Scope and Content: The Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety, originally operational during World War I, was resurrected by Gov. Leverett Saltonstall on Aug. 23, 1940 in anticipation of U.S. involvement in World War II. The committee was confirmed by Exec Order no. 1, Dec. 31, 1941, pursuant to St 1941, c 719, as an agency of the Executive Dept. The committee’s role was extended on Jan. 31, 1942 by St 1942, c 13, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. It was ultimately dissolved with the war’s end in May 1945. The committee was responsible for organizing, supervising, directing, and coordinating local committees on public safety in the cities and towns of the Commonwealth. The committee carried out its duties through administrative divisions and nine regional zones, each with regional offices staffed with state employees as well as extensive volunteer involvement. The responsibilities of the local committees included management of air raid precautions and other civilian defense programs necessary to protect lives and property.
Arrangement: Arranged numerically by region, thereunder alphabetically by municipality
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