After Grenfell House - Was it wise to stand down the British Civil Defence organisation in 1968?

Lytham St Annes Civil Defence members 1953

The British Civil Defence service was a vital part of the Home Defence of Britain in WW2.

Post WW2, the focus shifted towards Civil Defence as it was known, to the threat of a nuclear attack from the Soviet Union.

In 1968, a decision was made to stand down the Civil Defence organisation. History has show this was a mistake, as neither emergency service of Police, Fire or Ambulance could handle the work undertaken by Civil Defence volunteers.

Likely, cost was a factor for disbandment of the service.

Civil Defence provided trained boots on the ground, that freed up the emergency services for other specialised work.

In the years since 1968, we have had many situations where Civil Defence staff could have provided vital Home Front help. Civil Defence was highly organised with its own radio system, vehicles, command structure and specially trained staff.

In a situation like the recent Grenfell House fire, their co-ordinated response would have been invaluable.

However, as we have seen elsewhere, it is the trend to reduce and cut back. It is often a false economy to do so.

I have long believed that a Civil Defence corps should be put back into place because with reduced emergency service numbers, it is a necessity.