Air Raid Wardens | U.S. Citizens Defense Corps

“To a great extent, the Air Raid Warden is the embodiment of the civilian defense program to the average citizen. He is not a policeman and does not enjoy police powers, but he works under the police organization and with its help.”

— Local Organization for Civilian Protection, 1941

Identifying device

Seven diagonal stripes, alternately red and white. Letters Patent: D-129799. Some claims made that the stripes signify the ‘many duties’ the air raid warden was tasked with.

Open to

Position was open to men and women.

observing lights showing during a blackout and warning occupants of buildings
calling attention of law enforcement authorities to failures to comply with blackout rules and regulations, and requesting their cooperation in obtaining such compliance
directing persons in the streets to shelter
reporting to the Control Center any fallen bombs or fires
assisting in fighting incendiary bombs
detecting and reporting to the Control Center the presence of gas
administering elementary first aid
assisting victims in damaged buildings
training residents for emergencies and becoming acquainted with physical features and residents of their assigned territory