Latvia has civil protection plans but lacks practical readiness

Latvia has drawn up civil protection plans and identified shelters, but its practical ability to respond to a large-scale crisis remains limited, LSM’s investigative programme De Facto reported.

Recent drone incidents in Latvia have renewed questions about the country’s preparedness for a serious threat. The State Fire and Rescue Service acknowledged that a widespread crisis could expose shortages of some material resources. A mass evacuation could also be hampered by a lack of transport, drivers and trained personnel.

Many residents do not understand their role in strengthening society’s resilience. Although the 112 Latvija emergency app has offered information about the nearest shelter for more than a year, few people approached by De Facto knew about the feature.

A University of Latvia study last year found that Riga lagged behind Tallinn, Vilnius and Helsinki in crisis preparedness. Only 14 percent of Riga residents knew where their nearest shelter was, while fewer than half knew what to do when an emergency siren sounded. About one in six said they felt prepared for a crisis.

This year’s survey found that most Riga residents placed greater responsibility for their safety on the state than on themselves. Nearly a quarter placed full responsibility on the state.

“Residents do not understand why they themselves should prepare and be self-reliant for those 72 hours, or how they can help the state,” said Ieva Birka, a leading researcher at the University of Latvia’s Institute of Social and Political Research.

Birka said people also often failed to understand why they should report suspicious activity to the State Police. She said residents did not see their own role, even though they could be important in such situations.

Four years ago, the State Audit Office concluded that civil protection had been neglected for years and that practical preparedness was insufficient. Since then, a Crisis Management Centre has been established, a cell broadcast system introduced, shelters identified and civil protection plans prepared.

However, the plans and documents still need to be assessed for whether they have been tested in practice. The summary of the report also noted that evacuation plans were unclear and that assistance from trained members of the public would be needed in a large-scale crisis.