A recent survey on public attitudes towards crisis preparedness and awareness show that 70% of Estonian residents believe that, if instructed to shelter while at home, they would seek the safest place within their residence. There has also been an increase in the proportion of people who have taken steps to ensure that a suitable sheltering space exists in their home or workplace, rising from 22% to 31% over the past year. However, only around one quarter of respondents consider their residence to have a suitable sheltering space. It is therefore important that people know how to reduce their vulnerability through sheltering, regardless of whether a purpose-adapted shelter is available nearby during an emergency.
The best place to shelter is the nearest indoor location, preferably on the lowest possible floor, behind as many solid walls as possible, and as far away as possible from windows and glass surfaces.
On October 14, Estonia will hold its third nationwide public warning test of the year, also designated as a National Crisis Preparedness Day. Together with the Emergency Response Centre, the Estonian Information System Authority (RIA), the Information Technology and Development Centre of the Ministry of the Interior (SMIT) and the Women’s Voluntary Defence Organisation (Naiskodukaitse), all channels of the EE-ALARM public warning system will be activated.
A reminder SMS informing recipients about the test will be sent before lunchtime. Between 15:00 and 15:10, warning sirens will sound and notifications will be sent through the Eesti app and the “Ole valmis!” mobile application. Information banners regarding the test will also be displayed on the channels of the Estonian Public Broadcasting Service (ERR), including ETV, ETV+, ERR.ee and the ERR News mobile application. There is no real danger, and no separate notification will be issued when the test concludes.
The public warning test provides an excellent opportunity for individuals to consider and practise sheltering arrangements in their homes, workplaces and schools. On October 14, for example, sheltering exercises will take place in Tallinn’s Rotermann Quarter, while similar exercises are planned throughout the month in other organisations, businesses and educational institutions.
Further information on how to shelter and how to prepare a sheltering location can be found at www.olevalmis.ee/en/seeking-shelter.
Civil Protection Month activities
In addition to the nationwide awareness campaign and the public warning system test, the Estonian Rescue Services Agency will organise a range of activities and events throughout Civil Protection Month. Members of the public will be able to test their knowledge through civil protection quizzes held across Estonia in public buildings and rescue stations.
The Agency is also inviting kindergartens and schools to participate in creative challenges, while youth centres will host practical workshops to help young people develop crisis preparedness skills. Various crisis preparedness events will also take place in municipalities throughout the country.
Information sessions will be organised for educational institutions and representatives of apartment associations, providing guidance on how to develop sheltering plans and identify the safest locations within buildings. Civil protection topics will also reach television audiences this autumn. From October 12 to 16, the Estonian Rescue Services Agency will invite viewers to take part in the Kanal 2 quiz programme “15 Questions”. In early November, viewers are encouraged to tune in to ETV and ETV+, where the new series “What If...” and “Important to Know!” will premiere. The programmes will follow Estonian families as they explore how to respond to various crisis situations, including power outages and the need for household emergency supplies.
More information about Civil Protection Month activities is available at www.olevalmis.ee/en.
