Overview
The disaster management system (’civil protection’) in Slovenia encompasses the protection of people, animals, property, cultural heritage and the environment against natural and other disasters (including states of emergency and war). The system is governed by the Act on the Protection Against Natural and Other Disasters with clearly defined tasks and is based on an all-hazard and all-government approach. It addresses all phases of the disaster management cycle.
The responsibilities for the disaster management system lie with:
- citizens and residents;
- non-governmental organisations involved in activities relevant to the protection against natural and other disasters;
- public rescue services;
- commercial companies, institutions and other organisations;
- local communities;
- the State.
The national competent authority for disaster management is the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (ACPDR) at the Ministry of Defence.
Prevention
Overview
The National Programme of Protection against Natural and Other Disasters sets prevention and disaster risk reduction activities as a priority for at least a 5-year period. The priorities of each year are defined in annual programmes. Programmes developed at the level of the local community should be aligned with the national programme.
Risk assessment
Risk assessments for individual disasters are prepared at the national and local levels. The ACPDR is the national coordination body for risk assessments. It monitors the development of disaster risk assessments with relevant ministries and participating bodies, while also developing the national disaster risk assessment. There are risk assessments for earthquakes, floods, health threats, particularly dangerous animal diseases, nuclear or radiological emergencies, railway accidents, aircraft accidents, large wildfires, terrorism, drought, sleet, accidents involving dangerous substances, and accidents at sea.
Risk management planning
Risk management planning is carried out as an integrated cross-sectoral process. The authorities responsible for the risk assessment are also responsible for risk management capability assessments for individual disasters.
Risk communication and awareness raising
Disaster or emergency related information is disseminated to the public via traditional media and social media, including television, radio, teletext, the internet, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
The public is given instructions for personal protection and preparedness before and during a range of different types of natural and man-made disasters.
The ACPDR’s website provides comprehensive information on how to act before and during disasters and on preventive and preparedness measures, as well as information about warnings, alarm signals, and other important information.
Preparedness
Training and exercises
Education and training for protection against natural and other disasters is organised at the national and local levels. At the national level, there is a dedicated training centre at the ACPDR responsible for education and training of members of units and commanding staff organised at the national level and professional fire fighters.
Exercises are part of training. They are conducted according to a yearly plan and consist of different types of activity, from tabletop to full-scale field exercises.
In addition to the training of response units, the Act on the Protection against Natural and other Disasters stipulates training of citizens and businesses that can cause accidents or disasters (Seveso facilities, NPPs).
Early warning systems
In Slovenia, a dedicated system for monitoring, notification and warning is established. Its main tasks are:
- to collect, process and communicate data relevant to preparedness and response;
- to notify and warn the population of imminent danger (including via sirens) and to give instructions for personal and mutual protection;
- to communicate decisions adopted by the responsible authorities relating to the response measures.
At the heart of the system are 13 regional emergency notification centres performing the above-mentioned tasks (including 112 emergency calls), and the Emergency Notification Centre of the Republic of Slovenia (Center za obveščanje Republike Slovenije – CORS), responsible for matters of wider importance and serves as international emergency contact point.
Emergency Response
Disaster response plans are developed for any (major) disaster. Depending on the results of risk assessment, plans are prepared at local and national levels. For technological disasters (nuclear, chemical, etc.) plans are prepared also at the facility level.
Response tasks are performed by the following types of units and services:
- CP units,
- professional,
- non-governmental organisation units.
During a disaster, response activities are managed through a unified command structure. It consists of a civil protection commander, civil protection staff, and incident commanders at all levels (facility, local, national). A unified command allows different response units and services to work together effectively according to the respective disaster response plan.
Cross-border, European and international cooperation
International cooperation is an essential part of the national disaster management system. The most intense is the cooperation with neighbouring countries (Austria, Croatia, Hungary and Italy) as well as with the Western Balkan countries. Activities covered by bilateral agreements encompass all phases of the disaster management cycle, not only response.
In case of need, when disaster overwhelms national capacity, Slovenia can provide or receive assistance through established bilateral channels or through international mechanisms, the most important being the Union Civil Protection Mechanism.
Based on the proposals from the civil protection commander, the Slovenian government makes decisions regarding whether to request or render assistance. All administrative duties regarding international assistance are carried out by the ACPDR through the Emergency Notification Centre of the Republic of Slovenia as the international focal point in case of any disaster.
Facts & figures
General contact point
Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (ACPDR) – Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia
Uprava RS za zaščito in reševanje (URSZR) - Ministrstvo za obrambo Republike Slovenije
Address:
- Vojkova cesta 61, SI 1000 Ljubljana
- Tel: +386 1 471 3322
- Fax: +386 1 471 3322
- E-mail: urszr
urszr [dot] si (urszr[at]urszr[dot]si)
Emergency Notification Centre
- Tel: +386 1 471 3261
- E-mail: operativeccors©urszr.si
More information
- Legal base
- Organisational chart
- Disaster management system in Slovenia
- Embassies and Consulates in Slovenia
- Slovenia’s representations abroad
- Emergency call
- System of reporting on interventions and incidents / disasters
- 112 Instructions
- POTROG (System for rapid decision-making in case of an earthquake)
Related pages
Last updated: 22/05/2025