In Time of Emergency A Citizen's Handbook on Nuclear Attack, Natural Disasters (1968)

"In Time of Emergency" by the United States Office of Civil Defense is a citizen's handbook on emergency preparedness written in the mid-20th century. The handbook provides essential information and guidance for responding to nuclear attacks and natural disasters, emphasizing the importance of being prepared and knowing the actions to take during emergencies. The opening portion of the handbook outlines the various types of emergencies citizens may face, including nuclear threats and natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes. It stresses the value of local civil defense systems established to safeguard citizens during such crises, including fallout shelters and communication networks. The introduction also highlights the need for individuals to educate themselves and prepare in advance, providing a checklist of emergency actions, survival courses, and resources for assembling supplies to enhance personal and family safety in times of emergency. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) was an agency of the United States Department of Defense from 1961–64. It replaced the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization. The organization was renamed the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency on May 5, 1972, and was abolished on July 20, 1979, pursuant to Executive Order 12148. Its duties were given to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).