Civil defense
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Civil defence (civil defense in US English) or civil protection is an effort to protect the citizens of a state (generally non-combatants) from military attacks and natural disasters. It uses the principles of emergency operations: prevention, mitigation, preparation, response, or emergency evacuation and recovery. Programs of this sort were initially discussed at least as early as the 1920s and were implemented in some countries during the 1930s as the threat of war and aerial bombardment grew. It became widespread after the threat of nuclear weapons was realized.
Since the end of the Cold War, the focus of civil defence has largely shifted from military attack to emergencies and disasters in general. The new concept is described by a number of terms, each of which has its own specific shade of meaning, such as crisis management, emergency management, emergency preparedness, contingency planning, civil contingency, civil aid and civil protection.
In some countries, civil defense is seen as a key part of defense in general. For example the Swedish language word totalförsvar ("total defense") refers to the commitment of a wide range of national resources to its defense, including the protection of all aspects of civilian life. Some countries have organized civil defense along paramilitary lines, or incorporated it within armed forces, such as the Soviet Civil Defense Forces (Войска гражданской обороны).
See also
- The American Civil Defense Association
- French Civil Protection
- Blast shelter
- Civil-defense Geiger counters
- Civil defense siren
- Civilian-based defense
- Collective protection
- Continuity of government
- Effects of nuclear explosions on human health
- Emergency management
- Fallout shelter
- Transarmament
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