CIVIL DEFENSE HEALTH PROGRAMS IN CANADA

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1963 · N. Y. State J. Med.

OSTI ID:4075611

Hardman, A C

Problems of civil defense planning in Canada are discussed in terms of a hypothetical attack in North America. The estimate of disaster was designed to indicate those areas in which effective care, was assigned to two agencies. The responsibility for planning in the prevention of radiation injury was divided between two other federal agencies. The Department of National Defence has established a nuclear detonation and radiation fallout warning system which will identify the point of detonation, size and height of burst, and predict fallout patterns for warning the population at risk. In addition, 2,000 fallout reporting stations are manned on a 24-hr basis and are capable of reporting to regional authorities the actual intensity of the radiation present at that point. The warning of the population will take place through the siren system and the Emergency Broadcasting Network of our Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Plans for the production of shelter space have been assigned to the Emergency Measures Organization, with major reliance on individual action by families to provide shelter. However, surveys have been carried out of all suitable shelter space in existing government buildings, and the costs of converting such space have been determined. Measures to be executed at various postattack phases are outlined. Emphasis is placed on disaster planning for hospitals and municipal departments of health and the integration of such plans into a municipal disaster plan. An information and education program is directed to the general public in conjunction with other agencies, specifically in providing information on the types of health hazards and measures that could be taken to prevent spread of disease. The federal government has authoritry to stockpile some million of supplies which will provide for 200,000 casualties for 21 days. A large portion of the stockpile has been procured and packaged for long-term storage and distributed to regional depots across the country. Some 200 200-bed hospitals have been procured as the first phase of a 500-hospital project. A survey is being conducted of available stocks of medical supplies and equipment and the production capability of industries, with a goal to make the municipality self- sufficient for seven days, the provinces self-sufficient for 30 days, and the country as a whole for six months. (BBB)

• Research Organization: Dept. of National Health and Welfare, Ottawa
• NSA Number: NSA-18-016246
• OSTI ID: 4075611
• Journal Information: N. Y. State J. Med., Journal Name: N. Y. State J. Med. Vol. Vol: 63
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ACCIDENTS
CANADA
CIVIL DEFENSE
DISEASES
DISTRIBUTION
ECONOMICS
FALLOUT
FOOD
HEALTH AND SAFETY
LEVELS
MEDICINE
MONITORING
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
PACKAGING
POPULATIONS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIATION PROTECTION
SAFETY
SHELTERS
STORAGE