Looming above civilian activity because of its war sig-
nificance, first aid and water safety training of army and
navy instructors became a major task. Red Cross field rep-
resentatives trained thousands of instructors in the armed
forces. ‘These men in turn instructed military personnel.
Special functional swimming and water safety courses pre-
pared soldiers to take care of themselves in amphibious
operations when loaded down with full equipment. hs
induction civilians, too, received training.

WEATHERING THE STORM

IDWEST floods and southwest tornadoes swelled the
number of national disasters to above average. Feed-
ing, clothing, housing, and medical care were supplied with
dispatch. All chapters maintained their service units in
readiness to meet natura. disaster of all types—storm, flood,
fire—and. to assist local emergency defense councils with
civilian aid in case of enemy action, in accordance with
agreements with the federal Offices of Civilian Defense and
Defense Health and Welfare Services.

Government services cooperated as always in providing
the Red Cross with advance storm warnings, in furnishing
army cots, blankets, and other emergency supplies, and the
several departments offered other aid as called for under
special circumstances.

Rehabilitation continued as an important part of this
service. This included not only repair and restoration of
homes and household effects, but long-time hospitalization
in many cases, and vocational training. The issuing of pri-

 

[ 20 ]