Overview:

The main scope of the Civil Protection Department is to safeguard human lives, property and the environment. The Department is established under the relevant legislative act (Civil Protection Act XV, 1999) to maintain a national system of prevention, preparedness and response to any Disaster which might affect the Maltese community. The Department also forms part of a European wide mechanism for civil protection, which was formed to ensure a common response to emergencies by all EU member states.

Director Civil Protection Department

Patrick Murgo was born in Pieta’ on 25th March 1967. He pursued his studies at the sixth Form in Msida and then followed a diploma course at the St. Martin’s Institute of IT in Computer Science and Information Technology. He holds a Masters degree in Business Administration (E-Business) from the University of Malta.

Mr. Murgo started his career in 1987 as a lieutenant with the Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta. He then joined ST Microelectronics Ltd. as an HR officer before moving to the Environment Protection Department as an operations manager in charge of marine pollution operations.

In 1998, he moved to the Civil Protection Department as Manager (Civil Protection) during which he also served as deputy to the Director Civil Protection until 2005. Apart from coordinating fire fighting interventions at sea, he was also involved during the accession process of the Civil Protection Department in the EU Mechanism for Civil Protection.

In 2005, Mr. Murgo was appointed as Chief Fire Officer at Malta International Airport plc. where he was tasked to take charge of the Rescue and Fire Fighting services of the Airport. He was involved in many programmes and initiatives to promote safety within airside operations and the terminal building of the airport, amongst which the implementation of a Safety Management System for airside operations.

In 2009, Mr Murgo moved back to the Civil Protection Department, where he was appointed as Deputy Director (Civil Protection). He was given an appointment of Director Civil Protection Department with effect from 6th April 2010.

Mr. Murgo is married to Odette nee Zammit and has two children Julian and Daniela.