HomeMy WebLinkAboutRemarks on Emergency Planning by George E. Hastings REMARKS BY GEORGE E. HASTINGS
DIRECTOR, OEP REGION 5
BEFORE THE
TEAS CIVIL DEFENSE - DIRECTORS CONFERENCE
AUSTIN, TEXAS - FEB. 1 i, 196+
It is a real pleasure for me to appear before this fourth Annual Conference of
Texas Civil Defense Directors and discuss with you some of the major developments
in the area of emergency planning. During the 14 month period since our last
meeting much has happened to affect our lives and our joint endeavors.
The year 1963 was marked by a tragic event. We endured the shock of a shared loss
when an assassin's bullet struck down President Kennedy in our very midst. Our
system of government underwent a severe test. Today the terrible pain of the late
President's death is only beginning to wear off. The scars, of course, will remain.
Perhaps the greatest memorial we can construct in his honor is to continue the work
he began.
For in the nature of things, the world goes on. Neither our domestic nor cur foreign
problems are in any way diminished when a President dies. Decisions still must be
made and positive leadership asserted, lest we falter and the whole free world be
weakened.
In times of trial this nation has been blessed with amazing good fortune. It
happened again on that black November 22. We have an extraordinarily well qualified
man occupying the highest office in our land and the most critical political post in
the world. Never was a man as fully prepared for the presidency, over so many years
of active participation in the highest councils of government, as President Lyndon B.
Johnson.
His record as majority leader of the Senate is unmatched. His service as Vice
President lifted that office to the highest point it has ever reached. He
participated importantly in the formulation of national security policy -- policy
which he now, as Commander -in- Chief, must see is carried out. We can take great
comfort in his leadership now and tomorrow.
What kind of challenges will confront our nation in 196 Of course the overriding
problems faced by President Johnson are in the critical areas of irritation, growing
out of the cold war and the ideological conflict which has plagued the post -war
world. Last year much progress was recorded, perhaps even a few small steps taken
towards that elusive goal --- A Dependable Peace. They were difficult steps to take.
Each time we inch forward it is against a backdrop of disappointment and despair in
our past dealings with the Communists. "Necessity knows no law" appears to be the
single most important yardstick in the Communist book. It is quite apparent they
feel the need to test the new President -- today it is Panama -- tomorrow, who knows
where?
As President Johnson told the United Nations*General Assembly on December 17,
"All that we have built in the wealth of nations, and all that we plan to do toward
a better life for all, will be in vain if our feet should slip, our vision falter,
and our hopes end in another world -wide war."
"If there is one commitment more than any other that I would leave with you today,
it is my unswerving commitment to the keeping and the strengthening of peace."
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But we should note that the President does not, and will not, seek peace through
appeasement. We are interested in "strengthening of peace," -- NOT in creating
the illusion of peace.
Thus, we must continue to live with a precarious balance, hoping that our deterrent
strength, including civil defense and emergency planning, will continue to serve the
cause of peace in a strife - ridden world.
Let me in a few words distinguish emergency preparedness in general from civil
defense in particular. Civil defense, that is preparation for survival of people
and property, is a primary need and your particular responsibility. There can be
no recovery without survival. On the other hand, survival without the possibility
of the recovery of society is a dubious blessing. Accordingly, civil defense and
emergency preparedness are interdependent and intimately allied, but distinct. We,
in the Office of Emergency Planning, have the responsibility to coordinate the total
nonmilitary defense program, but have a particular responsibility for economic and
governmental preparedness measures aimed at recovery.
In addition to strengthening the federal capability to meet its obligations, we in
OEP have asked the state governments to move forward to meet their responsibilities,
and they have responded well. This is called "the comprehensive program for survival
of government and management of resources."
At the request of OEP, each state and territorial governor has new designated a
director of emergency planning. Some thirty states have formed State Emergency
Resource Planning Committees, composed of state government officials and leaders
of the private sector. Kick -off meetings to inaugurate the programs have been
held, the latest one in Region 5 being in Santa Fe, New Mexico last Thursday.
Tentative plans have been made for the Arkansas meeting later this month,
completing this phase of the program in our region. We have task groups formed
who are concerned with the various resources, such as manpower, electric power,
communications, production, transportation, food, water, health, and the like,
working under the over -all direction of the governors and the Emergency Resource
Planning Committees. Guidance made available to the states for these programs
specifically points out the vital importance of involving groups from the farm and
frcm the city, representatives of producers and consumers, leaders of management
and labor.
The Texas Resource Management Committee was appointed by Governor Daniel, and
remained virtually intact under Governor Connally's leadership. The Committee is
chaired by General James E. Taylor, of Austin, and is ccmpcsed of some 33 out-
standing leaders from government, business, education and
has
completed, however, I am pleased to report that the mane plan
the production task force has gone as far as it can at the present, and the food
plan is presently being drafted by officials of the State Department of Agriculture
and the U. S. D. A.
These state programs received a considerable boost when the Congress, in December,
appropriated $1.5 million to assist the state governments in drafting their
emergency resource management plans. The administrative criteria for eligibility
to receive such assistance have been sent to all governors, and we are receiving a
rapid response from the states. Nearly one quarter of a million dollars will be
available to the states in Region 5 during the next two year period. At this time
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we anticipate participation this year by 4 of our 5 states, Texas being one of them.
This assistance will consist of provision of funds for some of the salaries and
administrative expenses involved in such an undertaking. In addition, travel,
communications and printing costs are provided for. The state contribution to the
effort is in the form of providing an Emergency Planning Director, as well as
administrative costs such as space, supplies, equipment, furniture and fixtures.
A major factor is expected to be the participation, z :•ithcut pay, by leading
private citizens in all parts of the country. 'Their activities are key elements
in the success of the program.
Another aid to emergency planning will be the updating of the National Plan for
emergency preparedness. The plan has not been revised in five years. The new
National Plan is not merely a rewrite of an old document. Nor does it merely update
the old plan. An entirely new format has been adopted which permits more precise
information than was contained in its predecessor. It also contains a more finely
honed set of assumptions on the impact of a nuclear attack on our society. Chapters
of the National Plan are now being issued as they are cleared by interested federal
agencies and others.
A little earlier, we spoke of national guidance that would be available to the
states in the development of their individual plans. One facet of this will be
the issuance of an example state plan for emergency management of resources. This
has been long awaited and greatly needed to help the states fulfill this respon-
sibility. In essence, the example plan explains the aggregate of federal guidance
provided to the states and localities by all departments and agencies concerned
with emergency planning. It also illustrates in everyday language just how a
state should move from a blueprint to a solid structure. I want to stress that OEP
has no intention of carrying the example plan in a single package to the states.
It is intended that each federal agency will assume the responsibility for providing
and adapting those portions of the example plan which lie in their area of cmnpetence
to the individual task forces operating at the state level. The role of OEP is to
coordinate and encourage this action. Let me emphasize also that we have not
formulated this document so that states and subordinate political subdivisions can
merely accept it as their own without change. While we seek a certain degree of
consistency in this nation -wide planning effort, we are not looking for conformity
at the expense of practical working effectiveness responsive to the unique character
of each region, state and county.
This plan should be available for use very soon, for recent discussions have been
held relating to the OEP -OCD relationships and interests in dealing with the states.
As a result of these discussions, an understanding has been reached which spells cut
which agency is responsible for what activities in the federal -state relationships in
furthering emergency management of resource planning. Essentially, the understanding
is that for conservation, distribution and use of secondary resources, OCD is
responsible for rendering guidance and advice; OEP will advise with reference to the
over -all state emergency resource management plan and work with the states in con-
nection with primary resources. This agreement will be reflected in forthcoming
chapters of the National Plan.
We realize that the understanding is not a panacea that will settle each local
situation, but it will provide principles so that the example plan can be adapted
as appropriate in the development of state and local resource plans.
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The formulation of economic preparedness measures, or economic stabilization, is an
area in which OEP has a direct planning mission, and which will be of personal
concern to everyone. This includes the development of standby plans and procedures
to control prices, rents, wages, and the administration of consumer rationing systems.
In a broader field we also coordinate the development by other federal agencies of
plans for emergency financial, monetary and credit controls. Field planning is
well advanced at this stage by the Treasury Department, Federal Reserve Board, and
other support agencies to insure an adequate supply of currency, to keep in
operation an emergency checkclearing mechanism, and to insure continuity of our
credit and monetary systems. The Housing and Home Finance Agency and the Depart-
ment of Labor, respectively, are developing rent control and wage stabilization
procedures for state and local guidance.
You should be particularly interested in the consumer rationing program which falls
directly to states and localities for administration and enforcement in an emergency.
New field guidance now available for this program includes a special kit of
instructions and materials on post - attack food rationing. These kits are presently
in our possession and will be furnished to state planning authorities on the
Governor's request. This would likely be when the task group work had progressed
to the point of effective use of the material. Each instruction kit includes
"Reproduction Proofs" from which local officials can -r.nt a supply of ration cards.
It also contains U. S. Department of Agriculture "Food Consumption Standards"
which would be used as a basis for immediate post - attack food distribution.
Most of you are familiar with the continuity of government program. We have
concentrated to date on promoting legislation in all states for the succession
of public leadership and preservation of civil authority. I am pleased to report
that very favorable progress has been made in all five states of this Region.
The constitutional amendments for continuity of government have been passed in
all states except Arkansas.
New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana have enacted legislation covering
succession of key officials - -- in Executive, Legislative, and Judicial positions.
In the 1963 session of the Texas Legislature, provision was made for executive
succession at the state, county and local level. Succession to the office of the
Governor was previously provided. This legislation provides enabling authority
for the succession in office of key county and municipal officials. But it will
require considerable work on your part to see that each legal political subdivision
takes the necessary steps to enact local ordinances for emergency succession of
your key officials. Your influence as leaders dedicated to the cause of adequate
civil defense and emergency preparedness measures can have great impact on implemen-
tation of this program.
In addition to the succession legislation, the Texas Senate adopted a resolution
calling for a comprehensive study of the State's needs in the field of records
preservation and management. The study is being conducted by the Texas Legislative
Council, and will be reported to the 1965 legislature. It is reasonable to assume
that the report will recommend the legislative measures deemed desirable for the
State.
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In connection with nur natural disaster program, under Public Law 875, for the
State of Texas, there are two contracts we are presently administering with the
Office of Defense and Disaster Relief. These contracts are on account of Hurricane
Carla in September, 1961 and Hurricane Cindy in September, 1963. Both of these
"young ladies" had very bad dispositions, and the results of their erratic
behavior were devastating and costly.
I am sure that many of you were personally affected or were officially engaged in
both of these disasters.
Cn September 16, 1961, the President made a declaration of major natural disaster
for the affected 14 counties and cities therein, resulting in 81 approved appli-
cations which amounted to a total of $4,014,546.00 in federal funds. At the
present time all emergency work on Carla has been completed and vouchers for
expenditures have been approved, except for one voucher submitted by the City of
Edna for debris clearance.
Hurricane Cindy in September, 1963 was considerably smaller and less devastating.
However, what she lacked in size and intensity she equalized by prolonged torrential
rains, high tides and floods. While visiting the disaster area immediately after
Cindy's departure, I was impressed by the vast areas under water, and the intensive
local efforts to control and reduce the damage to public and private properties.
On September 24, 1963, the President made a declaration of major disaster for
Jefferson and Orange Counties and the cities therein. Our Regional Office opened
a temporary disaster office in Port Arthur. It was staffed by State and Federal
representatives. Eleven project applications were submitted to our Regional Office
for actions These were approved by me for a total of $382,303.00. Emergency repair
of damaged public facilities and necessary public health measures are in progress.
Final inspections of approved work will be made of these projects as they are com-
pleted. It is my expectation that vcuchers can then be prepared and state - federal
audits conducted so that in the near future the damage caused by Hurricane Cindy
will be but a memory.
In all of this emergency work relating to Carla and Cindy, there is one importaet
tribute I must mention. The whole- hearted and understanding cooperation provided
me and the staff of our Regional Office by the Governor, members of the Department
cf Public Safety and the Office of Defense and Disaster Relief have been a constant
inspiration. I am convinced that good things can be accomplished in the public
interest when local, state and federal actions are as effective and fruitful as the
partnership between our agency and the State of Texas in these two hurricanes.
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