"a systematic, efficient way of dealing with attack on the home front. A strong civil defense can save fifty percent of the lives that might otherwise be lost. It can ease human suffering. It can reduce the destruction of property. It can maintain the flow of food and munitions needed by our Armed Forces. Civil defense can sustain the people and augment the will to survive against any attack by any aggressor. Civil defense is an insurance policy that will ease the effect of attack if and when it comes. Importantly, a strong civil defense, like strong armed forces, will proclaim that we are ready for anything an enemy can hurl against us and that no matter what hits us we can successfully fight back. Such readiness may actually help deter attack by making the results too small to warrant the cost, and thus serve the cause of peace in the world". (FCDA, Annual Report for 1951, 1952, pp. ix-x)