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The article discusses the British view regarding safety issues in nuclear power plants, based from the paper presented to the Norwegian Atomic Energy Society. According to the author, all activities involve some risk of harm to people either through direct participation or indirectly. However, it is hoped that the risks will be minimized and more than compensated for by attendant advantages. Thus, minimum performance requirements for a large range of plant used may be able to reduce accident frequencies to levels below a pre-set target. Moreover, the British Atomic Energy Authority is sponsoring and developing techniques for the better understanding of reactor accidents and their consequences.

A note by RAO ["Counterexamples for the Location of Emergency Service Facilities," Opns. Res. 22, 1259-1261 (1974)] comments on a paper by TOREGAS, SWAIN, REVELLE, AND BERGMAN [Opns. Res. 19, 1363-1373 (1971)]. This note extends the discussion by suggesting how the difficulties identified by Rao can be overcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the effects of thermonuclear weapon and the technical information needed for civil defense planning in the U.S. According to the author, the type and extent of damage to persons and property are the major requirements of an effective civil defense plan. He suggests to consider the bomb size and the effects of different levels of blast and radiated thermal energy. Moreover, the author cites some preparations which could provide the greatest chance for saving lives and property including warning system, evacuation centers, and first aid training and equipment.

An urban emergency service system provides mobile units (vehicles) to respond to requests for service which can occur at any time and any place throughout a city. This paper describes the common characteristics and operational problems of these systems and surveys the various methods, both traditional and recently developed, which may be used for allocating their units. Aspects of allocation policy discussed include (1) determining the number of units to have on duty, (2) locating the units, (3) designing their response areas or patrol areas, (4) relocating units, and (5) planning preventive-patrol patterns for police cars. Typical policy changes which may be suggested by the use of quantitative allocation models include selective queuing of low priority calls, varying the number of units on duty (and their locations) by time of day, dispatching units other than the closest ones to certain incidents, relocating units as unavailabilities begin to develop, and assigning police cars to overlapping patrol sectors. As a result of making such changes, it is often possible to reduce queuing and travel time delays, improve the balance of workload among units, and enhance the amount of preventive patrol where needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a utility analysis of post-disaster co-operation among the affected community. Social scientists have argued that, immediately following a disaster, co-operation increases within the community affected. They suggest that economic theory, if correctly interpreted, already implies an increase in post-disaster charity. For example, the utility maximization hypothesis implies that, after a disaster, at least some forms of charity will increase. So, structural changes in individual utility functions are not a necessary condition for explaining the behavior observed.

The article presents a discussion on the economic actions immediately following a limited disaster, that is, a catastrophe affecting only a small region. Most supply and demand problems being faced by an area hit by a natural disaster are generally short-run in nature because of the aid forthcoming from outside regions. Even when the threat of shortages does exist, the concern of residents in the community for the plight of others helps to minimize serious problems during the emergency period. Also, from the economic point of view it is important to note that post-disaster behavior by individuals helps to eliminate a source of demand for some commodities, thereby tending to keep prices lower than they would be if the same conditions of scarcity arose in a more normal impersonal market situation.

The article reports that the Dedham, Massachusetts Fabric Research Laboratories Inc. has supplied 4000 feet of one-quarter inch polybenzimidazole (PBI) space rope for the Skylab Project of the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA). Accordingly, the emergency request of space rope from the Johnson Spacecraft Center has put the company to work on overtime. The rope, accordingly, is a highly flame resistant, non-smoking product designed to be used by the three Skylab astronauts in their efforts to secure a protective heat shield to the exterior of the orbiting laboratory.

The article reports that U.S. President John F. Kennedy has moved to get civil defense out of the doldrums after years of indecision and inaction under the Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower administrations. One final element in the consideration of civil defense and stable deterrence is whether or not the Soviet Union has undertaken the civil defense program. The deterrent effect flows from the fact that shelter and evacuation arrangements would markedly modify a key variable in the strategic calculation of Soviet Union.

The article discusses the impact of nuclear mass fires on humanity and the environment. Recently, mass fires are considered as the major effects of nuclear detonations because they can contribute extensive damage for greater distances and with a high number of casualties. The overall fire effects following nuclear attack will depend on some factors such as the number and distribution of ignitions produces, the weather and topographic features which influence the fire spread, and the fire control action taken before and after the attack. The author suggests that an appropriate fire control action should be employed to reduce the fire effects.

The article offers a look on the public hearings relative to civil defense in the U.S. conducted by House subcommittee, headed by Representative Chet Holifield. The author stresses that the immediate purpose of the hearings was to poll opinion on two resolutions which had been referred to the Subcommittee and which addressed with a new organizational structure for civil defense. She believes that the real intent of the inquiry was much more comprehensive and far-reaching. For her, it was an attempt to discover what was being done about civil defense by the federal government.

The article presents a discussion on the dynamics of fire-fighting with emphasis on fire effects of atomic bombs. The author makes a distinction between a conflagration and a fire storm whose difference he cites as the basis for fire-fighting requirements, utilities, and city planning in general in preparation of a nuclear attack. Likewise, civil defense measures should be based on the effects of such attacks. Defense measures should be made in consideration of atomic bomb effects which includes blast effect, radiated heat, and secondary fires.

The article focuses on the crisis intervention program conducted after the June 1972 flood disaster in Pennsylvania. The precedent recovery program for the disaster, caused by Hurricane Agnes, involved mental health authorities through the aid of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) grant. The project was designed on a crisis intervention model using 63 trained human counselors from the neighborhood. In the first eight months of the project, 1500 cases were opened which included the problems in consumer and contractor complaints, alcohol abuse, and emotional disturbance. Moreover, the project reflects an example of a relief program emphasizing psychological and psychosocial aftereffects of tragedy.

The purpose of this study was to examine English-Canadian and French-Canadian children's attitudes toward the October Crisis in Quebec. Three questions were examined. In the first place, the data indicated that all children were well aware of the kidnapping of Cross and the murder of Laporte. But many young children tended to assign the responsibility for these events on the basis of cultural rather than political memberships Second, the data indicated that French-Canadian children were frequently critical of the Canadian government's application of emergency measures. Finally, the findings revealed that while most children were critical of the actions of the Front du Liberation du Quebec, some backlash of sympathy for the terrorists occurred among French-Canadians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to a massive flood which struck the metropolitan area of Denver, Colorado, June 16, 1965, approximately 3,700 families were evacuated from their homes. Interviews with a random sample of 278 of these families indicated that the initial response to warnings was marked disbelief regardless of warning source. Families evacuated as units, and data indicated a strong tendency for them to take refuge in homes of relatives rather than in official centers. This tendency was significantly affected by social class. Data further suggested that interaction between relatives during the warning period increased the likelihood that relative homes would be selected as evacuation points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inverse square-root function is developed for the relation between average response distance and the number of locations at which response units are stationed in a region. Analysis of theoretical models, simulation data, and empirical measurements are used to confirm the square-root model. The square-root response distance model is combined with response distance-response time relations to resolve decision problems important to the management of urban fire departments. The results can be used to find optimal resource allocations given resource constraints and response time standards, or to describe the response time consequences of proposed allocation plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents directions and rules that are intended to reduce hazards in science teaching. In their own interests, all supervisors, teachers and laboratory assistants in science education need to acquaint themselves with the rules and precautions to safeguard pupils and teachers alike. The guidelines include: directions to science chairmen; general directions for science teachers and laboratory assistants; safety suggestions for teachers and pupils of chemistry and general science; and safety regulations for teachers of physics, physics, biology and general science.

In this article, the author isolates three psychological factors which seem to produce positive attitudes toward civilian defense. They are motivation, information and evaluation. These determinants of attitudes toward participation in civil defense have been analyzed according to a conceptual scheme which was suggested by sociologist Talcott Parson's "general theory of action." This approach has proved fruitful in isolating three psychological factors motivation, information and evaluation which are postulated as producing positive attitudes. The empirical relations obtained from the present data attest to the usefulness of the conceptual model. They also suggest certain interrelations among the theoretical variables which may have general application to other problems. Some implications of the empirical results for civil defense recruiting campaigns have been suggested.

The article reports on the significant role played by military scientists in future wars. Scientists offers various contributions in the country's military operations, including protection of the civil defense, providing scientific assistance to the military defense, and the development of advance weaponry. The establishment of the Scientists' Corps helps in gaining awareness of their duties and responsibilities, as well as enhancement of scientific potential in the field of military services. It is believed that proper training and educational program for scientists can help the country in addressing the threats of national emergency.

The article reports developments related to civil defense in the U.S. Colleges and universities suggest that the Federal government adopt a comprehensive program against atomic, biological and chemical warfare to achieve an effective civil defense. The Federal Civil Defense Administration Advisory (FCDA) has defined conditions of warnings which were disseminated to inform civilians of indications whether there is a danger of enemy attack or that the danger has passed. The FCDA has also published a technical bulletin which describes new facilities for rescue training programs.

The article focuses on the activities of the National Security Resources Board (NSRB) Civilian Defense Office. Before June 1951, the office will issue about thirty basic information manuals. A federal civil defense college is planned for the near future for further studies and trainings of the agency's human resources. The agency has also issued the NSRB Document 128/1 to the nation’s governors and mayors discussing the patterns of civil defense activity in typical American cities. In addition, it has created a general committee and five task groups to conduct an air transport mobilization survey.

This note gives two counterexamples to the single-cut procedure of TOREGAS, SWAIN, REVELLE, AND BERGMAN [Opns. Res. 19, 1353-1373 (1971)] for solving the simple set-covering problem: the first shows that a single cut may not always be sufficient, the second that the cut may not always result in an integer optimal solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses on the basic problem that has been faced by the civil defense organization planners involving the scientific advances of nuclear weapons in the U.S. Val Peterson, federal civic defense administrator stresses on the three factors which includes warning time, dispersal or thin-out of congested population and shelters in answering the critical problems. According to the author, the announcement released by the Federal Civil Defense Administration (FCDA) of policy forecast relative to early warning of air attacks and population dispersal contributed impulsion in the deliberation of the basic problem. The civil defense organizations have been voicing out its objections on the FCDA's forecast of policy on population dispersal.

The article reports on the conference called by Administrator Millard Caldwell of the Federal Civil Defense Administration (FCDA) to arouse public interest in immediate civil defense preparation. The purpose of the conference is to educate civil leaders in spearheading a program of education. Several speeches discuss the importance of the ability of the people to recover from attack and the ability of people to keep on fighting in deterring other nations from starting a war with the United States.

The article reflects the views of the city mayors in the U.S. regarding the civil defense plan, penned by the National Security Resources Board. In their meeting in Washington D.C. early in October 1950, they criticize the plan due to the fact that it is vague and lacks clarity or distinctness. San Francisco, California Mayor Elmer Robinson voiced the general opinion of the mayor stressing that civil defense is the step-child of the government. He demanded to know why the government had not determined how much it would spend on civil defense so that local governments could make their supplemental appropriations.

The article announces the progress of state legislation related to civil defense in the U.S. The National Security Resources Board (NSRB) declared that twenty states now had new civil defense laws, fourteen states had laws based on World War II legislation, and fourteen states had civil defense agencies by executive order. Also reported were the nine states having a one-year civil defense appropriations. They include, among others, California, $400,000; New York, $100,000; Massachusetts, $150,000; and District of Columbia, $100,000.

The article examines the civil defense plan in the U.S., prepared by the National Security Resources Board. The plan, which given favorable approval from President Harry Truman, has now been read and considered by the mayors of leading cities and all those directing the local civil defense programs. The mayors, upon examination of the plan, described the plan as a simple reproduction of the Hopley report and that the situation is little advanced beyond that subsisting before the NSRB began its consideration of the problem. Likewise, the director of the Office of Civil Defense in World War II James M. Landis stresses that the defense plan appears to be more like for World War II. Analyses and views of the author are presented.