AHA STATEMENT ON CIVIL DEFENSE SHELTER PROGRAM
The statement on the Civil Defense Shelter Program, H.R. 3516, was preserted by the American Hospithl Association (AHA) before the Subcommittee No. 3 of the House Committee on Armed Services on June 20, 1963. The role that AHA has assumed in the preparation of hospitals for natural and nuclear disasters is outlined and AHA's support to legislation that would authorize federal funds to assist hospitals in providing approved public shelter space is offered. The efforts of AHA in civil defense preparedness are outlined. After considering the situation in the event of an all-out attack, it was decided that hospitals would be concerned particularly in six areas of activity: man-power. supplies and equipment, construction, financing, patient care, and communications. Subcommittees were then appointed to deal at length with each of these areas and to develop a policy and procedures to be followed by hospitals in the event of nuclear attack. It was concluded by AHA that national survival could best be obtained by providing for the protection of as large a segment of the public as possible. To this end, AHA has urged hospitals to participate in the public fallout shelter program to the fullest extent possible. It is believed that some hospitals may be able to adapt existing facilities for shelter purposes with modest expenditures. However, to expand the capabilities for many hospitals for public shelter space, basic changes in exisiting structures or new construction may be necessary. AHA determined that the maximum federal allotment of 50 per ft/sup 2/ is not sufficient and would necessitate hospitals obtaining very substantial amounts of money on their own in order to undertake the necessary shelter space construction. AHA urges, therefore, that the Congress reconsider the maximum of 50 of federal matching presently proposed, and questions whether this amount is sufficient to defray the cost of adapting enough space for shelter purposes in hospitals. This amount would not constitute a sufficient federal contribution to stimulate the development of new shelter space. The need for a single civil defense authority is also proposed. (BBB)
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-018079
- OSTI ID:
- 4039962
- Journal Information:
- Hospitals (U.S.), Vol. Vol: 37; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-64
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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