Civil Defence Information Bulletin
Encyclopedia
Civil Defence Information Bulletin were a series of seven public information films dealing with civil defence
measures individuals and families could take in the event of a nuclear attack
on Great Britain. They produced for the Home Office
and the Scottish Home and Health Department by RHR Productions United Kingdom
in 1964. The writer was Nicolas Alwyn and the producer Ronald H. Riley. The films are in black and white.
In the event of an international crisis, these films were to be broadcast by all television networks in the U.K., in much the same manner as the Protect and Survive
films were to be broadcast in the 1980s. It refers to Civil Defence Handbook No. 10, entitled "Advising the Householder on Protection against Nuclear Attack."
Note: the grey warning was discontinued after 1968.
The series is currently viewable on YouTube
. The films themselves are as follows:
Peter Watkins' 1965 documentary The War Game
speculated on the practical implications of trying to follow the instructions with inadequate time before an attack.
Civil defense
Civil defense, civil defence or civil protection is an effort to protect the citizens of a state from military attack. It uses the principles of emergency operations: prevention, mitigation, preparation, response, or emergency evacuation, and recovery...
measures individuals and families could take in the event of a nuclear attack
Nuclear warfare
Nuclear warfare, or atomic warfare, is a military conflict or political strategy in which nuclear weaponry is detonated on an opponent. Compared to conventional warfare, nuclear warfare can be vastly more destructive in range and extent of damage...
on Great Britain. They produced for the Home Office
Home Office
The Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for immigration control, security, and order. As such it is responsible for the police, UK Border Agency, and the Security Service . It is also in charge of government policy on security-related issues such as drugs,...
and the Scottish Home and Health Department by RHR Productions United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1964. The writer was Nicolas Alwyn and the producer Ronald H. Riley. The films are in black and white.
In the event of an international crisis, these films were to be broadcast by all television networks in the U.K., in much the same manner as the Protect and Survive
Protect and Survive
Protect and Survive was a public information series on civil defence produced by the British government during the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was intended to inform British citizens on how to protect themselves during a nuclear attack, and consisted of a mixture of pamphlets, radio broadcasts,...
films were to be broadcast in the 1980s. It refers to Civil Defence Handbook No. 10, entitled "Advising the Householder on Protection against Nuclear Attack."
The Films
Topics included in the films include:- The effects of nuclear weaponNuclear weaponA nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
s: heat, shock wave, and falloutFalloutFallout or nuclear fallout is the residual radiation hazard from a nuclear explosion.Fallout may also refer to:*Fallout , a 1997 post-apocalyptic computer role-playing game released by Interplay Entertainment... - Measures to mitigate the effects of the initial heat and blast
- Preparing a fallout roomFallout shelterA fallout shelter is an enclosed space specially designed to protect occupants from radioactive debris or fallout resulting from a nuclear explosion. Many such shelters were constructed as civil defense measures during the Cold War....
- Supplies to stock and how to arrange them
- Attack warning signals: Red, attack imminent; Grey, fallout expected within the hour; Black, fallout expected immediately; all-clear
- Immediate steps to protect oneself during the initial heat and blast, with actions similar to the U.S. Civil Defence film Duck and CoverDuck and CoverDuck and Cover are a hard rock band from Pretoria. Duck and Cover have established their presence in the local South African music scene during 4 years of gigs, festivals, concerts and publicity. The band relies on 70s rock and metal, as well as more contemporary rock music influences to guarantee...
- Steps to take immediately after a blast but before fallout arrives
- Steps to take after fallout clears
- How to prepare for evacuation
Note: the grey warning was discontinued after 1968.
The series is currently viewable on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
. The films themselves are as follows:
- 1: The Hazards
- 2: Protective Measures
- 3:
- 4: Preparing The House
- 5: Warnings
- 6: What To Do Immediately After An Attack
- 7: Life Under Fallout Conditions
Peter Watkins' 1965 documentary The War Game
The War Game
The War Game is a 1965 television documentary-style drama depicting the effects of nuclear war on Britain. Written, directed, and produced by Peter Watkins for the BBC's The Wednesday Play anthology series, it caused dismay within the BBC and in government and was withdrawn from television...
speculated on the practical implications of trying to follow the instructions with inadequate time before an attack.