forward and make his contribution to his home community and thereby to his country. If he will examine him self to discover walk he can do consulting the agencies of civil defense he will find the right niche for his talents and his capabilities it is indeed fortunate that the service we are stretching today is that of nursing. The women who are taking the loyalty goals later on have seen where in their duty lies and have dedicated themselves to their city's services other young women seeing this dedication well say to themselves if they can do it so can I This started a good it is inspiring it points the way far even greater efforts we are reminded that in the nursing profession are found all the elements which typify woman asked her about her. Hair her native gentleness kindness and mercy blended with her training give her Wedeman strength to be the comfort of mankind to be the one wanted went off saw a need a friend we all realize the profession of nursing needs no one to champion from a rostrums it's accomplishments in battle and in emergency three hundred American nurses attending our wounded halfway around the world in the cold winter of Korea speaks eloquently for themselves and the merciful organization that they represent on the battlefield Tucker and first aid are rendered the wounded by a ministry of God frontline doctors and the ever present nurse like lives in the wake of a disaster of a major proportion the injured are the destitute of a civilian community look hopefully to those angels of mercy whose ministering hands bring relief. But we must understand that this humanitarian service for those unfortunate victims of shot and shell bomb our missile is not something that can be organized overnight. On Fortunately we cannot wait until we are overtaken by disaster and then expect successfully to combat it and overcome its consequences and that way we cannot possibly hope to measure up to our responsibilities such delay in preparations could only result in unspeakable confusion loss of lives a and possible panic Let me illustrate in World War two it was possible to save the lives of ninety seven out of every one hundred man wounded and almost unbelievable record not only because of the long experience and organization behind our Army Medical Service but also because of the advance preparations that were made for every phase of any projected operation here in the metropolitan area the recognize the nation of this need for advantage of preparation has taken the form of this nurse recruitment we the plan is to provide the qualified nurses and personnel for this very service that is so important a part of our whole Civil Defense Structure are keeping pace with other projects of the fast I am told but I am here today to emphasize if I may the necessity of following through on these initial efforts this recruiting of nurses. Voluntary or and Roland so last officially started and promises very well the success or failure of the entire project however may well depend upon the long hours devoted to continuing preparations from here on into the future the time has passed for anyone to be casual our passing of about civil defense this is no moment not all OUR know all day to hold back the need is now we all have a job to do finally thank you for the privilege of joining you here today in this very commendable and highly essential civil defense activity this recruitment of nurses. All of us Mr Mayor are quite aware of its great significance and to the all of you of this first group of volunteer nurses for enrollment family here today four year old the Army of the United States extends its sincerest congratulations thank you again and couldn't buy over that inspiring speech it's a great privilege for me to present to you Vice Admiral. Of the Eastern Front is the front tier Command Admiral that you are on them there are things yes the Navy in conjunction with our sister services is against in a joint effort that disasters are coming within the limits of the United States by any form of military attacked by any potential enemy the joint effort involves a great deal of joint planning. Joint thought and all the elements that make for success in military operations whether they be of fancy or defense price inlay I have a great deal of confidence in the ability of our services working together as they are now working and have been working for many years that prevent a need disaster of importance coming through the military effort of our enemy now laughs in my recent experiences throughout the world I have seen disaster visit people and I've seen the disaster go into unbelievable an unnecessary precaution I mean unnecessary. Extent because of the fact that they had not made preparation not even to the planning stage a minimizing the effect of the unexpected whether it be by drought weather day by attack or any other cause of unexpected disaster I don't Cretan barbarian is very eloquent drafts covered everything that on a military person could hope to cover in an address on the Cajun like this one. Phrase however and the only one that he left out of his top where he said the Army of the United States for the forest I mean he didn't mention the word and the Navy and the air fought. And every promise that he cares to make. Regarding his duties and his outlook Tardis important matter of civil defense applies equally to the other service I'm sure that that wasn't an omission it was just to give me the opportunity to add a few words to the jest of his talk I would like to emphasize one thing no that has been impressed on me so often in line naval career and that is the need for planning. And the need for bathing sure that all elements of that plan are covered by adequate provision in regard to parts unknown material and equipment no military operation can be successful without well thought out live and no operation as extensive as the civil defense movement can proceed without well thought out plan I know enough about the developments in the civil defense field and know that those plans exist they are perfect to have a meticulous degree and cover all angles of possible disaster they do emphasize possibly the atomic attack but sometimes I wonder if people realize the different forms of disaster that can overtake a community in what is known as an Orthodox war and I assure you that all there are many forms of casualties and disaster that can take place when you consider the world as it now exists. Therefore the word civil defense all or it may be shaped up to cover or there an atomic attack of one form or another we must remember two things One is the data Tom and good tact may not come by military means as we know them the other thing is that there may be other on Orthodox or on expected forms of attack pausing disaster of great proportions an organization such as that it's is well fitted to handle such forms of the unexpected as is it fitted and Righty to accept the disaster of atomics. Lightly. AT ALL It reminds me of the time we were going into cottage time. In their free time and for. Very advice and newspaper correspondent. On bread. Out of the submarines and four in the cult. Discover and let us know any mines and what of those patrol planes out there for. They're out there to prevent any high speed motor top speed of boats coming in at night one of those planes overhead there in the distance. There to prevent the enemy from using their radar and discovering that one of those planes overhead for. Those advances knock down any Japanese air attack it may try to interfere with and so he parted to have a dozen additional And he got white it was easy for us to experience in the for their aid. He said Admiral do you expect all of these things to happen. No I don't expect that to happen but he said it we weren't ready for. It might happen and furthermore if we weren't ready for them the disaster. Of the bought that they are on its way leading the way to the recruit volunteers for this worthy cause and I think that the city of New York and the country at large is to be congratulated because of the example that these young ladies are setting for this great project which has so much assurance that. In its planning and implementation and therefore to you young ladies the Navy through may extend their best wishes their appreciation. Lash thank you and Vijay After sent to you at this time the director several a fan stay out of all after W.Y.L. and I missed jam and I'm an. Admiral manager is all it's called. Ladies and gentleman. And our right charming nice age and I think that all it has been said by. General Clinton Baghran and Aunt Madge Ellie's very little for me to say I would like to point out that. The. Frightful effects of a possible bombing via the new technique in an air attack certainly ought to. Bring about a realization the need for everybody doing a part in this hearing great and they didn't see. We all know all of the casualties that may result. We shouldn't do assume an attitude of frustration and despair I think it's one of get up and fight because many lives can be saved if we follow the simple rules have been laid down by the symbol of defense authorities. Just this is everybody's fight that's just not yours not mine but everybody within the listening range area within seeing range either here or elsewhere and should say to me Take heed. Your mayor as recognize just a long time ago and he's given us every assurance that whatever it is necessary to carry on in the defense effort why he will back up the request I want to take this opportunity to graduate the nation's aides are assembled here and they who are to be the interviewers and to recruit others I think it's a fine gesture and one that should bring good results from others they should follow your example and I do hope that you get very many volunteers because we knew we needed thousands of hands to do this but thousands of jobs that we're going to have to do if disaster should strike this is a big job and I'm very happy to see you join up with us and I congratulate you and commend you on this fine at it thank you Mr Manager I resent to you the first notices wop of pad to number one listen to you for some advice and number two have you swear them in as the first dances the city of the art the civil defense. The well a new laundry is always gentle curtain burger and moral badger. My colleagues on the lot of estimate they distinguish borough president of Manhattan Bob Wagner Jr The acting president the Council of fellow talk over my job Joe Sharkey ladies and gentlemen I purposely and ADOS Mr Wagner and Mr Sharkey because in spite of what people think whenever appropriations come up for approval they're not measures that are passed upon by the mayor he's merely one member of the bought of estimate these other gentlemen that I referred to Mr Shockey the Wagner comptroller of the five boroughs presidents representing the age Burr of the city of New York are the gentleman that make up the governing body of the city of New York so it's the cooperative effort of all the members of the Bawd to make appropriations available including of appropriations for civil defense I'm very happy that they joined with us today and these ceremonies general Kryten Berger after the case that Admiral back here made out and Beram in mind that I am a Navy man too I was wondering whether you wanted to amend your original statement. I care enough and I assume that the general will accept the amendment offered by Admiral bad. It's a great pleasure for me to be invited to participate with you this afternoon particularly in the ceremony with reference to the administration of the loyalty of. On a day such as today which I think is probably one of the most measures a role afternoons of the entire winter. It's certainly a great tribute to you ways that you would take time out from what is on doubly a very busy schedule to come up here on your own time and to demonstrate your love for your city and your love for your country by attending this very inspiring ceremony this afternoon I don't intend to go into a review of them of the Sestak thing for what we're here to do today and I think that the elements behind it have been fully explained by Mrs Alving which by Mr Whalen by Mr awhile and A by General Kryten directed by Admiral Badger We merely want to point out that and approaching this problem of civil defense we don't approach it at all with the idea of alarming the people of the city of New York just as Admiral Badger so eloquently pointed out this is in the nature of preparation we hope to God that the preparations that we make will never be at all necessary but we don't want to be over optimistic about it so that and all the coverages that he told you about perhaps not a single one of those preventive measures was ever necessary but in the event of necessity they're all available and that's exactly the position of the city of New York with reference to civil defense preparation and although not too many of our people know it. We hope and pray that more of them will take a more active interest in it just as you are your doing this afternoon but the fact of the matter is that we have been very actively engaged and preparing people to an attitude of mind where they will really start to do something about preparing the city of New York for a proper civil defense program to that end we have been working a long time this program has been underway well over six months and I am happy to tell you that I have attended a great number of conferences and that while people might think that we haven't been doing enough the fact of the matter is that your city leads the entire country and I do not exclude any single city we lead the entire country and taking the necessary steps to prepare your city far a possible emergency to that end we have secured the services of a gentleman that I think is the best qualified man in the entire city of New York to head up our civil defense program he's a gentleman who came up through the ranks in the police department Aventura we became the police commissioner of our city and during World War two headed up our civil defense unit in the city of New York I'm happy that to tell you that he's a volunteer exactly as you are he works at this job mommy known and night. Works for works for you on a volunteer basis although he works full time he's still a volunteer serving without compensation and I'd like to pay public tribute to Mr Ottawa and. See everybody is working on this job on a volunteer basis Mrs All of which takes time out from her very busy schedule to develop a great deal of our time to Spock plugging this program doing a perfectly wonderful job for the city that she loves so much take a fellow like Grover Whalen he's a he's a busy man when you don't seem at city hall when his don't see him bringing up the the Duchess of well I won't mention the particular Duchess. But he's a very active citizen he has a very very responsible executive position with a very large firm I'm not going to mention that the DI otherwise I might be accused of doing a little indirect advertising Whalen doesn't need that but there were very very various facets of this campaign some of them although we were working mom time and time again some of them began the leg not through any fall of off the wall and they're not through any fault of the mayor and I'm not through with the fall of any of the people that are responsible for your city government but the American public as you know sometimes require just a little something to get them alerted that perhaps it's good that way. That's been our experience. Ever since we started off as a free nation just to give you one illustration I can recall vividly the days of World War two and even then people were not too much excited they're not excited today that is they're not excited enough Korea is too far away from the American scene and it really wasn't until Pearl up that the American public really became aroused and from that point on we went full force ahead now in this situation we haven't had a Pearl Harbor thank God for that but this situation that is not of our own creation needs something to. Arouse the American public they have not been aroused sufficiently certainly on the national the state the local level those of us that are entrusted by you to serve you and serve your wishes serve the form of government you want for yourselves and for your children know something of what is going on so much so that you're a national government only within the last two weeks or three weeks has already set up an appropriation of approximately. Three billion dollars for civil defense your state government has taken cognizance of it you're sending government has a long time ago and has spent considerable money on it already. So that one of the things that was left was our recruitment drive recruitment of volunteers. Of course we have all wonderful Ami we have a wonderful maid we have a London full Air Force but they are the leaders and start with the back fam up we need of their all healthy volunteer organization and I want to thank Grover Wayland that when a leg occurred and our recruitment drive he took office called went to work and as a result of it and lots thought I would say that we had this very fine turnout today Grover may I thank you for your civic mindedness in taking over this job. That about sums it up we appreciate your presence here today we appreciate your interest we'd like to hand you a rouse among your coworkers the state same spirit that brought you here today you know other nice who haven't volunteered yet you know a nurse's aide who haven't volunteered yet. Each and every one of you ladies can become sales ladies overnight because certainly if you have been a route to the point where you're willing to take time out to come here today you've expressed a willingness to help your country helping your city is merely incidental because anything that affects the people of the city of New York call it number one target call it and then Number Ten talk it doesn't mean a thing because whatever up tax us affects the security of the and cut entire country. So that if you will go out among your coworkers you know who they are there is a great number of nurses trained registered nurses practical nurses who perhaps today are not in the nursing profession that could be brought in you know who they are tell em about this program and I am certain that with your assistance this particular phase of our program will go over the top main I thank you sincerely for your presence here today May I tell you that I know that I express the thanks in the appreciation of all the people of the city of New York mom proud and happy to represent on this occasion and telling you that I am positive that if all eight million were looking down upon you the Sampson known they would want me to say in their behalf thank you ladies for your one of the poll demonstrations a real American woman. Lighted when you repeat after me please and raise your right hands I. Repeat your name deuce sullenly swear or affirm. That I will support and they from the Constitution of the United States. Against all enemies foreign and domestic. That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. That I take this obligation freely. Without any mental reservation. Or purpose of evasion. And that I will well and faithfully. Discharge the duties upon which. I am about to enter. And I do further swear or affirm. That I do not advocate. Nor am I a member. Or an affiliate. Of any organization or. Group. Our combination of persons. That advocates. The overthrow of the government of the United States. By force or violence. And that during such time. As I am a member. Of the office of civil defense of the city of New York. I will not advocate. Nor become a member. Are an affiliate. Of any organization. Group of our combination of persons. That advocates the overthrow. Of. The government of the United States by force or violence. Congratulations you are now are officially members of our family of the Office of Civil Defense. Mr Mann. The photographers would like to have you stand down from there and I also say Mr Mann that you are expected and will be called upon to sign every one of these all of you may not be have enough work to do but I'm sure it would be a great pleasure All right.