Riga authorities will look for buildings where they can set up shelters

Currently, in cooperation with the State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), the local government has begun the first stage of a property survey, during which the suitability of school premises will be checked. At the second stage, it is planned to examine kindergartens, then social care institutions and medical institutions, and finally – administrative buildings of the municipality.

“This way we will get a report on how many municipal properties can be converted into shelters,” said Reinsons, adding that the survey rate might be regarding 100 properties per month.

The local government representative noted that the next step would be the improvement of premises suitable for short-term shelters, designed to stay in for up to two hours, but there is an intention to gradually convert shelters into places where one can stay for a long time. Rainsons said that short-term shelters should have a first aid kit, food reserves and equipment to help clear the exit. Long-term shelters require a ventilation system, large food supplies, a water supply, a diesel generator and room autonomy, that is, a backup exit is desirable.

Improved municipal shelters will be marked with three stickers: a marking approved by the GPSS guidelines; international markings and braille markings approved by the Geneva Convention. Information regarding the adapted objects will be included in the civil defense plan of the Riga municipality.

The mayor of Riga, Vilnis Kirsis, emphasized that the participation of the residents themselves is also important, and called on residents of the capital to inspect the basements of their buildings and adapt them into safe shelters. At the same time, Kirsis said that the premises should be dual-purpose, that is, they should be used now, and at the same time, residents should know where these premises are, how to get into them and what is located inside. As an example, the mayor of Riga cited the sports complex of Riga Secondary School No. 49, the basement of which will soon be cleared of unnecessary things and landscaped as a shelter, while in parallel, separate basement rooms will be used as Jaunsardze’s premises.

As reported, during the Great Cleanup Day on April 27, employees of the Riga Municipality will tidy up the basement owned by the municipality in the protective structure located next to the basic school “Rīdze” at 1 Siegfried Anna Meirovica Boulevard, as well as the premises in the social care center suitable for equipping a shelter. “Mezciems”, showing an example of how a basement can be put in order and adapted to the requirements of civil defense. By putting these basements in order, the local government begins a process during which it will identify municipal property suitable for use as shelters, and also, as part of an information campaign, will encourage residents to follow their example.