The Civil Protection Code

The Civil Protection Code, introduced by Legislative Decree No. 1 of January 2, 2018, simplifies and makes civil protection provisions more straightforward by encapsulating them in a single, easy-to-read text.

The reform confirms a polycentric National Service model and promotes smooth, effective, and prompt operations.

Concerning forecasting, the Code provides for innovations in the study of risk scenarios. The forecasting activity is preliminary to the warning system and civil protection planning. Concerning prevention activities, the evolution of the subject over time is considered, clarifying that the scope of prevention is both structural and non-structural, also in an integrated form.

The norm introduces a state of mobilization for managing national emergencies. This allows the territorial system to mobilize its resources and request national contributions before declaring a state of emergency.

The Code emphasizes the importance of planning and aims to move away from a narrow view of the Plan towards a more evolved vision aimed at the full operativeness of this tool.

The regulation specifies the types of risk: seismic, volcanic, tsunami, hydraulic, hydrogeological, adverse weather conditions, water shortage, and forest fires. It also specifies the risks on which the National Service may be called to cooperate: chemical, nuclear, radiological, technological, industrial, transport, environmental, sanitary, uncontrolled re-entry of satellites, and space debris.