Organized Civil Defense activities began in Baltimore during December 1941 with the creation of the Baltimore Committee on Civilian Defense. The purpose of the committee was to plan for the safety of Baltimore residents in case of enemy attack. To carry out this plan the committee had four divisions: planning, public relations, enrollment, and training. Its projects included running test blackouts and enrolling and training air wardens, auxiliary police and firemen, fire watchers, medical corps, messengers, and decontamination squads. The committee also maintained a warning center to receive from the U.S. Army filter centers information about possible enemy attacks. Surviving records relate only to the public relations functions of the committee.

Four years later, the state government enacted the Maryland Civil Defense Act, which called for the establishment of state and local civil defense agencies. The prime responsibility of these agencies was to prepare continuing plans to cope with emergency situations resulting from man-made or natural disasters. Maryland state and local governments originally coordinated their renewed civil defense activities with comparable functions of the federal government and private organizations.

The municipality created the Baltimore Civil Defense Organization in 1951 under the provisions of the state civil defense act. Initial activities of the organization centered around preparations for atomic attack. Planning areas included fire control, rescue and medical services, transportation, communication, shelters, and the provision of emergency food and water supplies. The organization also devised an elaborate system to train volunteers for use in the event of an emergency. To educate the public about civil defense concepts, the organization conducted an extensive public campaign.

In 1963 the municipal government sharply reduced the budget and operational scope of civil defense organizations in Baltimore. The Civil Defense Organization was abolished and its functions transferred to the fire department.

Municipal authorities relieved the fire department of this responsibility in 1968 by establishing the Office of Disaster Control and Civil Defense. The primary responsibility of the new agency was to develop an operational survival plan to provide for a continuation of municipal services in the event of a nuclear attack or natural disaster.

For additional information, see ords. 658 (1941), 42 (1963), and 128 (1968).