The aim of this article is to discuss and analyze the state of civil defense in the Republic of Poland. The main research problem presented in the article is an attempt to answer the question: what is the concept of civil defense in Poland? It will be possible to formulate this issue based on the presentation and definition of the properties of the concept of civil defense and the presentation of various assumptions over the years on its functioning in the Polish national security system. It is also crucial to ask the question about the nature of the model of the civil defense system that should be present in Poland. Research hypothesis presented at work states that the process of creating this system must cover all issues related to civil defense and the necessary role in this respect of state institutions, as well as the army and uniformed services. In the discussion on the creation and organization of the civil defense system in Poland, none of the components of the state security structure can be omitted. For civil defense to be effective and bring the expected results, a good design of the system being built is important. It must fully respond to contemporary challenges and all threats to national security. The role of local communities is important in this context. The civil defense system must be prepared to organize local units that will be able to effectively perform tasks related to population protection in the event of an outbreak of an armed conflict or a serious natural threat, such as flood, epidemic or fire. It is also important to prepare the necessary forces and resources to organize the civil defense system. They are owned by the army, law enforcement institutions such as the police, local guards and uniformed services. These institutions will be responsible in the process of creating civil defense in Poland for creating the structures of its system. The complexity of the problems considered required the use of many research methods, such as: analysis of legal acts, literature and available teaching materials related to the civil defense system in Poland, as well as synthesis, analogy, comparison, inference, definition. The history of creating the civil defense system in Poland and practical experience related to it, as well as models in force in other European countries served as the basis and a point of reference for formulating conclusions in the article regarding the shape and form of the civil defense concept in Poland.