AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS
Suggested by San Jose's Defense Council
A downtown business district is a specialized area. It requires specialized preparation for air raid attack, either by
day or night. All possible precautions should be taken to protect the employees who work in this district, the public
which patronizes it and the property of the district itself. Remember, the protection of human life is paramount. The
following should be put in effect at once: —
1. Orders and suggestions of local authorities should b3
complied with AT ONCE.
2. This applies particularly to the turning out of all lights
in case of a night air raid alarm. All lights should be off
when the last employee leaves the premises. One person
should be responsible to see that this is done.
3. Fire Hazards. All debris and inflammable
material should be removed from cellars, attics and roofs.
Nothing sho'uld be left where it would hamper fire fighters.
Cleanliness is the basis of fire prevention.
4. Protection Against Incendiary Bombs-
A number of employees in each business house should b3
trained in fighting incendiaries. The civilian defense council
has provided facilities for training. All employees should
have a general knowledge of these fierce-burning weapons
which can sear through skin and bone like ordinary flame
through butter.
(a) SAND is an important weapon in fighting incendiaries. Dry sani should be placed in pails
throughout the premises.
(b) SHOVELS AND RAKES. Long handled
shovels and rakes are also helpful in fighting
incendiaries.
(c) HOSE with a spray nozzel is also important.
Make sure hose can be attached to all faucets.
(d) FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, although not generally suitable against incendiaries themselves,
are of prime importance in fighting any fires
which may result. They should be strategically
located and employees should know of their location. The same goes for any other fire fighting equipment in the establishment.
5. First Aid. Urge as many employees as possible
to take first aid training. Perhaps a complete class could be
made up from the members of the organization. There should
also be standard first aid kits handy for the emergency.
6. Skylights. Skylights reflect moonlight. In blacking them out be sure to paint on the outside. Painting glass
on the inside produces a reflecting surface which acts as a
mirror.
7. Gas and Water Shut-off Valves.
Location of all gas, water and electric shut-off valves and
switches should be known by a number of persons in the establishment. Water and gas should only be shut off in the
event of damage to the water and gas systems.
8. Shelters and Drills, a place of safety
should be arranged in each builling. Perhaps the basement
is an ideal bomb shelter. Employees should be drilled in the
procedure for reaching the shelter in order to avoid panics.
Provision should also be made for taking care of the public,
such as customers in a store, in orderly fashion. Shelters
should have more than one means of exit.
9. Doors. Doors of a business house should never be
locked during a raid when there are persons in the building.
10. Furnaces. Furnaces should be shut off during
a raid, particularly the gas or oil variety. Fuel supply from
outdoor tanks or mains should be cut off.
11. Signal System. Any call-bell system within a building shouli be used for air raid alarm purposes.
This also applies to public address systems.
12. Organization. Air raid organizations
within individual buildings should be geared to and cooperate
with the warden service personnel of the district in which the
building is located.
Central Business District Defense Committee
Wm. A. Baylor, Chairman Albert E. Buhot Bert Collins P. M. Deiderich
Fred Doerr Louis Rossi
DISNEY & MONAHAN. PRINTERS
