INFORMATION ON CIVIL DEFENCE

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Civil defence shelters and civil defence have become a topical subject extensively discussed. This page contains information related to civil defence and civil defence shelters. Among other things, civil defence and civil defence shelters-related legislation, basic principles, and history are covered. In addition, we are compiling information related to rescue operations and more detailed information on civil defence shelters in practice. The page is being updated all the time.

CIVIL DEFENCE

Image: Civil defence shelters come in different sizes. The civil defence shelter in the image was built on the ground floor of a residential building and is used as a basement storage most of the time. The structures are dimensioned to withstand shock loads generated by weaponry and construction thereof is governed by precise specifications. The civil defence shelter in the image is a category S1 civil defence shelter made of reinforced concrete elements.

Civil defence is related to exceptional situations in which people and property are protected and emergency measures are prepared for. Civil defence is also an important part of rescue operations, which involve minimisation of damages and injuries from accidents and first aid. In Finland, rescue operations are managed by the Ministry of the Interior, which supervises the Rescue Services and is liable for their service capacity.

More information and links on civil defence and rescue operations:

Ministry of the Interior

Finnish Rescue Services

The Finnish National Rescue Association

Bulletin by the Pirkanmaa Rescue Department (PDF, in Finnish)

Would you cope on your own for 72 hours?

CIVIL DEFENCE SHELTERS BY CITY

Image: International symbol for civil defence shelter

CIVIL DEFENCE REGULATION

Image: The purpose of civil defence shelter protection materials is to safeguard the operation of the civil defence shelter during a disastrous event. The protection materials are delivered packed in a single box also functioning as the storage box for the materials. The contents and quantity of protection materials vary depending on the number of building or civil defence shelter inhabitants. The protection materials include, for example, first-aid fire-fighting, rescue and clearing equipment, personal protective equipment and first aid supplies, iodine tablets and a radiation detector. The purpose of the protection materials is to safeguard the operation of the civil defence shelter during a disastrous event.

According to Section 1 of the Civil Defence Act, the purpose of civil defence is to protect the population and property against damage resulting from war and other comparable circumstances, as well as to limit the damage caused by them and mitigate their consequences.

More information about the Civil Defence Act:

Finlex: Rescue Act

Finlex: Government Decree on Civil Defence Shelters

In Finland, rescue operations are managed by the Ministry of the Interior, which supervises the Rescue Services and is liable for their service capacity. Instructions for citizens on practical measures related to civil defence are always accompanied with guidelines from the Ministry of the Interior, the Rescue Services, and municipal authorities.

THE SIGNIFICANCE AND HISTORY OF CIVIL DEFENCE SHELTERS

Image: A fragment shelter was built at the Diana Park, Erottaja square in Helsinki in October 1939. The Diana Park rock shelter was built in 1972 based on designs by the Engineering Office Parkatti & Salonen.

Based on the Finnish value system, for more than five decades, we have sought to equally protect all citizens instead of just soldiers and leaders by building civil defence shelters throughout the country. The Finnish civil defence shelter construction system has been an ingenious solution, as the shelters have been built in connection with other construction. The costs for the construction have been paid by the owner of the building, who in turn has had the possibility to decide how the shelter is to be used under normal circumstances. We, Finns, should be proud of such an achievement. Source: Pekka Rajajärvi: Väestönsuojien rakentamisen historia ja käsikirja 1927-2016 (The History and Handbook of Civil Defence Shelter Construction 1927-2016).

In Finland, modern civil defence shelters have been built since 1959. The justification has been the necessity to guarantee basic security. Building civil defence shelters in the hour of need is difficult or even impossible. Because of this, they must be designed and built under normal circumstances with a long-term outlook. By a legislative amendment in 2011, the deployment term of the civil defence shelters was extended from one day to three. This means that in normal times, more attention must be paid to the condition of civil defence shelters.

According to VSSR, a civil engineering protection association, a large majority of Finns still support construction of civil defence shelters. Eight years ago, the feeling of insecurity among Finns was more common than ever since 1990. Today, the situation is even worse.

Rescue information: “In 80 years, Finland developed into a great power of civil defence”