Cults: Saying No Under Pressure
Describes how to resist the deception and pressure used to recruit members into cults and keep them there. It also provides advice on how to resist these tactics. The video is designed for young people, parents, educators, counselors, clergy, law enforcement officials, and others.
Your Chance to Live: Winter Storm
Intercuts scenes from Jack London's To build a fire with modern urban and rural winter scenes to point out the dangers of winter storms and low temperatures. Designed to stimulate discussion on civil preparedness for winter storms.
Your Chance to Live: Nuclear Disaster
Portrays the challenges of creating a film about nuclear disaster amid public apathy. It captures behind-the-scenes moments as the crew discusses the gravity of nuclear threats, the importance of preparation, and the emotional impact of a nuclear attack. The narrative emphasizes the need for individuals to take responsibility for their safety and community in the event of an attack, blending factual information with a call to action.
Chlorine and the Firefighter
This 1974 film is dedicated by the Chlorine Institute to the public interest. It is specifically intended to assist firefighters and other emergency services. The techniques demonstrated are appropriate for emergency use; different circumstances might require modified or additional procedure. The information is drawn from sources believed to be reliable. The Institute, its members any organizations cooperating in the development of this film, jointly or severally, cannot be responsible for how the information is used and must make this legal disclaimer. This is a 1960s era, color movie about Chlorine and emergency workers… specifically, firefighters. The film is intended to show firefighters what chlorine is, what a chlorine emergency might involve, how a company can plan ahead and how an emergency can be handled safely.
Shelter on a Quiet Street
This Cold War civil defense film attempts to persuade viewers that building a home fallout shelter is a smart thing to do, and they are easy and economical to build. The film shows how to construct a durable, concrete shelter suitable for surviving a nuclear blast; it was made in 1963 and presented by the Department of Defense. The basic premise of the film is that it follows Civil Defense Director Hank Adams as he guides the Warren Family through construction of their own basement fallout shelter. The original catalog entry for this movie noted that: "This film is designed not only for those living in suburban or rural areas too far removed from the nearest community shelter-but also for those in urban sections who, for reasons of personal preference or convenience, would rather rely on a family shelter for fallout protection."
Men, Mail and Machines
Dating to 1957, "Men Mail and Machines" is a film presentation of the new electronic and automatic devices being installed in some of the major post offices of the nation in that era. This film shows the U.S. Postal Service and its efforts to handle the massive volume of mail efficiently. It highlights the challenges faced by the Postal Service due to the high volume of mail and the outdated methods previously used. Postmaster General, Arthur E. Summerfield explains the introduction of modern technologies and systems to improve mail handling, such as automated sorting machines and new vehicles for mail carriers. The film also discusses the need for better working conditions for postal workers and the financial challenges in implementing these improvements. Overall, it emphasizes the importance of modernization to provide better mail service to the public.
Information Program Within Public Shelters
This Cold War film "Information Within Public Shelters" (1953) takes place in a fallout shelter, showing how a well-trained staff that provides information to shelter occupants, can keep them busy and calm during nuclear armageddon. This film was produced as the U.S. Government began to shift from promoting privately-owned "family" fallout shelters to the concept of large, public shelters.
High Rise Building Problems
This is a 1970’s era, color movie discussing problems fire departments have with high rise buildings. It opens with a massive high-rise tower with a ladder next to it and was produced with the assistance of the National Fire Protection Association and Fire Prevention through Films. Producer is Julian Olansky and the New Haven Fire Department in New Haven, Connecticut.
Your Chance to Live: Pollution
A surrealistic look at the future if man does not learn to control pollution.
Public Shelter Organization and Staff
Created in 1963 at the height of the Cold War, this Civil Defense training film uses a dramatic premise to show how emergency staff should manage and organize a large public fallout shelter during a crisis. A Shelter Manager is shown immediately taking control of the situation in the shelter, speaking calmly to those who have made it into the facility, closing the door promptly once the shelter is full, and sticking to the "shelter plan" as the situation unfolds. Some of the areas discussed in this nuclear war drama are the safety plan, regular inspections, supervised public entry into shelters, ventilation, first aid, sanitation, fire prevention, decontamination of personnel, and more. "Shelter living is different," the Manager states, "But we have a trained staff that will make your stay in this shelter livable for us all."
Your Chance to Live: Heat Wave
The film highlights the dangers of extreme heat and the importance of staying hydrated and cool. It portrays a conversation between two friends, one of whom insists on playing basketball despite the oppressive heat. The narrative emphasizes that heat-related illnesses can be avoided by recognizing the body's signals and taking necessary precautions, such as drinking water and staying indoors. The film concludes with a report of record-breaking temperatures, underscoring the seriousness of heat exposure.
Your Chance to Live: An Instructor's Guide
The Defense Civil Preparedness Agency began an informational campaign in 1972 called Your Chance to Live. As part of the campaign, a series of films was released along with a companion book. Each installment covers a different disaster scenario, including tornadoes, blizzards, earthquakes, forest fires, blackouts and a nuclear disaster. The California Department of Education helped produce the films and hosted a workshop of educational professionals to discuss the best ways to present the desired emergency preparedness information to school age audiences. The process was filmed and assembled, along with clips from each production, and distributed as an Instructor's Guide in 1975.
Fallout Shelter: What Is It?
Educational film for civil defense personnel on requirements for a fallout shelter. Explains types of shelters and degrees of protection.
Public Shelter Supplies: What Does The Government Supply
Training film for shelter managers. Food, water, sanitation, medical, and radiation detection systems are explained.
Your Chance to Live: Hurricane
Released by the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency in 1972, Your Chance to Live is a series of films which cover threatening events, from forest fires, to floods, tornadoes and nuclear disasters. Hurricane tells the story of two parents who revisit the beach town where their children were killed in a violent storm the previous summer.