Vilnius plans remote access systems for civil defence shelters

Vilnius City Municipality plans to provide additional funding to improve civil defence shelters and install remote unlocking systems, LRT reported.

“While the government has not yet clarified the procedure, the requirement remains that shelters must be opened within 12 hours of an alert being issued. However, it is clear that people need protection immediately in the event of an air-raid warning, so we are looking for ways to ensure rapid access to shelters,” Vilnius municipal administration director Adomas Bužinskas said in a statement.

Nearly 72 percent of shelter space in the capital is located in apartment buildings. According to the municipality, these buildings have the largest nominal capacity, but also raise the most questions about access, responsibility and clearing the premises.

Municipal recommendations urge apartment building administrators to establish an access procedure for shelters or other safe rooms in advance, make it known to residents and appoint several people responsible for it. Buildings with shelters should also display information about how to access them and where the nearest alternative shelter is located.

“Access to a shelter cannot depend on one person or one key, so it is important to provide backup unlocking solutions. We understand that this requires investment, which is why we plan to provide additional funding to help residents,” Bužinskas said.

The municipality plans to launch a shelter support programme this year. Its funding could be used to install remote unlocking systems in rooms included on the official shelter list. Support would also be available for installing window protection measures at educational institutions without shelters.

The plans follow several air-raid warnings issued in parts of Lithuania in May and June. On June 13, the Lithuanian Armed Forces warned of a possible air threat in Vilnius County, but the warning was later cancelled. On May 21, an air-raid warning was issued in Utena County after two drones entered Lithuanian airspace. A day earlier, Vilnius County was placed under an air-raid warning and a red threat level, the first such case in the history of the restored state.

After the warnings, it emerged that some shelters had been locked and that some educational institutions had not coordinated their actions properly.

According to the Lithuanian Armed Forces, the yellow status means an attack is possible but has not begun, and residents should identify shelters in case the status changes to red. Red indicates an immediate threat to life or safety and requires people to follow instructions, such as sheltering or evacuating. White means there is no danger, although residents are advised to remain alert and continue monitoring information.