Civil Defense Law in the Kingdom

The Civil Defense Law in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia refers to a set of legal rules regulating the measures and actions necessary and complementary to the safety and protection of inhabited and civilian areas of the Kingdom. This includes safeguarding property against fire, accidents, wars, environmental disasters, and various other functions attributed to the Saudi Civil Defense. Additionally, the Civil Defense Law outlines the structure, mission, and responsibilities of the Saudi Civil Defense agency.

The Civil Defense Law was issued in 1986 during the reign of King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and comprised thirty-six articles. The majority of the law's articles were amended on various dates, including Article Five, amended in 2015, and Article Twenty-Eight, amended in 2003.

In accordance with Article Four of the Civil Defense Law, the civil defense agency comprises the Civil Defense Council, the General Directorate of Civil Defense, and Civil Defense Committees. The Civil Defense Council is constituted as per Article Five, with the Minister of Interior serving as chairman, alongside members representing competent entities involved in civil defense work. The Civil Defense Council issues necessary regulations and resolutions for the implementation of this law. Violations of this law are identified and investigated in accordance with the rules and procedures established by the Minister of the Interior and the chairman of the Civil Defense Council.

The Civil Defense Law delineates the tasks assigned to the Civil Defense agency, enumerating tasks that include, but are not limited to, due to their diversity and multiplicity: setting rules and means of warning against hazards and air raids; training volunteers for civil defense work; setting rules and means of safety, industrial security, firefighting, rescue, first aid and relief operations, raid watch, and protection against weapons of destruction at times of peace and war; etc.

The Civil Defense Law addresses the entities responsible for the functions outlined in its provisions without designating any specific entity. Instead, it deems every individual accountable for safeguarding the homeland in any capacity. The law has delegated these responsibilities to ministries, government agencies, and public legal entities, acknowledging their duty to ensure the nation's security. Additionally, it extends these responsibilities to members of private institutions, property owners within the Kingdom's territory, inhabitants and occupants of such properties, owners and operators of cars and vehicles, civil defense forces, other internal security forces, the National Guard, the Armed Forces, and civil defense volunteers, recognizing their competence to provide security assistance.

Article Fourteen of the Civil Defense Law of the Kingdom specifies the functions of the General Directorate of Civil Defense as follows: Propose civil defense plans, projects, and operations and follow up on their implementation; implement civil defense plans, projects, and operations falling within its powers and execute decisions issued by the Civil Defense Council and the Minister of the Interior, chairman of the Civil Defense Council.; take appropriate measures to deal with disasters declared as such pursuant to a decision by the Minister of Interior, chairman of the Civil Defense Council, and it may utilize the resources of the military forces and other agencies, and request them to execute tasks and provide individuals and equipment; provide food, clothing, shelter, medical treatment, financial aid, and other forms of assistance to victims at times of disasters, in accordance with regulations set by the Civil Defense Council; coordinate with ministries and other entities concerned with the implementation of civil defense operations for the execution of civil defense plans, projects, and operations; develop civil defense in line with scientific and military advancements; represent the Kingdom at international and local organizations, conferences, symposia, and workshops relating to civil defense; propose matters to be brought before the Civil Defense Council and conduct necessary related studies; make necessary recommendations to relevant agencies regarding compensation for damage caused by disasters or hostilities; carry out training programs necessary for civil defense operations as approved by the Civil Defense Council; propose appropriate times for conducting civil defense drills and exercises and for the call of trained individuals; and propose the annual draft budget of the General Directorate of Civil Defense.