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Perhaps they didn't initiate the "Civilian Defense Corps" because they didn't have anybody bring that up. It is the first I've heard of it, myself. I'll have to look it up. I agree it would be good to provide civilians an outlet.

In this area, the Homeland Security dept has, in the last couple months, been advertising asking for volunteers for EMT-like duties. Those with such training are of immediate value, and others may apply for lower skill positions. The thing is, it definitely takes time to get these types of programs up and running. I think it is being done to some degree, but perhaps what you suggest would be more extensive.

443 posted on 05/27/2004 6:15:46 AM PDT by AFPhys ((.Praying for President Bush, our troops, their families, and all my American neighbors..))

The Civil (or Civilian) Defense Corps (not sure of the official title) was used in WWII. I think it was dismantled in the mid-1950's. In WWII, civilians were used as coast watchers, air raid wardens, that sort of thing. I think there might have been a similar program during WWI, but am not sure. In any case, local, state and federal police agencies combined do not have enough personnel to cover all possible targets in this vast country. A modern version of the civilian coast watchers and such could mobilize a lot more eyes and ears.