The birth of the Civil Protection Agency

The Civil Protection Department's general organization underwent further modifications in the light of Legislative Decrees 300/99 that – by reforming the system of the Prime Minister’s office and the organization of the Government – made profound modifications to the organizational shape of the Public Administration.

The Decree established the Civil Protection Agency, subject to the supervision of the Ministry of the Interior. The whole Civil Protection system was revolutionized: instead of the Prime Minister and the Department of Civil Protection, the Minister of the Intern – with functions of political-administrative guidance and control – and the Civil Protection Agency, with technical-operative and scientific tasks were positioned at the top of the system. 

The Civil Protection Department's functions were transferred to the Agency, which the National Fire and Rescue Service depends on. The Agency was also created from the will to restore the Prime Minister's activity to the traditional functions of impulse, directing, and coordinating, eliminating the more strictly operative function.