The first days
The origin of some public safety entities is to a great extent, shrouded in mystery and history. Some simply evolved organically, from a need, and others were created deliberately, again to address a recognized demand.
One of the latter is Civil Defense. Although it had existed in brief periods of time before, it was launched into being shortly before the disastrous attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. On May 20, 1941, as war was heating up in Europe, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had signed Executive Order 8757, establishing the Office of Civilian Defense. With the attack, however, the citizenry suddenly understood that they were no longer protected from threats by the oceans and that defense of the homefront was critical, even if the United States was not directly involved in a conflict. Within weeks, federal, state and local governments were feverishly setting up the process to involve everyone in the effort to defend the United States, while at the same time, the military was preparing to ramp up for troops to move into the theatre of war in Europe and the East.
To that end, in Louisville, local authorities launched into the effort enthusiastically. Some had already anticipated the need, in fact, and started organizing for home defense even before the attack.
By the next morning, after the attack, Louisville and Jefferson County had created the Louisville Metropolitan Area Defense Council. In a “war-born spirit of service,” the two governments immediately met to create an ordinance to be voted on by a special meeting of the Board of Alderman, with the county following suit with a special meeting of the Fiscal Court. It was anticipated that the Indiana counties to the immediate north , Floyd and Clark , would also be directly involved. Former Mayor Joseph D. Scholtz, who had left office only a week before and who was to become almost immediately Inspector General of the U.S. Office of Civilian Defense, indicated that the federal program was focused on the disasters that might occur in war-time. The new mayor, Wilson Wyatt, had only sworn in his staff on December 3, and the men leading Louisville had the time had barely had time to move into their new offices. However, the public safety agencies had already begun work on developing a volunteer base and the police department stated their triple communication system, with telephone, radio and the Gamewell system (call boxes) was already organized and operating in the sub-basement of City Hall. Newspaper reports from the time indicate that the war effort was already well-advanced locally, as individual disciplines, police, fire, and health, among others, had realized that war was coming to the United States eventually.
William B. Harrison, formerly a Mayor as well, was put in charge of volunteer personnel by the council.
By mid-December, the council was soliciting volunteers to register to become auxiliary policemen, firemen and air raid wardens. The Council identified an immediate need for 500 men each for police and fire, and 1,000 men and women both for air raid wardens. Volunteers for the police department were directed to apply at their local police stations, of which there were currently only four as two districts worked out of City Hall. For fire, of course, they were to go to the closet fire station as well. For Air Raid Wardens, registration took place at the Jefferson County Armory (now Louisville Gardens). For those outside the city limits, locations were also given. Harrison discouraged those already in the professions considered necessary in an emergency situation not to apply, as they would be needed to perform their regulator duties. He noted there would be further needs identified, such as medical aides, demolition crews, ambulance and rescue crews, as well. The Director of Safety, Col. H. Watson Lindsey, along with Police Chief Arthur Kimberling and Fire Chief John Krusenklaus, would make the initial selections for the men needed for training in their respective agencies. (Col. Kimberling was so well respect he had already been offered a full time position by the federal government in civil defense.) First Aid, it was noted, would be provided first. 120 women volunteers were in charge of the actual registrations.
On December 31, 1941, they announced that the first 500 police auxiliaries had been chosen and were being notified by postcards that they would start training on January 5, 1942. Over 3,000 men had applied and Col. Kimberling emphasized that Louisville was going to need more air raid wardens, so those not selected initially would be called upon to handle that responsibility. The men would train using the Handbook for Auxiliary Police, produced by the Office of Civilian Defense, supplemented by the specialized knowledge of the police officer instructors. Col. Kimberling noted that they would not have authority unless activated. Their first time to serve would likely be in a test black-out, but that had not yet been scheduled. They would be expected, if activated, to enforce a black-out, direct traffic, control crowds and generally assist other public safety.
Just goes to show, when the going gets tough, the tough show up and get to work! Remember the names, you will hear more about them. And yes, you can read the training manual too, just click here!
