History

• In 1956, the Research Institute of Civil Defence (the "Institute") was established within the Ministry of the Interior. Its main mission and scope was the scientific research.
• On January 1, 1976, Civil Defence became the responsibility of the Ministry of National Defence. The aim of its scientific research activities was focused on solving the issues of resilience of the national economy, and protection of the Czech population.
• In 1991, the Institute of Civil Defence was established within the nationwide scope in Lázně Bohdaneč.
• After the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, the Institute of Civil Defence was established within the scope of the Czech Republic on January 1, 1993.
• On January 1, 2001, the Institute was reassigned to the Ministry of the Interior - General Directorate of the Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic under the new name - the Population Protection Institute. The Institute has since been responsible for the coordination of chemical laboratories of the Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic and at the same time has performed performed the tasks of a chemical laboratory for the fire brigade of the Hradec Králové and Pardubice regions.

Present

The Population Protection Institute (PPI) is a special-purpose facility of the Ministry of Interior - the General Directorate of the Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic (MI - DG FRS CR). It carries out emergency response and specialized activities as well as research and education. The Institute provides direct and indirect support to agendas performed within the Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic with regards to civil protection, integrated rescue system (IRS), fire protection, civil emergency planning and crisis management. The PPI also fulfils all the criteria for the classification of a research organization under the Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 as well as the criteria set out in the Communication from the Commission - Framework for State aid for research and development and innovation.

The Population Protection Institute manages both stationary and mobile CBRN laboratories and it also investigates causes of fire.

• PPI follows through numerous activities in the field of international cooperation, especially in association with the International Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
• PPI Employees are involved in activities of various professional departmental and inter-ministerial commissions and organisations. They significantly participate in the creation of key documents and policies in their areas of competence.
• The institute has modernly equipped classrooms and accommodation facilities directly on the premises, meeting the most demanding professional, didactic and hygienic requirements.

Significant awards

Award of the Minister of the Interior of the Czech Republic

In 2011 and 2013, the Institute received the "Award of the Minister of the Interior of the Czech Republic for excellent results in the field of security research".

National Quality Award of the Czech Republic

In October 2018, the Institute received a noteworthy national and international Excellence 4 star award in the prestigious assessment EFQM - European Foundation for Quality Management.

The National Quality Award of the Czech Republic represents the most refined and sophisticated system of external evaluation of business and public sector organizations. The Excellence program is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the functioning and improvement of the entire organization.

State Security Council Award for the Population Protection Institute

Population Protection Institute also received the highly prestigious State Security Council Award for significant contribution to the development of science, research and education in the field of civil protection, civil emergency planning, crisis management, integrated rescue system and critical infrastructure, and for the excellent results in specialized, publishing and popularization activities.

The State Security Council bestows the Award for the Significant Contribution to the Security Policy of the Czech Republic annually for major performances within security and defence policy of the Czech Republic, for active work within secure community, and for lifelong worthwhile achievements in the field of security and defence policy of the Czech Republic and its edification.

Overall, the staff and the PPI received more than a hundred awards, plaques, diplomas and medals.