Article categories: Archive News
Civil defence shelters are mainly building-specific — self-preparedness at home is important
Published: 23.3.2022
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has raised concerns among residents, and the city has been asked about civil defence shelters. The primary place of protection is always on the property where you live or work. Access to civil defence shelters is only ordered by the authorities. It is a good idea for every household to have a reserve supply of food and water for three days.
“There are no public shelters within the jurisdiction of the Rescue Department of Ostrobothnia. Civil defence shelters are most often found in connection with larger housing associations or workplaces and are used by the residents or employees of these properties. Smaller housing companies or detached houses generally do not have civil defence shelters. In the event of a radiation hazard, protection is primarily provided indoors,” says the Director of the Rescue Department of Ostrobothnia, Tero Mäki.
As a general rule, a civil defence shelter must be built for a building if it has a floor area of at least 1,200 square metres. In other words, the responsibility for civil protection and safety lies largely with property owners.
“Civil defence shelters are most often used for other purposes during peacetime, such as storage or exercise facilities. However, it is required that, if necessary, they can be converted into a defence shelter within 72 hours. The conversion to civil defence shelters always takes place at the request of the authorities,” reminds Mäki.
Most civil defence shelters are building-specific across the nation
According to the Ministry of the Interior , there were 54,000 civil defence shelters in Finland at the beginning of 2020, with space for a total of 4.4 million people. The majority of shelters (approximately 85%) are private, reinforced concrete shelters connected to residential and commercial properties.
Bedrock shelters, which are shared by several properties, are also in use. In most cases, civil defence shelters are normally used for other purposes, such as sports halls, metro stations and parking spaces. Shelters in residential buildings are often used as storage space, for example.
More information on the Rescue Department of Ostrobothnia website: www.pohjanmaanpelastuslaitos.fi/palvelut/varautuminen/vaestonsuojat (in Finnish)
It is good for everyone to be properly prepared to survive three days at home
Checking the condition of civil defence shelters is one way to prepare. In addition to this, the current and specific way for each household to prepare for an extraordinary situation is to put together a home emergency food supply.
“A home emergency food supply means a stock of purchased food and drink for both people and pets that is sufficient for about three days. A home emergency food supply may be needed, for example, due to a power outage or pollution of clean water, disruptions in payment transactions or a strike that has a wide impact on society,” says the Director of Risk Management and Security at the City of Vaasa, Marjo Lindgren.
1 to 2 buckets of water per day should be reserved. In addition, a clean container or canister with a lid is required for water distribution. Water is needed not only for drinking, but also for cooking and personal hygiene.
More information on home preparation can be found at: https://72tuntia.fi/