Finnish authorities are prepared to protect the population
Planning and preparedness for civil protection are part of the duties of all authorities. The rescue services and other authorities have prepared to protect the population. Activities during emergency conditions are planned in advance through measures such as contingency plans and exercises.
Civil protection is a broad concept. The population can be protected from the effects of weapons, for example, through shelters and evacuations. Evacuation means moving people to a safer area during war or other conflict. Civil protection tasks also include warning the population as well as firefighting and rescue operations.
Civil defence shelters are built where most people need protection
In Finland, there are approximately 50,500 civil defence shelters providing about 4.8 million shelter places. A defence shelter is a space designed to protect against explosions, fragments, building collapse, radiation, and toxic substances.
Defence shelters are usually located especially in cities and population centers, where people live, work, and move in large numbers. In sparsely populated areas, rural regions, and detached house areas, shelters are generally not available. In these areas, authorities provide instructions for protection by other means when necessary.
Most civil defence shelters are property-specific. For example, apartment buildings, row houses, schools, hospitals, shopping centers, and office buildings often have shelters. Anyone in need of protection can use a defence shelter if there is space available.
- Property-specific civil defence shelters are built during normal construction when the building is large enough.
- Shared defence shelters serve several properties.
- Public defence shelters are built to protect mobile populations and to supplement shelter needs in major cities.
Information about a property’s defence shelter, such as in an apartment building, or the nearest public shelter is often found in the property’s rescue plan.
Answers to questions about shelters and protection
When must a building have a defence shelter?
In Finland, civil defence shelter construction is targeted based on risk to the largest buildings.
According to the Rescue Act, a shelter must be built when the building’s floor area exceeds 1,200 m² and the building is used for permanent residence, work, or occupancy. For industrial, production, storage, and assembly buildings, the corresponding limit is 1,500 m².
How can you recognize a civil defence shelter?
The international civil protection symbol is a blue equilateral triangle on an orange background. Civil defence shelters are marked with this symbol below.
Basic knowledge of shelters and protection is important.
What should I do if I need to seek defence shelter?
Shelters would be taken into use by authority order in the event of a war threat. After that people can move to them as quickly as needed.
In normal conditions, for example during a gas hazard or radiation situation, protection is sought indoors - not in defence shelters.
If civil defence shelters are in use, move immediately to the nearest shelter. When seeking protection indoors, stay as close as possible to strong structures, such as the central parts of the building.
Keep your radio on at all times. Follow official information. Always verify the source of news and alerts, especially when using social media.
Carry ID, essential medicines, a mobile phone, a small amount of cash, and drinking water. The need for protection may arise quickly, leaving no time to collect supplies.
Take to the shelter:
- Drinks and food that can be consumed without heating
- Hygiene supplies
- Equipment for overnight stay and comfort (e.g., sleeping bag and mat)
- Headlamp or flashlight that works with batteries or without mains power
- Power bank for charging mobile phones and devices
- Earplugs and eye mask for sleeping
- Items for leisure (books, games, toys, paper, pens)
Watch the Ministry of the Interior’s YouTube video on shelters. (In Finnish)
A defence shelter is a valuable part of a property. It must be well maintained.
The building owner is responsible for civil defence shelter maintenance
The defence shelter must be kept in such condition that it can be taken into use within 72 hours. Under normal conditions, shelters can be used as hobby spaces or storage areas.
The activation of a defence shelter must be planned in advance. The building owner or shelter holder is responsible for preparing this plan. The plan should include practical instructions for activation and use, such as preparing the space, equipping it, starting technical systems, and providing guidance for moving into the shelter.
It is important that the property has a person familiar with defence shelter activation. Regional rescue associations organize training on shelters.
The building owner is responsible for civil defence shelter maintenance. The defence shelter and its equipment must be inspected and serviced at least every 10 years. An inspection report must be prepared. Rescue authorities monitor compliance, for example during fire safety inspections, to ensure shelters are properly inspected and maintained.
Watch the video on typical deficiencies in shelters. (In Finnish)
Read more:
Emergency conditions
Sheltering indoors
Warning signal
STUK – Authorities cooperate in radiation hazards
Shelters in new construction
Civil protection assists the civilian population
Shelters would be used during a military threat
