Air Raid Wardens

Identifying device

Seven diagonal stripes, alternately red and white. Letters Patent: D-129799.

A circular logo with a dark blue background and a red triangular design with seven parallel bars inside.

Duties

  • 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

Historical pamphlet about Air Raid Wardens with text and a black-and-white illustration of air raid wardens in uniform.
Cover of the handbook titled 'A Handbook for Air Raid Wardens' published by the U.S. Office of Civilian Defense, Washington, D.C.

Air Raid Warden Photos

Period photographs of Civilian Defense air raid wardens

A person wearing a helmet and trench coat operating a stirrup pump, standing in front of a large map on a wall.
Black and white photo of a woman dressed in vintage attire, wearing a helmet and AirRaid Warden armband and standing on a sidewalk next to a car.