The organization was renamed the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency on May 5, 1972, and was abolished on July 20, 1979, pursuant to Executive Order 12148.

The Office of Civil Defense was organized into several regions, in order to better manage the distribution of funds, coordination of local training and resources and support state and local agencies planning and perpetration.

[2] The Office of Civilian Defense (OCD) was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in May 1941.

[3] It was responsible for planning community health programs and medical care of civilians in the event of a military attack on the United States.

[4] Later in 1941, right-wing Senators added an amendment to forbid OCD from supporting physical fitness instruction “By dancers, fan dancing, street shows, theatrical performances, or other public entertainment.”[5]