BBK Releases Guide on Civil Defense

The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) published two new working aids on June 20, 2026, as part of the project "Guide to Civil Defense in Municipalities." These documents, which can be downloaded for free, are aimed at cities, municipalities, and districts, providing them with concrete support in preparing for crisis and defense situations. The two guides are titled "Basic Scenarios in the Context of Civil Defense" and "District Description for Civil Defense Purposes." The project's goal is to provide municipalities with realistic guidance for their tasks without altering existing responsibilities or creating new obligations, as explained by the BBK.

The working aid "Basic Scenarios in the Context of Civil Defense" describes various event situations that may be relevant for municipalities. These include, among others, cyberattacks on administrations, failures of electricity or drinking water supply, and restrictions on important transport routes. The central question is how municipalities can maintain their operational capability under difficult conditions. An important aspect of this working aid is the necessity of robust communication channels and resilient crisis management. The BBK emphasizes the importance of close cooperation with disaster relief and aid organizations, utility companies, the police, the Bundeswehr, and other stakeholders to ensure operational capability in crisis situations.

The second working aid, "District Description for Civil Defense Purposes," provides municipalities with a document to systematically collect and consolidate important information about their local authority. This includes data on population structure, energy and health supply, as well as critical infrastructures. This working aid can be used as a checklist to verify existing data or as a basis for a central overview of relevant information. The BBK aims to make existing knowledge more usable and to avoid unnecessary duplication of data collection. The BBK highlights that the security policy framework has changed in recent years.

In addition to natural disasters and extreme weather events, hybrid threats, cyberattacks, and the impacts of military conflicts are becoming increasingly significant. The publication of these guides occurs within the context of a broader initiative to strengthen civil defense in Germany. The working aids are intended to be gradually supplemented to support municipal administrations in preparing and implementing measures. The BBK plans to develop further topic-specific working aids in the coming months that address the various challenges of the municipal security situation. The first two guides are already part of this comprehensive strategy. "The security policy framework has changed in recent years," explains the BBK. "We must prepare for new threats and support municipalities accordingly."