NSDD 26 United States Civil Defense Policy

90101 THE WHITE HOUSE SECRET WASHINGTON February 25, 1982 NATIONAL SECURITY DECISION DECLASSIFIED DIRECTIVE NUMBER 26 4/20/28 to WAinstein BY KML NARADATE US CIVIL DEFENSE POLICY It is the policy of the United States to enhance the deterrence of strategic nuclear war through a strong and balanced program of strategic forces, including effective capabilities for strategic defense. Civil Defense, along with an effective Continuity of Government program, emergency mobilization, and secure and reconstitutable telecommunications systems, is an essential ingredient of our nuclear deterrent forces. It is á matter of national priority that the US have a Civil Defense program which provides for the survival of the US population even in a protracted general war involving nuclear destruction in the United States. The Program Accordingly, I direct that the US Civil Defense program provide an improved basis for dealing with crises and carrying out eventual national recovery. The US Civil Defense program will: -- Enhance deterrence and stability in conjunction with our strategic offensive and other strategic defensive forces. Civil Defense, as an element of the strategic balance, should assist in maintaining perceptions that this balance is favorable to the US. -- Reduce the possibility that the US could be coerced in time of crisis. -- Provide for survival of a substantial portion of the US population in the event of nuclear attack preceded by strategic warning and for continuity of government, should deterrence and escalation control fail. -- Provide, as an additional desirable benefit, improved ability to deal with natural disasters and other large-scale domestic emergencies. This policy complements primary US reliance on strategic offensive nuclear forces as the preponderant factor in maintaining deterrence. SECRET Review February 25, 1988