Fonds CR-106 - Saanich Civil Defence Association fonds

Civil Defence was set up originally as a federal program, but was administered at the local level. It was operated largely by volunteers from the community. Its purpose was to provide emergency aid in time of enemy attack or natural disaster. Until 1962, civil defence operations fell under the Greater Victoria Civil Defence Committee. In 1964, Saanich was divided into 9 warden districts. Within these districts, volunteers trained at the Provincial Civil Defence College at 33 Dallas Road. Volunteers performed many functions. They set up a Meals-On-Wheels program, aided police and firefighters as auxiliary forces, and prepared for fires, floods, earthquakes and other disasters. By the time The Saanich Civil Defence Association was established in 1965, each municipality was responsible for administering its own programme. Mr. Dave W.R. Smith became Saanich’s Civil Defence coordinator. Under his direction Rescue Service, Radiological Service, Auxiliary Fire Service, and Warden Service were established. After Dave Smith died in 1967, a trophy was awarded in his memory to the best Civil Defence worker each year. The first meeting of the Saanich Civil Defence Association was held on January 20th 1965, at which time the constitution and bylaws were approved. The association was divided into Rescue, Radef (Radiological Detection Service), Auxiliary Fire, Auxiliary Police, Telecommunications (Intelligence), Warden and Welfare (Feeding with Mobile van) divisions. Headquarters of the group was at the municipal complex at 770 Vernon Avenue after 1965. In 1963 Ken Middleton accepted the position of Deputy-Controller for the Municipal Emergency Government Headquarters at Duncan. The site was to house temporary government facilities in case of nuclear attack on Greater Victoria. In 1968, he was appointed Head of Welfare Feeding and Supply Officer at a salary of $25 per month from the Saanich Civil Defence Association. The same year, it was decided to use Claremont Senior Secondary School and Colquitz Junior Secondary School for welfare centres in case of natural disaster. By 1977 the organization had ceased to operate.