PANIC IS DANGEROUS

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 242, 14 October 1942, Page 6

PANIC IS DANGEROUS

CONDUCT IN AN EMERGENCY IMPORTAN CE OF LEADERSHIP. fiENIOR-SERGEANT'S INFORMA - TIVE ADDRESS. The contagious and dangeroas nature of panic during a time of emergency was stressed in an address prepared by Senior-Sergeant Smyth and read in his unavoidable absence at the annual meeting of Justices of the Peace by Sergeant Allsop. The address, which contained valuable information in regard to precautions and conduct during an air raid, was listened to with keen interest.

In the many duties of E.P.S. work, unforeseen incidents rnight occur during an air raid, but there was one state of affairs which it was hoped to avoid, and that was panic. "Panic

m any form is difflcult, while massed panic is one of the most difflcult problems with which we may have to contend," he stated. Panic was a very actual danger to others, and an endeavour should be made by all io try and prevent it. A crowd was very susceptible to panic if it was leaderless. "It is a restraint on panic if a crowd has a sense of solidarity and trust in a competent leader. It is here that the value of police, trained wardens and other E.P.S. workers will be most felt, for when the morale of the crowd is good, each individual member composing it will gain support against his or her own weakness. A sense of self-pride will be gained which will form an armour against lack of control. Panic can spread very rapidly in a crowd which is getting out of hand, and persons who otherwise might remain well controlled might lose their heads and join the melee. It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but, unfortunately, imitation can also be foolish and dangerous. One person standing in a street looking up at the sky — although there may be nothing to see— will soon attract a crowd which will do the same. So, also, one person running about madly on hearing an air raid alarm will soon be joined by others until a terror-stricken mob is formed. This

bemg so, it can be understood how dangerous unstable persons might become, for it must be remembered that panic will spread like wildfire." In controlling a crowd it was necessary to be able to reeognise the various individuals, and to estimate the danger spots amongst them. It was also equally necessary to be able to pick out those who would radiate confidence to others around them. It had not to be thought that people who were what might be called highly strung, nervous or timid would be the first to break down under stress. On the contrary such types were often at their best in a orisis, remaining cool and collected, and giving out mental strength to others. The selfsatisfied officious and dominating type was most likely to prove dangerous in an emergency, and such persons should not be placcd in supervisory positions, as they were usually not in the least fitted lo control others.

The same might be said of those who commenced to criticise arrangements or plans and who volunteered innumerable suggestions. Hysteria was a very usual form of reaction, and in dealing with such cases action had to be clear-cut and decisive. This type usually -composed females, who might appear to be unconscious after subsiding into a comfortable position. In reality the person was not unconscious at all and firmness had to be shown. The epileptic was on a different side of the page, and had to be looked for. No restraint could be used, but furniture and anything which might cccasion injury should be removed and the individual guarded until the fit passed. "Then the patient had to be kept warm and allowed to rest. The whole question of stemming panic would ultimately fall on the police or wardens, whose duty it would be to control the people. As the town was divided amoiig the regular police, who in turn had their auxiliaries working with them, and supplemented by the wardens, it was v/ith confidence that the position could be faced should it ever come their way. If the public would, as oportunity offered, reach their homes and "stay put" and carry out instructions that might be given to them, the injuries sustained in an

air raid would be very iight, if any. If, on the other hand people left their homes and wandered into streets the time of the police and wardens would be overtaxed and excitement might occur — to be followed by disorder. Idleness was a dangerous factor during an emergency and every able-bodied person should be engaged. A feeling that nothing more could be done brought with it fear, and fear had its influence Those who were not engaged should endeavour to do something that v;as useful, possibly by offering his service to the nearest auxiliary policeman.

Those who were assembled in houses, especially womenfolk, old people and youngsters, should do something — knit for instance, or play cards, but do something to fi.ll in the time. There was also the precaution of filling up water buckets or the family bath in order to have a quick supply of water for fire fighting. Water, however, should ,be drawn off quickly in order to leave the full pressure for the fire brigade when it was called upon.

'By all these little points we can await the occasion and meet it. There will not be much time when the first alarm of an air raid alert is given. Persons in the streets should make for the nearest public trench and remain there until they are advised to move, the busy thoroughfares being avoided. Upon an alarm — which comprises an intermittent sounding of sirens and whistles ten seconds on and five seconds off — observe a comP'lete blackout if after dark, fill up the bath, see that your neighbour has heard the alarm, listen to the wireless for information, don't congregate outside because you are safer in your home, put out the fire, turn off the gas at the meter, secure your electric torch, don't go sight-seeing, and don't allow children to wander," he stated. If an incendiary foomb landed in an open space it should be ignored. If it landed in a dangerous place, it should be picked up and dropped into a bucket of water. If it could not be picked up water should be played mto the seat of the flame. The flare up from the bornb was not dangerous but the eyes should be guarded as much as possible. "In the event of an air raid remember that the safest place is in your own home or in your private shelter," he added. V