The American Civil Defense Association (TACDA)
Practical civil defense education, preparedness products, and resources for American families.
The American Civil Defense Association (TACDA)
Practical civil defense education, preparedness products, and resources for American families.
Our Mission. Your Preparedness.
The American Civil Defense Association (TACDA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-political organization founded in 1962, dedicated to helping individuals, families, and communities prepare for real-world emergencies.
Membership is free, and our mission is simple: provide practical, reliable civil defense education that anyone can use.
Start Learning Today - It's FREE to Join
Join our community and start building your readiness today.
How TACDA Prepares You
The TACDA Academy
A Structured Civil Defense Training Program
The TACDA Academy provides free essential detailed education for everyone.
Access a growing library of online courses built on decades of civil defense research. Learn the skills, strategies, and knowledge you need to prepare yourself, your family, and your community for any emergency-natural or manmade.
Chapter Topics:
- Psychology of Civil Defense
- Nuclear Weapons Effects
- All Hazard Sheltering
- Chemical/Biological Warfare
- EMP & Power Outage
- Radiation
7. Natural Disasters
8. Food Storage
9. Water Purification
10. Sanitation
11. Cold Weather Survival
12. Evacuation & 72-Hour Kits
13. Communications
14. Alternative Energy & Fuel
15. Medical Preparedness
16. Triage & First Response
17. Post Event Survival
TACDA Live
Monthly Civil Defense Training
One hour. Real knowledge. Real impact.
Get expert civil defense training live on Zoom, no matter where you live. Join our monthly sessions to build real-world skills, stay informed, and connect with a serious preparedness community.
Expert-Led Training
Learn from trusted professionals in civil defense, emergency management, and preparedness.
One-Hour Sessions
Clear, actionable training designed to sharpen your skills without wasting time.
Dialed Monthly Topics
From nuclear preparedness and EMP to water, shelter, and medical response.
Preparedness Community
Connect with like-minded individuals serious about readiness and resilience.
Live on Zoom
Join from anywhere with a private access link each month.
Real-Time Q&A
Ask questions and interact directly with expert presenters.
Watch Anytime
Access past sessions and training recordings on demand.
The Journal of Civil Defense
The Journal of Civil Defense has been a trusted source of survival knowledge since the early 1960's when TACDA began publishing under the original title "Survive." For over 60 years, we've delivered expert articles on civil defense from military professionals, emergency responders, scholars, and preparedness experts.
Journal of Civil Defense topics include:
- Current national security threats
- Practical survival techniques
- Home and personal defense strategies
- Nuclear weapons effects
- Protection of material assets and survival of natural disasters
- Food storage and preservation
- Underground sheltering
- Gun safety
- Mass shooting situations including prevention, analysis, and take down
- Homeopathic medicine
- Home safety equipment
- Evacuation in emergencies
- 72 hour kits, and more
It's TIME to PREPARE!
Journals are mailed twice a year (in April and October) and include an invitation link to our monthly civil defense meetings via Zoom!
TACDA Blog
The TACDA Blog features hundreds of searchable articles on emergency preparedness, helping you prepare for the next major disaster.
Recent Blog Posts:
- A Design Concept for a Fallout Shelter, Plus Small Ventilation System
- Former Nuclear Fallout Shelters a Grim Reminder of Cold War Brinkmanship (TACDA is quoted in the Epoch Times. Fallout shelters for American citizens are no more. Why?)
- Power Outages and The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Doctors For Disaster Preparedness
- Using Emergency Management During Civil Unrest
- How To Prepare for ANY Disaster
- Growing Your Food from Seed
- Hydration Awareness: 10 Ways to Be 'Water Wise'
STAND WITH US. SUPPORT PREPAREDNESS. STRENGTHEN NATIONAL SECURITY.
Celebrating 60+Years of Service! Est. 1962
We're all About Your Survival
The mission of The American Civil Defense association (TACDA) is to provide education, products, and resources that empower American citizens to protect themselves, their families, and their communities in emergencies and disasters of all kinds, including nuclear, biological, chemical, and natural disasters. We believe a comprehensive understanding of preparedness strategies is essential to survival and peace of mind.