Ensuring civil defence

Organizing to protect the population against possible enemy attack and to ensure the stable operation of the national government and the economy.

Since World War II, civil defence has been more directed against air raids. Systems of warning allow the general population to seek shelter or other appropriate action and the military defences to begin operating. Emergency procedures are put into effect for medical care, fire fighting, public order, food distribution, and temporary shelter. Normally civil defence is organized at various levels from the nation to the neighbourhood and under the direction of the appropriate levels of government.