CIVILIAN DEFENSE IN PRAGUE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A000500470009-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 2, 2001
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: March 23, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2001/11/21 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA000500470009-6
CENTRAL INTELLIGE 4CE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
ThibDoctunent coftains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.B. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
COUNTRY
Czechoslovakia
REPORT NO.
25X1A
Civilian Defense in Prague
DATE DISTR.
23 ) rch 1953
NO. OF PAGES
2
PLACE ACQUIRED
REQUIREMENT NO.
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
1. The organization of civilian defense in Czechoslovakia was under the control of the
Central Committee of the Cunist Party in Prague. Volunteer fire departments
throughout the country were charged with the actual training of personnel and the
execution of civil defense measures. The Communist regime was carrying out a
vigorous recruiting campaign for the volunteer fire departments, particularly out-
25X1X side the larger cities, in order to-fulfill their mission, the fire
departments will have the assistance of all Communist Party organizations, social
welfare agencies, health departments, and the SNB.
2. Early in 1952, civilian defense got off to a start with the designation of house
wardens, block wardens, and persons trained in administering first aid. Until the
25X1X there was no program underway to repair
old bomb shelters in dwellings. In February 1952, some of the large underground
25X1X shelters in Prague were being renovated, Renovation of the shelter at Vinohrad325X1X
Railway Station was completed about this time the
25X1X simply observed workman. who had been down in the shelter that
there were no indications of any special type of defense against the 6ffeot of an
atom bomb. In addition to this large shelter, there were several special shelters,
25X1X such as, the ones under the Ministries of National Security and National Defense
which had extra thick walls and could offer good protection against an
atomic blast, During World War II, AA batteries were located atop Petrie Hid.], in
Prague III-Mala Strana somewhere in Pragtae-Brevnov, and on Pohoreleo Square in
Prague IV-Hrado there were any AA installations at theme
locations 25X1X
SECRET
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 Approved For Release 2001/11/21 : CIA-RDP80-00810A000500470009-6
zE;RET/SzC= INFO TION
Water to s, Whi:ah were erected in various places throughout the
0.1% - during' lord War II, had not been. restored, and . there was flo
e
wideh a of ambulances or evacuation vehicles, The only war -i g
d#rf eee in evidence were
the .old ; sirens which were installed dur3, g
'bb d ar III and the` public address eystem . with loudspeakers installed
on the streets
of instruction in civilian defense, if
such a,n?tritotion existed, No special training was being given
to civil,defense organizations. Everyone ass ed::,that, in the' event
of rar, the "same ateasures. would be in effect as during World War ,.II .
25X1X
there were Sao provieidns for defense
against biological .Warfare . There had been no general, inoculations;
if a tch a program were undertaken, there would he enough 25X1X
vaccine ova fable * Nor did indications of .any type 25X1X
of? defense against chemical. warfare. most of those gas masks left..
over from the dale of 'the First Republic . were unfit for use
The State Ra4iologi a . Institute was conducting experiments with
610 =6 and tea t les? for protection against; gamma and x-ray,
radiation, but t e results of such,* eriments. had not been made
25X1X public ~;' that such protective cloth
`
impregns ted
;larit3 rubber mixed With lead,
SECRET.
Approved For Release 2001/11/21 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA000500470009-6