civil protection / disaster management
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civil protection
The entirety of all government and private measures that serve to prepare for and deal with disasters. It includes rescue services, technical assistance, and supplying the population in emergencies.
Nach dem schweren Erdbeben wurde der nationale Katastrophenschutz aktiviert.
After the severe earthquake, national civil protection was activated.
The word is made up of 'die Katastrophe' (disaster; plural 'die Katastrophen') and 'der Schutz' (protection). So it literally describes protection from or during disasters.
Der Katastrophenschutz probt regelmäßig für den Ernstfall.
Civil protection regularly drills for emergencies.
The base word '-schutz' (-protection) is very productive in German and forms many important terms. When you see '-schutz' at the end of a word, it is usually about preserving or securing something, as in 'Umweltschutz' (environmental protection) or 'Datenschutz' (data protection).
Brandschutz ist in öffentlichen Gebäuden extrem wichtig.
Fire safety is extremely important in public buildings.
'Katastrophenschutz' (civil protection) is often connected with official actions. Typical verbs are 'alarmieren' (to alert), 'aktivieren' (to activate), or 'koordinieren' (to coordinate). You also often hear that civil protection is 'im Einsatz' (deployed / in action).
Wegen des Hochwassers wurde der Katastrophenschutz alarmiert.
Because of the flooding, civil protection was alerted.
This word belongs to formal language and is mainly used by authorities, in the news, and in official announcements.
Die Regierung hat neue Richtlinien für den Katastrophenschutz erlassen.
The government has issued new guidelines for civil protection.
homeland security / heritage protection
Katastrophenschutz and Heimatschutz can both serve to protect the population during natural disasters. Katastrophenschutz specifically refers to preparing for disasters and dealing with their consequences. Heimatschutz also includes protecting internal security and important infrastructure from various threats.
Der Katastrophenschutz versorgt die Bevölkerung nach der schweren Überschwemmung mit Trinkwasser.
After the severe flooding, civil protection services supplied the population with drinking water.
Der Heimatschutz soll die Bevölkerung und wichtige Infrastruktur vor Überschwemmungen und anderen Bedrohungen schützen.
Homeland security is intended to protect the population and important infrastructure from flooding and other threats.
