Civil Defense Agency
Arizona State Library, Archives & Records COVID-19 Response
- Our number one goal is to keep the public and our employees safe
- The situation related to COVID-19 is rapidly developing, as is the response from this office and the state. Please check back regularly for updates
- We are committed to providing continuity of services while reducing exposure risks
- In-person trainings for ALL divisions are on hold until further notice. Divisions will hold trainings by webinar as needed.
- Department staff will attend community meetings virtually or by phone, when available.
- Services impacted:
- In-person Patent and Trademark Resource Center consultations
- In-person retrieval and immediate checkout of materials to patrons of Arizona Talking Book Library
- Walk-in reference service for Archives & the Research Library. Research & reference services are now offered by appointment only. Please contact us here to request an appointment.
- Ask a Question - online reference service
- Digital Arizona Library, including statewide electronic resources
- Records retention schedules assistance
- Arizona Talking Book Library requests and link to downloads
- Tools and resources for library staff
- Online continuing education for library staff
- Consulting for library staff on grants, electronic resources, digital inclusion efforts, Public Library Survey and all library services
- Communications channel for County Librarians
- E-rate Services offered online and by phone
- Arizona Capitol Museum Giftshop orders can still be placed online
- Arizona Capitol Museum collections can be viewed online through the Arizona Memory Project and Google Cultural Institute
- Arizona Capitol Museum staff can respond to email and phone call inquiries.
______________
______________
______________
______________
______________
______________
______________
______________
Find a document in the Arizona State Library catalog that would be a good addition to this topic? Have a suggestion for another Arizona Research Topic? Contact us.
After World War II ended, the possibility of a nuclear war seemed imminent to Americans. Civil Defense Agencies were formed at the national, state, and local levels, and worked together to prepare for nuclear attack. In 1953, the Western US and Canadian provinces acted out an attack scenario called Operation Beware to test civil defense agencies’ readiness for a nuclear attack.
Read About It
Use the document analysis sheet and the photograph analysis sheet to uncover clues about the people that created the documents.
- Letter from Arthur E Parmer to Col. Quinton C. Harvey, August 1, 1952
- Report to the Governor on activities from June 13, 1951 to December 31, 1952
- Incident Report Form
- Copy of a letter from George B. Owen to county Civil Defense directors, May 22, 1953
- Bulletin describing general situation for Operation Beware, June 20, 1953
- Letter from Grace E. Doebler to Col. Quinton C. Harvey, May 26, 1953
- Letter from L. C. Boies to George B. Owen, June 22, 1953
- Log of operations for Yavapai County Civil Defense Agency during Operation Beware, June 20, 1953
- Report on Tucson/Pima County Civil Defense Services as to willingness and preparedness to operate in June 20th ALERT
Understand It
- Which earlier Arizona agency does the Civil Defense Agency resemble? How are the two similar, and how are they different?
- Who created the documents linked above? What role did they play in Operation Beware?
- Do you think the civil defense agencies that participated in Operation Beware would have been ready for a real nuclear attack in 1953? Why or why not?
Explore More
Visit the websites below to learn more. Based on this new information, have your answers to the questions above changed?
For Students
- Encyclopedia Britannica Films: Atomic Alert
- Arizona Civil Defense Agency Report to the Governor
- Nebraska Historical Society: Civil Defense
