Rescue Work in the Wake of Nuclear Destruction, reel 2

Year Published: 1977

Creator: USSR

Description: “Rescue Work in the Wake of Nuclear Destruction” (1977) is a b&w Russian-language training film commissioned by the Civil Defense Division of the Central Committee of the Communist Party (CCCP) that outlines the procedure for carrying out rescue and urgent emergency reconstruction producers in the case of a nuclear attack. Split into two parts, this film features reel 2 which covers the topic “Techniques and Methods for Performing Rescue Works” and features footage of Soviet-era vehicles like the T-100M bulldozer and protective equipment like the Gp-4u and Gp-5 gas masks. Specifically, this reel features footage of civil defense medics and firemen using jackhammers and cranes to clear debris in order to free survivors trapped in underground bunkers. Civil defense was the system of measures to protect people and material assets in the USSR in the case of hostile attacks and ecological or technological disasters, in addition to how to prepare for such scenarios. These preparatory measures included sheltering, evacuation, and first aid. Film opens, civil defense officers seen scaling debris of buildings affected by nuclear fallout; Wear protective gear i.e. GP-5 gas mask (0:10). Water rushes out of broken pipe at entrance of underground bunker, rescue workers wearing gas masks try to quickly shovel rocks and dirt to slow flooding (0:29). Responders use picks and jackhammers to try and clear large rocks, chucks of walls and building infrastructure away from entrances to underground bunkers (0:48). Civil defense officer wearing GP-4u gas mask uses hatchet to knock on wall and listen for sounds of survivors (1:06). Survivors stuck in bunker freed, seen quickly rushing out of bunker as fires blaze around them (1:25). Search for injured continues, medics run toward rubble and flames with stretchers; Man seen trapped under rocks and debris, splint made for another survivor (1:44). Use of expandable ladders to reach survivors and wounded stuck on higher floors of living complexes; Survivor carried down ladder on back of firefighter as another firefighter uses hose to fight off flames (2:00). Two female medics give CPR to survivors, another gently holds head of woman and feeds her water (2:11). Injured are transported into ambulance, placed onto flatbed of truck (2:28). Rescue in areas with elevated gas levels, fire fighters use hoses with AFFF foam to help put our fire and minimize risk of more flames (2:42). Medics narrowly avoid falling facade of building as they walk through rescue zone; Other civil defense officers use found objects like sticks to add support to facade of fragile buildings and prevent further damage (3:09). Water diverted using hoses and generator to nearby storm drains to prevent flooding (3:30). M3MA Rusland steel crane digs up dirt and debris (3:42). POV from inside bunker, curious faces look up towards sounds emanating from above; Man winds crank of filter system allowing for flow of fresh air (3:56). Civil defense officers use jackhammers to try and drill through walls into bunkers (4:15). POV from inside bunker as rescue workers break through surface and dirt starts to quickly crumble inside (5:02). Commander of civil defense forces coordinates shifts of workers, ensures that rescue efforts are able to be carried out around the clock (5:14). New medics seamlessly transition out those whose shift is coming to an end, pick up stretcher from former shift workers’ hands (5:30). Another officer takes over shift of T-100M bulldozer operator (5:36). Man in Soviet NBC suit and GP-5 gas mask sprays down protective suits of other civil defense officers that have returned from shift (5:47). Officers scrub down in shower to remove traces of radiation (5:51). Nurse checks male officer with Geiger counter (6:01). Rescue efforts continue at night, black sky and destroyed area illuminated by flames and lights from vehicles (6:05). Closing credits (6:35). Film ends (6:51).

Complete Record: “Rescue Work in the Wake of Nuclear Destruction” (1977) is a b&w Russian-language training film commissioned by the Civil Defense Division of the Central Committee of the Communist Party (CCCP) that outlines the procedure for carrying out rescue and urgent emergency reconstruction producers in the case of a nuclear attack. Split into two parts, this film features reel 2 which covers the topic “Techniques and Methods for Performing Rescue Works” and features footage of Soviet-era vehicles like the T-100M bulldozer and protective equipment like the Gp-4u and Gp-5 gas masks. Specifically, this reel features footage of civil defense medics and firemen using jackhammers and cranes to clear debris in order to free survivors trapped in underground bunkers. Civil defense was the system of measures to protect people and material assets in the USSR in the case of hostile attacks and ecological or technological disasters, in addition to how to prepare for such scenarios. These preparatory measures included sheltering, evacuation, and first aid. Film opens, civil defense officers seen scaling debris of buildings affected by nuclear fallout; Wear protective gear i.e. GP-5 gas mask (0:10). Water rushes out of broken pipe at entrance of underground bunker, rescue workers wearing gas masks try to quickly shovel rocks and dirt to slow flooding (0:29). Responders use picks and jackhammers to try and clear large rocks, chucks of walls and building infrastructure away from entrances to underground bunkers (0:48). Civil defense officer wearing GP-4u gas mask uses hatchet to knock on wall and listen for sounds of survivors (1:06). Survivors stuck in bunker freed, seen quickly rushing out of bunker as fires blaze around them (1:25). Search for injured continues, medics run toward rubble and flames with stretchers; Man seen trapped under rocks and debris, splint made for another survivor (1:44). Use of expandable ladders to reach survivors and wounded stuck on higher floors of living complexes; Survivor carried down ladder on back of firefighter as another firefighter uses hose to fight off flames (2:00). Two female medics give CPR to survivors, another gently holds head of woman and feeds her water (2:11). Injured are transported into ambulance, placed onto flatbed of truck (2:28). Rescue in areas with elevated gas levels, fire fighters use hoses with AFFF foam to help put our fire and minimize risk of more flames (2:42). Medics narrowly avoid falling facade of building as they walk through rescue zone; Other civil defense officers use found objects like sticks to add support to facade of fragile buildings and prevent further damage (3:09). Water diverted using hoses and generator to nearby storm drains to prevent flooding (3:30). M3MA Rusland steel crane digs up dirt and debris (3:42). POV from inside bunker, curious faces look up towards sounds emanating from above; Man winds crank of filter system allowing for flow of fresh air (3:56). Civil defense officers use jackhammers to try and drill through walls into bunkers (4:15). POV from inside bunker as rescue workers break through surface and dirt starts to quickly crumble inside (5:02). Commander of civil defense forces coordinates shifts of workers, ensures that rescue efforts are able to be carried out around the clock (5:14). New medics seamlessly transition out those whose shift is coming to an end, pick up stretcher from former shift workers’ hands (5:30). Another officer takes over shift of T-100M bulldozer operator (5:36). Man in Soviet NBC suit and GP-5 gas mask sprays down protective suits of other civil defense officers that have returned from shift (5:47). Officers scrub down in shower to remove traces of radiation (5:51). Nurse checks male officer with Geiger counter (6:01). Rescue efforts continue at night, black sky and destroyed area illuminated by flames and lights from vehicles (6:05). Closing credits (6:35). Film ends (6:51).