Civil defence refers to all measures taken under emergency conditions to protect persons, property and the environment as well as urgent steps taken to minimise damages and repercussions in case of accidents or imminent threat thereof. Under normal conditions, civil defence refers to preparing for the above-mentioned tasks.

Tasks related to civil defence include

• alerting the public
• protection:
  1) taking shelter in civil defence shelters or indoors
  2) evacuation
• rescue operations in a state of emergency

Civil defence measures can be divided into civil defence organised by the authorities and self-preparation carried out in the home, at work and in offices, facilities and companies.

International agreements regarding civil defence have been established in the Geneva Conventions and their supplementary protocols. On a national level, civil defence is regulated by the Rescue Act and the related statute. Civil defence is further governed by the Emergency Powers Act and the State of Defence Act.

Additional information on self-preparedness

The international symbol for civil defence is a blue triangle on an orange background.