“According to Margo Klaos, Director-General of the Estonian Rescue Board, physical booklets containing the information will be delivered to every Estonian home. This ensures that the information remains accessible to everyone, regardless of electricity or internet availability.”
“In recent years, we've made significant improvements to how we communicate during a crisis,” said Klaos. “However, it's important to continually refresh people's crisis management knowledge and skills. These instructions will help us cope with any crisis. If we are prepared for the worst, we are prepared for anything.”
In addition to crisis response instructions, the booklet includes a reminder about necessary home supplies, the recommended contents of an evacuation bag, and important phone numbers and websites.
It updates the essential information contained in the “Ole valmis!” guide distributed to Estonian homes in 2022 and is available in four languages – Estonian, Russian, English, and Ukrainian. While the printed version is trilingual, a digital version in Ukrainian is also available.
The Estonian Rescue Board encourages people to keep the hazard information guide in an easily accessible place. The digital version can be found at olevalmis.ee and other national websites.
The State Employs Diverse Channels for Risk Communication
The state uses a variety of channels to quickly warn citizens of threats. These include mobile phone messages (EE-ALARM) and a developing network of sirens. When necessary, door-to-door notifications and alarm vehicle sirens are also used. Mass media and the internet are crucial in spreading information as well.
“In any crisis, the Emergency Response Centre is Estonians' first point of contact,” explained Rein Olesk, crisis and continuity expert at the Emergency Response Centre. “We dispatch ambulances, police, and rescue services, send out EE-ALARM messages, and provide reliable information and instructions on the state information line, 1247.”
“If you receive an EE-ALARM alert, follow the initial message instructions on how to stay safe. For more information, call 1247 or visit kriis.ee,” Olesk added.
