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The ARP services included:
  • Report & control of incidents;

  • Messenger & Warden service; Rescue,

  • repair & demolition;

  • Anti-gas service;

  • Casualty

  • :(including First Aid Parties, ambulance, Emergency Mortuary) services.


A support service was founded also in 1938 called WVS (Women's Volunteer Service), and in 1941 the Fire Guard service (intended to report fires and deal with individual incendiary bombs) was set up. The WVS had many functions but was best known for its work in running and operating the Mobile Canteens and Rest Centres.

Associated with the ARP, but independent in organisation were:

Initially members of the ARP were supplied with arm bands and a steel helmet, but by 1941 most member had a blue battledress, or overalls. Branch and rank were painted on the steel helmet, usually by letters and rings ("W" for warden, "R" for Rescue).


REFERENCES

  • Brown, Mike. ''Put That Light Out!: Britain's Civil Defence Services at War 1935–45''. Stroud: Sutton Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0750922109.