The proclamation of the independence of the Republic of Moldova on August 27, 1991 marked the beginning of a reform effort for state institutions.

In order to regulate the activity of the Civil Defense structures of the Republic of Moldova and in accordance with the declaration of independence of the Republic of Moldova, in 1991, the President of the Republic, by Decree No. 244 of December 24, 1991 "On Civil Defense of the Republic of Moldova", decreed the transfer under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Moldova of the Civil Defense Headquarters, its command institutions and bodies, as well as the military units of the Civil Defense of the USSR stationed on the territory of the republic.

The aforementioned decree established that all assets of the Civil Defense Headquarters of the Republic of Moldova and its subordinate institutions, armament, and technical-material base of the military units of the Civil Defense of the USSR stationed on the territory of the republic are the property of the Republic of Moldova.

Subsequently, by Government Decision No. 265 of May 14, 1993, the Civil Defense Headquarters was transferred under the subordination of the Ministry of Defense.

Then, by Directive No. 17/018 of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova dated September 1, 1993, the Civil Defense Headquarters was reorganized into the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Situations.

Taking into account the fact that the civil protection system in most developed countries is separated from the Armed Forces and the specifics of civil protection administration in daily regime, as well as in emergency situations through central and local public administration bodies and economic agents, the Government of the Republic of Moldova, by Decision No. 541 of October 2, 1996, withdrew the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Situations from the subordination of the Ministry of Defense, as well as the Firefighters and Rescuers Directorate from the subordination of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with all their departmental structures, equipment, assets, basic and other funds, which were included in the Department's composition.

In connection with the approval of the new public administration structure according to Government Decision No. 357 of 23.04.2005 "On measures to reorganize certain ministries and central administrative authorities of the Republic of Moldova", the Department of Emergency Situations is reorganized within the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The fundamental principles of organizing Civil Protection in the republic, its tasks, and the legal framework for activity in this field are established by the Law "On Civil Protection" No. 271-XIII of November 9, 1994.

Civil protection in the Republic of Moldova represents a system of measures and actions undertaken throughout the entire state in peacetime and wartime, aimed at ensuring the protection of the population and property in conditions of natural and ecological disasters, accidents and catastrophes, epizootics, and fires.