As a long-term researcher and active participant in the rescue and humanitarian international aid coordination action, the author undertakes the analysis of changes that have occurred since the inception of the legal basis and international crisis coordination structures, focusing on the increasing role of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. The material contains not only the analysis of normative documents and a comprehensive description of the pillars of European civil protection but also practical examples of the European mechanism’s increasing involvement in actions outside the Union over two decades and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article contains examples of material and hardware-based humanitarian aid implemented for Ukraine and a comprehensive systemic approach to Polish civil protection represented by the State Fire Service in preparation for Ukrainian representatives to be familiar with the European Civil Protection mechanism. Numerous examples of activating the mechanism from the Polish perspective are shown both from the perspective of the aid recipient (fire in Biebrza National Park in 2020) and the donor (Lebanon blast in 2020, earthquake in Nepal 2015, forest fires in France 2022 or support to Ukraine).

The article presents conclusions (theses) from research in the area of crisis management systems. The first part presents the issues of system definition, crisis management, and the crisis management system. In the following part, the concept of a control and command system in crisis management is defined as a project for further discussion among scientists dealing with crisis management. The principles of coordination, synchronization and cooperation in crisis management are also discussed. The aim of the research was to define the elements (subsystems) of the control and command system in crisis management. The following question was posed as the main research problem: ‘What elements (subsystems) should form a control and command system in crisis management to ensure its efficient functioning?’ The article presents the results of the research.