Where to run on Day X? 390 civil defense shelters certified in the country 0 9

I would go to the fire department

Ivars Nakurts, Deputy Chief of the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD), noted that starting in 2025, an additional payment of 300 euros per month will be paid to all employees with special ranks (previous additional payments for ranks — up to 170 euros — will also remain). Firefighters have so far struggled with a shortage of personnel. "There was increasing dissatisfaction among officials, and they had to be relocated." This year, thanks to the increase in wages, "a queue has formed," and 170 new employees have been accepted. "We will be able to provide quality service to the population." Overtime, weekend, and holiday work are fully paid in the fire service; replacement work is compensated at 30%.

Colonel Nakurts pointed out that his service has an exception that does not exist in the police or border guard — it is possible to accept people who have "sinned" and have been convicted. Currently, 18 such individuals have been accepted, "the stories vary, from youthful mistakes..." Naturally, during the interview, there are questions that require "loyalty." For example, if a person hesitates in determining who is to blame in the war between Russia and Ukraine, they are at best assigned a 6-month probationary period. Or they are not accepted at all.

– This is the decision of the commission, not personal, - emphasized the deputy chief. It is important for firefighters that a person not only seeks a longer vacation but also invests in the work where they are provided with a uniform. VUGD pays a lot of attention to internal communication — commanders' meetings are held, an internal electronic publication is released, and an annual report is prepared to determine the level of employee satisfaction.

"The hardest part for us is with officials engaged in intellectual work, such as fire inspectors. Training lasts a year, during which people work alongside senior inspectors, checking equipment. Currently, there are actively 68 inspectors."

Currently, a self-declaration system for fire alarms is in place, and "the system helps."

The bunkers of our salvation

Regarding civil defense shelters, Mr. Nakurts reported that fire and rescue experts have inspected 4,710 facilities and assessed 3,300. Some of the buildings mentioned in the cadastre have often changed owners and do not correspond to reality; the verdict is "demolished or burned down." In total, 390 facilities have been confirmed in Latvia that meet the status of a shelter; 1,256 facilities partially meet the criteria. It is worth reminding that the civil defense system fell victim to a major financial crisis — in 2008, under the government of Ivars Godmanis ("Latvian First Party/Latvian Way"), a decision was made to liquidate shelters as such!

Currently, European funds have allocated over 22 million euros to Latvia, allowing municipalities to develop 570 projects for the reconstruction of shelters. Riga is leading — about half a thousand facilities wish to receive EU funds. In particular, the walls and ceilings of former Soviet bunkers will be reinforced.

Currently, 15 crisis management centers have been put into operation in Latvia, where the police, emergency medical service, and fire and rescue department cooperate, with three more centers preparing to be commissioned.

Are volunteers needed in firefighting?

An important element of the civil defense system is public organizations — the same volunteer fire brigades. Municipalities will take on the function of coordinating and equipping them. Buildings and used equipment are also being transferred to them. However, volunteers face problems — they are sometimes not allowed into the facilities they are preparing to extinguish during "Hour X!" This was reported by a deputy from "New Unity," a former professional firefighter who served in his native Valmiera for 30 years as a colonel.

The volunteer movement is taken into account by firefighters, and the deputy chief of VUGD emphasized the role of local civil defense commissions. "When trees fall, we involve these volunteers. What is important now? Civil defense formations require investments. Currently, the volunteer movement does not ask for anything. Of course, there will be some needs, and it is necessary to work out so that their involvement is compensated. So that they are constantly trained, and they fill these niches."

As an example, autumn exercises for organizing civil defense evacuation centers were mentioned. Many people were needed who agreed to personally experience transportation in crisis conditions, overnight stays in hastily converted premises. "There are an unusually high number of problems and challenges," noted the firefighter.

Colonel Nakurts also mentioned that for a long time, VUGD had problems hiring young people after school. For example, last year, after filtering based on health criteria, only three young men were admitted to the fire and rescue college. This year, there is a noticeable increase — over 20. "We travel a lot, telling people — come to us! But we have many competitors — the National Armed Forces, Zemessardze."

– When will mobilization begin? – asked the head of the Saeima commission. The head of the subcommittee explained that a military invasion of Latvia should be the justification.

But even before that, municipalities can involve their employees, teachers, in organizing evacuation points in schools. It may turn out, for example, that a cruise ship in the Baltic Sea runs aground — and it will be necessary to evacuate over a thousand people to shore. Such centers will also require registration (for example, using bracelets) and the organization of psychological assistance. Ivars Nakurts cited the Estonian women's defense organization as an example. This work should be carried out jointly with the Ministry of the Interior, represented by the State Fire and Rescue Service. For now, unfortunately, "there is no motivation and funding to create such formations." Meanwhile, employees in these structures will not be called up to the army during wartime.

Saving application

_The resource 112.lv allows not only to call emergency services but also to determine the nearest shelter to you in case of an emergency, as well as to provide advice in case of a crisis.