It was awarded for meritorious service in German air raid protection.

It was open both to members of the Reichsluftschutzbund, the principal German air raid precautions organisation, and others involved in this work, including police, fire and emergency services.

[4] Both classes were worn on the left chest on a light purple ribbon with black-white-red borders.

[5] The wearing of Nazi era decorations was banned after Germany's defeat in 1945.

The Civil Defence Decoration was among those re-authorised for wear by the Federal Republic of Germany in 1957,[6][7] re-designed to remove the swastika symbol.