Headquarters as a heading covers the essential tasks performed which keep the other services going. Examples of this include keeping communications in operation during any operation and collating data received during warden surveys. Technology plays a large role in these tasks, computers and various types of radiocommunications figure largely. At the same time, it has to be remembered that if Civil Defence was required in a major emergency, regular power and telecommunications might not be operational, so skills in more "primitive" manual methods are also kept up to date.

Maintaining and keeping track of stores is another important Headquarters role, making sure that all equipment is up to date and ready for use.