This Day in History: 1961-08-05
A small number of community residents took the opportunity to visit the model home fallout shelter set up by the Civil Defense officials in the basement of the Education Building on Malcolm Rd. Civil Defense Director Bernard W. Corcyca and Assistant Director Howard Avery explained to visitors how they could defend their families in case of an atomic attack through similar cinder block structures. Avery explained that because of prevailing wind, attacks on New York City were not to be feared as much as those which might take place in the Bethlehem-Allentown area. A ten megaton blast in New York City would, he explained, break every window in Bergen County homes. It would take about two hours for radioactive dust from such an explosion to reach us here, giving residents time to use the home shelters effectively. Shelters must be made of sturdy materials, Mr. Corcyca maintained. The officials were somewhat disappointed in the small turnout to the model shelter, which had been on display for several Saturdays. (Bristow)