1176 LAWS OF MARYLAND [CH. 410

WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States of America has
enacted the procedure for granting its consent to civil defense
compacts by an Act entitled "Federal Civil Defense Act of
1950" (Public Law 920, 81st Congress, Second Session, ap-
proved January 12, 1951); and

WHEREAS, the State of Maryland contemplates entering
into civil defense compacts with other States, possessions and
territories of the United States and with the District of Colum-
bia, substantially in the form following:

INTERSTATE CIVIL DEFENSE AND DISASTER COMPACT

The contracting States solemnly agree::

ARTICLE 1. The purpose of this compact is to provide mutual
aid among the States in meeting any emergency or disaster
from enemy attack or other cause (natural or otherwise)
including sabotage and subversive acts and direct attacks by
bombs, shellfire, and atomic, radiological, chemical, bacterio-
logical means, and other weapons. The prompt, full and effec-
tive utilization of the resources of the respective States, in-
cluding such resources as may be available from the United
States Government or any other source, are essential to the
safety, care and welfare of the people thereof in the event of
enemy action or other emergency, and any other resources, in-
cluding personnel, equipment or supplies, shall be incorporated
into a plan or plans of mutual aid to be developed among the
Civil Defense agencies or similar bodies of the States that are
parties hereto. The Directors of Civil Defense of all party
States shall constitute a committee to formulate plans and
take all necessary steps for the implementation of this com-
pact.

ARTICLE 2. It shall be the duty of each party State to formu-
late civil defense plans and programs for application within
such State. There shall be frequent consultation between the
representatives of the States and with the United States Gov-
ernment and the free exchange of information and plans, includ-
ing inventories of any materials and equipment available for
civil defense. In carrying out such civil defense plans and
programs the party states shall so far as possible provide and
follow uniform standards, practices and rules and regulations
including:

(a) Insignia, arm bands and any other distinctive articles
to designate and distinguish the different civil defense services;

(b) Blackouts and practice blackouts, air raid drills, mobili-
zation of civil defense forces and other tests and exercises;