The History
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"Our history, It’s worth repeating" Way back when, lets say around the 1940's, with America digging itself out of a long and tedious depression, with threats of European conflicts springing up, all over, thanks to Adolph Hitler and his companions, a restless government commenced immediate steps to protect and provide needed manpower, equipment, supplies and surveillances throughout the U.S. of A, which included every city, town and hamlet in then, our 48 states. Difficulty does arise, as it is today, in asking citizens to volunteer their time, their knowledge and most assuredly, their patriotism, in assembling such a group, however not such the case in our city. Why were they needed, you may ask? If you examine our coastline, which hasn't changed too much, you will find that the city of Newburyport is one of the closest landmarks to Europe, where all the action was taking place. Who will guard and search the coastlines? Who will man the shelters? Who will handle and stock supplies? Who will walk the streets observing if any lighting at night was evident, even to vehicles not painting their headlights black, half-way? Thus was born, your local civil defense. No, not called by that name, but were referred to as "the citizens army", "air-raid wardens", or just answering" when called, by their first name. Who came forward, you ask? Men, women, children, citizens too old for enlistment in the armed forces, citizens with conditions preventing them from joining, the red cross volunteers, the salvation army, and any person that could lend a hand. If time and work were documented, locally, countless hours of dedication and achievements were credited by our forefathers. Yes, you the reader, may recall your grandmother or grandfather who boastfully said that they were a part of this page in history. If so, give them a pat on the back, as that was all to be expected from these great "un-sung" heroes of yesteryear.
We, in emergency management as known today, honor our forbearers by prominently displaying the original air-raid warden helmets at our emergency headquarters, and worn by the civil defense color guard in parades and holiday observances.
World War II Air Raid Warden Helmets The familiar air raid warden helmets, worn by volunteers during this crucial period of our history. The helmets, now displaying a chrome finish, are used by the Newburyport Civil Defense Color Guard, appearing in parades and holiday observances.
The 40’s & 50’s Nationally, as well as the State of Massachusetts, documented very little as far a Civil Defense activities were concerned, however, the city of Newburyport, its director and staff of volunteers visualized a need for extending it war time duties and expertise to peacetime needs. It is even questionable if, at this period of the century, it was called civil defense" Locally, the name of Albert, "Al", Lattime comes to mind. Many of us remember "Al", as a prominent sign painter. Although not fully organized, the agency and its volunteer members saw a urgent need to continue its work in many aspects of city life. It was obvious in the 40's, as it is in the 90's, that a headquarters be established, equipment needs to be purchased, volunteer manpower be sought, and goals and objectives be established. Although no agency, a budget or direction was forthcoming by the city, Director Lattime considered the "grandfather of the civil defense agency came in to being. A series of headquarters was used throughout the city, including Headquarters at the former Moultonville School in the west end of the city, and finally, a permanent home at central headquarters in market square. This move proved worthwhile, as t the Newburyport fire chief, Herbert Bryant became a valuable ally to the agency, furnishing space, equipment, forming an auxiliary department, and utilizing the agency in drills, exercises and emergency situations, i.e., Fires, hurricanes, snow storms and back-up manpower to both fire and police departments. Our former city marshal, James Sullivan also was a friend of civil defense, offering any assistance needed to establish the agency. One notable document is on display at headquarters, describing a civil defense drill under the director of Director Lattime. Under the office of the chief executive, Mayor Andrew J. Gillis, a mock disaster was carried out, no doubt successfully. A picture of Director Lattime, along with former city councilors are shown below.
The 50's continued…… Ambitious, as well as a determined director, along with equally dedicated citizens, accomplished many progressive innovations of this volunteer group during this period in history. Headquarters for the "civil defense were established training 'of personnel in first aid, rescue squads to assist police and fire departments came into being, as well as the commencement of the auxiliary police department, a group that supplemented our local police department where manpower was urgently needed.
The auxiliary fire department, again made up of volunteers, came in to being, and were primarily used to supplement Newburyport permanent firefighters in situations such as grass fires, incidents at Plum Island, and equipment needs when called for. Yes, the 40's and the 50's proved a crucial foundation For Civil Defense, through the efforts of Director Lattime and his citizen volunteers.
The 60' s It was common throughout the history of civil defense, as it is today, to select a director who is willing & able to carry out the many responsibilities of this volunteer organization. As in the selection of Director Lattime, the task was given to Frederick Smith, a Newburyporter, with a background of leadership, knowledge, and noted for "getting the job done" !
Fortunately, the "bomb threats" of the 60's came to pass, however, Director "Fred" Smith and his staff were prepared and ready.
Click picture for larger view
The community shelter plan Shown, on the next page, is a copy of the front cover of the combined communities of Newburyport, Amesbury, Newbury, Rowley, Salisbury and West Newbury. Thousands of these handouts were distributed, that contained information on a warning attach, what to do, where to go, and how to build a nuclear protection shelter. Signatures of city and town officials, upon approval of the pamphlet, was signed on April 22, 1968. A copy of the of the signatures below, which include former Mayor Byron J. Matthews.
Shelter supplies pictured are cans and containers of water that Newburyport had an abundant supply of during the "cold war". Carbohydrate . candy, hard tact, k rations, and other survival material has since been disposed of. Medical supplies that could be salvaged, were sent by the civil defense agency to Mother Theresa, Calcutta, India.
The 60’s and the 70’s
In 1967 the directorship of civil
defense was given to Warren E. Simmons. Warren, a popular local
businessman with an extended background in law enforcement as a police
officer and
For the first time, a citizen would recognize the civil defense department, as all members became uniformed, with their own ID Patches, and radio equipment, as well as motorized vehicles, i.e., the amphibious "duck", used in many rescues and evacuations, along with a command post truck . Director Simmons had the longest tenure of any director, thus far, accruing 15 years of leadership and dedication.
As the threat of nuclear war still existed in 1967, Director Simmons and his trained volunteers continued this important public safety task, and added new members, sort out and achieved more equipment, upgraded the emergency operating center, responded, with manpower to all major incidents and gained respect throughout the national and state agencies by the many awards and recognition to the Newburyport agency. Photos of the director and some of his equipment and manpower are shown on the next page.
In honor of this director's contribution, his badge and awards are proudly displayed in the emergency operating center. Director Simmons died in 1986.
The 8O' s Keeping in mind that Director Simmons had a tenure of over 14 years, spanning the 70's, 80's, a new director, upon Director Simmon's death, was hard to come by, but Newburyport, known for its gifted citizens, found Lance Broat, a person with a background of organizing, leadership, and detail. Although his term was short lived, due to occupation transfer to New York, Director Broat was faced with chemical laws being enacted, a nuclear plant under construction, as well as supervising volunteer personnel previously established. Committees were formed, nuclear issues were debated, citizen "right to-know" came into effect. Yes, although Director Broat only had a short term, these new laws and many issues effecting public safety were handled professionally by Lance, and is credited for the ground work of the agency's role in emergency preparedness into the 90's. Where does the city look for another director with equal qualifications as its predecessors? The term" ask a busy man" , if you want the job done is the answer, and local native David Murray, a family man, a former city councilor, a Kiwanian, a Yankee Homecoming Chairperson, a housing authority member, and yes, a worker, stepped forward. Director Murray walked into the same laws, the same nuclear plant issues, the same responsibilities. One can imagine the number of meetings, locally and on a state level. The number of public meetings, the number of committee meetings chaired and records kept, are just a few of the tasks this director faced. Again, the city came up with another winner, as many of the issues were resolved, paving the way of establishing set goals in emergency response regardless of the incident or disaster. Director Murray, due to occupation requirements, now resides in Hampton, New Hampshire, but continues to consult and advise the present director on emergency matters.
The 80's and 90’s In 1986, Ralph Ayers, a former city councilor, and chairperson on the council's public safety committee, a Kiwanian and former chairperson of Yankee Homecoming, similar to former director Murray, was asked by Director Murray and former Mayor Peter J. Matthews to take the directorship. Drastic changes in the civil defense structure, having begun under director Broat and Murray, were peaking with the federal chemical laws, the building Seabrook nuclear plant, the citizens to-know laws, plus the need to build volunteer manpower in the agency. Further needs for emergency vehicles and supporting equipment, and the modernizing of the emergency operating center, were high priorities for director Ayers. Recruiting of volunteer personnel began immediately, and the agency now boasts of 22 trained members, capable of responding to all major incidents in the city. With the acquisition of three emergency vehicles, fully equipped, the agency is capable to perform services to other emergency departments and, over the past 10 years, to perform mutual aid to neighboring towns & cities.
During this period, the Newburyport emergency planning committee was formed, the primary purpose to be the watch guard for chemicals used stored & transported in and out of the city. This committee is still ongoing, and has been credited by the state of Massachusetts s a role model for other cities. The agency, now fully uniformed, with its own identity patches& badges, broadened its services by assisting in traffic and pedestrian safety for many annual events the city, especially for Yankee homecoming week and annual marathons. The agency, now known as the Newburyport emergency management agency, but still under the civil defense recognition, wears many "hats", but its ongoing commitment of volunteer service to Newburyport citizens, remains,-as our forefathers envisioned. The emergency management agency, its director and staff sincerely trust you have enjoyed this "thumbnail" sketch of the agency from its meager beginning to its present status in the state and in the city. It should be noted, for history's sake, that an agency of this importance operates on the smallest budget, relying on the generosity of merchants, businesses and citizens, in many cases, just to function. By the same token, when the agency's manpower and equipment is used, and for whatever reason, the costs to the taxpayer is negligent, due mainly to the wonderful citizens, commonly known as "volunteers". As you continue to scan through the following pages, make special note of the 1995 volunteer staff, possibly your neighbor, your husband, your wife, your boyfriend or girlfriend, or just a passing acquaintance. In any case, give them a pat on the back for a job well done, "cause in all walks of life in volunteerism, this is all they ask and expect. Yes, civil defense, emergency management or what ever you wish to call us, is alive and well in the 90's as it was in the 40's, thanks to the directors and hundreds of volunteers who have made it possible"
God bless. This information has been made available to you by the members and volunteers of Newburyport Civil Defense/ Emergency Management. We are grateful to have such leaders in our department. Please click here for CREDITS
LOOKING FOR HISTORICAL Photo's !! If you have any historical photo's or stories of Newburyport Civil Defense or Emergency management you would like to share, please mail webmaster@newburyportoem.com Thank you, Don DeGloria Jr. |
Unfortunately, along came the threats of
a nuclear attack from our WW II Allies, the Russians, who had the
capability of sending a missile our way. Director Smith, along with a
well trained group of volunteers, already trained in all phases of
emergencies, a well organized emergency operating center, and a fair
amount of equipment on hand, accepted the task for preparing such an
attack, with the assistance of the federal and state civil defense
departments. All kinds of equipment, stock and procedures came pouring
into the city, that included cots, blankets, communication equipment,
canned water, hardtack, medical supplies and procedure manuals to
follow. Much of the stock and equipment was stored in designated "bomb"
shelters, i.e., City hall, the post office, school buildings, and the
National Guard Armory. The "shelter" signs are still evident on these
buildings in the 90's. This era of civil defense placed a great burden
on the director & volunteers, however, under director smith, the civil
defense agency was able, through government grants, to secure space at
the Newburyport high school basement for their emergency operating
center, which is still its "home base" in the 90's. 
