Maryland. This is an undertaking perhaps without equal in the
nation. I know that you, who are so close to the program, can com-
prehend its significance. Surveying all of our national buildings and
then computing their adequacy as a refuge from lethal radioactive
fallout was a monumental task, but not one from which our federal
Civil Defense officials shied away. This survey was accomplished by
what was a relatively short span of time and was done in an amazingly
competent manner. The federal government would never have under-
taken such a project had it not been for its realization that dedicated
officials on the state and local level would do their part in the program.
I believe that in your contacts with the public and with other govern-
mental officials you should stress this accomplishment most strongly.
It is something of which we are quite proud. It is tangible proof that
Civil Defense is moving — moving with speed toward the goal of
protection. The public cannot learn about this unless you blow your
own horn a little.

General Van Brunt told me recently that nearly 700, 000 shelter
spaces have been licensed and marked in Maryland. Here we have in
one package, so to speak, the capability of saving 700, 000 lives of
our fellow Marylanders. Already more than half of these spaces have
been stocked with the survival items with which you are so familiar.
This is the part of the program for which you in this room were
personally responsible, and I hasten to offer my congratulations for
a job well done.

Just recently, I had the opportunity of participating in the formal
opening ceremonies of a new facility at College Park, the expanded
Fire Service and Civil Defense Training Center. The new structures
that comprise this center will fill a much needed demand in our State.
We see here again evidence of State agencies working together for
the benefit of all Marylanders. The mission of the Fire Service is not
far removed from that of Civil Defense. This is typified at the Uni-
versity of Maryland center. Both fire departments and civil defense
have constant need for well-trained personnel to carry out their duties.
Also, they have the similar need of providing training and guidance
for others of our population who are not as well-versed in the activity.
The expanded program at College Park opens broad, new, and
promising horizons. The cooperation of the two agencies, the Mary-
land Civil Defense Agency, and the Fire Service Extension, in plan-
ning for the construction and guiding it to completion, is most
heartening. The forthcoming coordinate training program will be
an achievement of more than moderate consequences.

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