State Civil Defense Director General Robert M. Woodward estimates approximately $1 million in Federal expenditures may be ultimately involved in the Illinois Civil Defense Survival Project. Individual Survival Plan surveys involving shelter, care and evacuation plans are currently being conducted for Chicago and the St. Louis/East St. Louis areas, at exclusive cost to the Federal government.

The projects are designed to provide the maximum degree of safety to the population in event of enemy attack.

The Chicago Metropolitan Area study, involving an estimated $400,000 to $600,000 of Federal funds is being controlled and directed by a special Project staff under supervision of the State office. Armour Research Foundation is preparing the initial "layout" of this 4-phase program. Phases 2 and 3 will deal with studies and the preparation of the plan. Phase 4 will be an actual test of the completed Survival Plan six months after the year-long project is completed.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Area is directed by the Missouri Civil Defense Corps, with the assistance of the Illinois Civil Defense Agency for their respective areas.

These projects are all part of the $10 million Congressionally-approved National Survival Plan Project in which areas comprising half of the United States' population are being covered.

Cost free, Radiological Kits for training of radiological detection teams have been made available to Illinois' CD. Training is being directed by the Department of Public Instruction, under the supervision of the State Office of Civil Defense. The State Civil Defense Director General Robert M. Woodward said he estimates that by January 1, 1957, 600 instructors will be trained and available to conduct training in county and community Civil Defense throughout the State. 600 kits, costing over $600,000 total, are scheduled for supply by FCDA to the Slate. Over 33 colleges in the State are currently conducting courses in this Civil Defense activity. State Police are also receiving training in the use of these detection instruments.

In the fifth year of the Federal Contributions Program, a summary issued by General Robert M. Woodward, State Civil Defense Director, revealed that Federal funds amounting to $1,051,361.02 were allocated to Civil Defense corps in Illinois during 1951 to 1955. Communications, warning devices, fire fighting and rescue equipment were leading items acquired by Illinois communities, with the Federal government matching dollar for dollar on the purchases.

During the current program, fiscal year 1956, $844,961.00 in Federal contributions have been made available to date.

The joint Defense Department / Government Agencies' Civil Defense Annual Test Exercise, titled "Operation Alert, 1956," is slated for July 20th through the 26th. The majority of State and local participation will fall on the 20th through the 21st.

General R. M. Woodward, State CD Director, announced these details of the nation-wide exercise: all State-accredited Civil Defense corps are expected to participate; public participation is encouraged; community activities to be generally slated for week-end; stress will be on efficient communications; mock enemy nuclear bombs will be hurled at Chicago, Springfield and Rock Island; Federal Reserve, U.S. Post Office, Department of Labor and other agencies are planning relocation moves.

The State Civil Defense Office has issued comprehensive Fact Sheets and data to guide and assist local corps in their participation in this Annual Test Exercise.