Civil Protection: Safeguarding Citizens and Assets

Civil Protection: Protecting People and Property

Civil protection is a system where each country provides protection and assistance to everyone in the face of any type of disaster or accident, while also safeguarding assets and the environment.

Key Tasks:

• Alarm service
• Evacuation
• Enabling and organizing shelter
• Application of blackout measures
• Rescue
• Health services, including first aid and religious assistance
• Fire-fighting
• Detection and marking of danger areas
• Decontamination and similar protective measures
• Provision of emergency accommodation and supplies

Features of Civil Protection

Generally, civil protection involves the management of emergency services at all levels within a country, with the participation of all relevant parties.

More specifically, civil protection refers to the bodies responsible for protecting citizens from disasters of any kind, whether caused by human actions or natural events.

Civil protection agencies also facilitate public participation by organizing trained individuals to act against disasters, supporting emergency service personnel and serving as the public aid organization. In Spain, these groups are structured as Municipal Civil Protection Volunteer collectives, managed by their respective municipalities.

Prevention Strategies

1. Collaborate in risk assessments, particularly for town buildings, premises, and public assembly facilities.
2. Support the preparation and publication of self-protection plans for these centers.
3. Collaborate in the development and maintenance of municipal spatial plans and local action plans against specific risks.
4. Prepare and implement information campaigns to educate the population about various hazards, following guidelines issued by the City.
5. Participate in preventive operational activities (large gatherings, forest monitoring, etc.), always coordinated by the relevant department.

Intervention Procedures

1. Support emergency operational services upon request.
2. Assist in caring for those affected by emergencies (evacuation, shelter, supplies, etc.), always coordinated by the relevant department.