Helsinki City Rescue Department
Questions and answers about civil defence
What is civil defence?
Civil defence refers to the performance of humanitarian tasks aimed at protecting the civilian population against the dangers of hostilities and accidents, helping them to cope with the immediate effects of hostilities and accidents and creating the conditions necessary for survival.
The Finnish authorities are prepared to protect the population comprehensively, and they constantly monitor the world situation and its development. The authorities also exercise civil defence annually. Finland is well prepared.
What kind of civil defence shelters are there in Helsinki?
A civil defence shelter is a space or building that protects the civilian population, for example, from explosions and splinter effects, building collapses, shock waves and hazardous substances and radiation. Civil defence shelters are marked with an international symbol, which is a blue triangle on an orange background.
Property-specific civil defence shelters, i.e. household shelters, are the basis for sheltering in Helsinki. The rescue plan for each property shows the location of the property’s civil defence shelter, and more information can be obtained from the housing company, property manager or building supervision authority.
In addition to building-, company- and institution-specific shelters, there are also shelters carved into the bedrock in Helsinki, which are divided into public and shared civil defence shelters.
Built by the City of Helsinki, the public civil defence shelters are intended for people living, working or staying in Helsinki and people on the move. In addition, metro stations in the city centre are equipped to be used as civil defence shelters. The bedrock shelters built for shared use are intended for the residents and employees in the properties that have participated in the construction of the shelters.
In areas of detached houses and in the countryside, there are usually no civil protection shelters.
How many civil defence shelters are there in Helsinki?
The number of civil defence shelters in Helsinki is sufficient. There are approximately 5,500 civil defence shelters in the city with approximately 900,000 places.
Helsinki’s largest bedrock civil defence shelters for the public are located in Kamppi, East Pasila, North Kontula and Kallio, each with approximately 10,000 places.
Where can I find information about civil defence shelters in Helsinki and their location?
Information on public and shared bedrock shelters can be found in the City of Helsinki service map.
The location of household shelters can be seen in the property’s rescue plan, which must also include a mention of the lack of a shelter if there is no building obligation.
If necessary, you can ask the on-call fire safety inspector, tel. +358 9 310 31203 on weekdays at 9–11 and 12–14 and by email at 9–15 at palotarkastaja@hel.fi.
How do I protect myself if I do not have a civil defence shelter?
If the situation so requires, the authorities will instruct those who have not been allocated a place in a civil defence shelter. In an emergency, you can go to the nearest civil defence shelter. In order to protect the population, the authorities can also evacuate the population. Evacuations will only be carried out if the population cannot be protected in any other way.
When are civil defence shelters taken into protective use?
Under normal conditions, civil defence shelters are used in accordance with the building permit, for example, as storage spaces, recreational and social facilities or parking garages.
If the situation requires the civil protection shelters to be made operational, an official order will be issued. In this case, the shelters must be made ready for use not later than 72 hours after the official order is issued. The residents or other users of the property will empty the shelter and prepare it for use under the guidance of a pre-designated civil defence shelter caretaker.
How will I be informed if I need to go to a civil defence shelter?
The authorities constantly monitor the world situation and its development and intensify preparedness if necessary to protect the population. The authorities will also instruct the public on self-preparedness and the possible future need to take shelter in good time in many ways and using several channels if it becomes necessary.
The need to go to a civil defence shelter is indicated by a general alarm signal and an emergency warning. The alarm signal given through the civil defence system is a regularly rising (7 seconds) and falling (7 seconds) sound lasting for one minute or a warning issued by the authorities using loudspeakers. A general alarm signal is always accompanied by an emergency warning, which is read on all radio channels and shown in YLE’s, MTV3’s and Nelonen’s television programmes as running text on top of the screen as well as on the teletext page 112.
The Emergency Response Centre Agency also uses the 112 mobile application.
More information about the alarm signal at rescue services website.
What does self-preparedness and home emergency supply mean?
For example, a prolonged power outage can cause a situation in which the services provided by society can be interrupted. Households should be prepared for special situations lasting 72 hours.
Home emergency supply includes food that is easy to prepare and suitable for all family members, as well as water. In addition, it would be good to have, for example, a battery-powered radio and flashlight, an emergency power supply for charging the phone, essential medicines, a camping stove and matches and cash. For a more detailed list and instructions, see the website.
What should I take with me to the civil defence shelter?
In sheltering situations, you must take with you your ID card, food, drink, personal medicines and toiletries, iodine tablets and bedding (for example, a sleeping bag and a camping mattress) for approximately 2–3 days. In addition, it may be useful to bring a flashlight and batteries, earplugs, a mobile phone charger and entertainment (books, games, paper, pens).
Alcohol, drugs, weapons, heat generators (gas cooker, storm lantern, etc.) and smelly products may not be brought to the civil defence shelter. Smoking is not allowed in the shelter.
Why is it recommended to take iodine tablets to the civil defence shelter?
For example, in a serious nuclear power plant accident, radioactive iodine may be released into the air. The accumulation of this radioactive iodine in the thyroid gland is reduced by taking an iodine tablet. Proper timing is important when taking iodine tablets, and they should only be taken at the request of an authority. Official instructions will be announced on the radio and television. Follow the instructions on the package for dosing. You can buy iodine tablets from pharmacies.
Do mobile phones work in a civil defence shelter?
Mobile phone coverage must be arranged in the civil defence shelters.
How long will we stay in the shelter?
The shelters are designed so that you can stay there for several days if necessary. The law requires civil defence shelters to include various equipment and accessories that ensure, among other things, filtered ventilation in situations where there is toxic gas or radioactive substances outside.
The duration of taking shelter depends on the danger. At present, the starting point is the maximum continuous sheltering period of approximately three days. In a situation such as war, the shelters would probably be used for overnight stays and shorter periods of taking shelter, for example. In that case, the authorities will provide instructions on taking shelter.
Where do I put my pets in a civil defence situation?
You are not allowed to take animals into civil defence shelters, even in an exceptional situation. If people are advised to go to civil defence shelters, pets can be sheltered inside flats.
How is the condition of civil defence shelters taken care of?
The condition of a shelter is maintained annually, and the equipment and accessories of the shelter must be maintained.
The periodic inspection of the equipment in a civil defence shelter must be carried out at least every 10 years. When inspecting the functioning of the equipment, an inspection report must be drawn up, recording the inspections carried out on each device. The inspection report must be presented to the rescue authorities upon request.
The operability of the equipment and accessories in the civil defence shelter must be ensured in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer. It is recommended to test the ventilation equipment of the civil defence shelter, open and close the relief and no-return valves, inspect the condition of the seals and inspect the civil defence material annually.
In what condition are the civil defence shelters in Helsinki?
All civil defence shelters under the responsibility of the City of Helsinki provide protection against bombing and splinter effects, but there is a need for modernisation especially in the emergency power and ventilation systems. Basic improvement work is carried out in a long-term and systematic manner. The renovation of one shelter was completed in 2022, and plans for the renovation of five shelters are ready.
Most of the civil defence shelters in Helsinki are managed by housing companies, and their condition is the responsibility of the housing company itself.
Who can I contact if I want to help in civil defence activities?
Volunteers are needed and are very welcome to help the authorities. Civil defence training is provided, for example, by Helsingin pelastusliitto HELPE and
Maanpuolustuskoulutusyhdistys MPK (in Finnish).