Civil defence

Civil defence is a humanitarian activity intended to protect the civilian population and secure society’s ability to function during emergencies. The rescue authorities play a central operational and coordinating role in civil defence, while Finland’s Ministry of the Interior directs and coordinates national arrangements for civil defence, which are the responsibility of the rescue services.

The civil defence duties of the rescue authorities include warning the population, evacuation, directing people to civil defence shelters, and firefighting and rescue operations. The City of Helsinki’s Rescue Department is well prepared to carry out rescue operations, also during wartime conditions. We have rescue teams that are specially trained for not only urban search and rescue but also situations involving hazardous substances, and we have all the necessary special equipment.

Alongside rescue services, civil defence is the responsibility of the authorities in charge of the requisite duties under normal conditions. Various situation centres and crisis communications can nevertheless strengthen the flow, coordination and transmit of information. If it becomes necessary to make preparations for serious disruptions and civil defence, the authorities must broadly communicate with and instruct the public in a timely manner.

There are approximately 5,500 civil defence shelters in Helsinki with approximately 900,000 places. This number is enough to shelter both the permanent residents of the city and the projected numbers of civilians who may be visiting or in transit in the capital.

The range of foundations and organizations that comprise the third sector are important partners when it comes to organising civil defence. The City of Helsinki’s Rescue Department has collaborated with these groups for decades, and hundreds of trained volunteers participate in the city’s civil protection work.

Civil defence has a special status, defined by international agreements, which grants special protection to civil defence personnel, material and facilities during armed conflicts. The international symbol of civil defence is a blue triangle on an orange background. The City of Helsinki Rescue Department’s on-duty fire prevention officer can answer questions related to civil defence and the self-preparedness of Helsinki residents every weekday at palotorkastaja(at)hel.fi or at tel. +358 9 310 31203 between 9–11.00 and 12–14.00. You can also send your civil defence-related questions to vss(at)hel.fi.

More information: Civil defence in Helsinki | Helsinki City Rescue Department (pelastustoimi.fi)

Civil defence shelters

In the event of a dangerous situation or emergency, the authorities will warn the public by means of a general alarm system and official bulletins. In general, the first means of protection – taking shelter indoors and following instructions – is sufficient.

In exceptional situations, it may become necessary to take shelter in a civil defence shelter. The authorities will decide if and when the civil defence shelters shall be taken into use.

Modern civil defence shelters that have been readied appropriately provide protection against radiation, toxic substances, structural collapse and the effects of weapons.

Regulations on the duty to build civil defence shelters, their structural and maintenance requirements, and their readiness to be taken into use are outlined in Finland’s Rescue Act and various government decrees.

Civil defence shelters in buildings

In exceptional situations, it may become necessary to take shelter in a civil defence shelter. The authorities will decide if and when the civil defence shelters shall be taken into use.

Modern civil defence shelters that have been readied appropriately provide protection against radiation, toxic substances, structural collapse and the effects of weapons.

Property-specific civil defence shelters

The vast majority of civil defence shelters are located in residential and public buildings. These traditional shelters are normally located in the basement of the buildings. The protective door to the shelter is marked with the international symbol of civil defence: a blue triangle on an orange background.

The condition and readiness of the building’s civil defence shelter is the responsibility of the owner or holder of the building. In order to maintain and protect the civil defence shelter, the board of the housing company or the owner of the property must appoint a person responsible for this task. Rescue services arranges training for this person responsible for the civil defence shelter.

If the civil defence shelter is being used for another purpose, it must be possible to empty it and ready the space for use as a fully equipped and operational civil defence shelter within 72 hours.

Bedrock shelters

In addition to shelters located in residential, commercial and institutional buildings, Helsinki also maintains large civil defence shelters that have been carved into bedrock. In Helsinki, the bedrock shelters can be either public, shared or a combination of the two. Public shelters are intended for general use and serve as protection for members of the public who are in transit and those with no assigned shelter in their home or workplace building. Shared shelters are bedrock shelters that have been jointly reserved for members of housing associations or certain companies, agencies or institutions.

Under normal conditions, bedrock shelters are sometimes in alternate use as parking garages or facilities for sports and other free-time activities. In addition, several underground metro stations in the city centre are equipped to serve as civil defence shelters, if necessary. Either the City of Helsinki or a regional maintenance company is responsible for the condition of bedrock shelters that are in any kind of alternate use.

Civil defence shelter locations

The locations of Helsinki’s public and shared civil defence shelters can be found on the Helsinki Service Map by using the search word ‘civil defence shelter’.