Lithuania proposes advance notification system for assigned bomb shelters

A group of Lithuanian lawmakers has proposed a legal amendment requiring residents to be individually notified in advance of their designated bomb shelter in case of emergency, LRT reports.

The proposal, submitted by Linas Jonauskas, chair of the Seimas Environmental Protection Committee, and other Social Democratic Party members, would mandate that authorities inform residents—based on their declared place of residence—about their nearest assigned shelter during air threats, acts of aggression, or wartime. If no shelter is available or the resident is not at their declared address, they would receive details on the nearest public alternatives.

Jonauskas argued that recent chaos during a red air alert exposed critical gaps in public preparedness. “Even with awareness campaigns, people still don’t know which shelter is assigned to them or where it’s located,” he said. “In an emergency, this lack of knowledge could be fatal.”

The lawmaker warned that without clear, pre-assigned shelter assignments, panic-driven crowds could overwhelm the same visible shelters, creating dangerous bottlenecks. “Mass rushes at entrances, logistical chaos, and overloaded infrastructure could lead to additional casualties,” he said.

While shelter information is currently available on official portals and maps, Jonauskas noted that many—especially older adults or those without internet access—struggle to find it during crises. “Every resident should know in advance where and how to take cover to protect themselves and their families,” he stressed.

If approved, local municipalities would likely bear responsibility for implementing the notifications. Existing regulations outline shelter use but do not require proactive, individualized communication of assignments.