title: Federal Office for Civil Protection
text: # Federal Office for Civil Protection
  
  The Federal Office for Civil Protection (FSVO) (German: Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz, BABS, French: Office fédéral de la protection de la population, OFPP, Italian: Ufficio federale della protezione della popolazione, UFPP) is the federal office responsible for the civil defense services of the Swiss cantons and municipalities. It is subordinated to the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport.
  
  ## Tasks
  
  The role of the Federal Office for Civil Protection is to ensure the co-ordination of leadership, protection, rescue and assistance in co-operation with the five pillars of civil protection, i.e. the police, the fire brigade, civil protection, technical services (water, electricity, communication) and public health services in the event of a disaster, emergency or armed conflict.
  
  The FSVO consists of six business units, including:
  
  * Spiez Laboratory (the national institute for protection against atomic, biological and chemical threats and risks)
  * National Emergency Operations Centre: responsible for warning the population in the event of an emergency
  