Finland has recently completed a comprehensive assessment of its bomb shelters, prompted by concerns over Russia’s military activity in Ukraine. The Interior Ministry revealed that the country has more than 50,500 active shelters, with 91% of them deemed robust enough to withstand conventional attacks. Moreover, 83% of the shelters are capable of providing protection from chemical or nuclear emergencies. These facilities are equipped with essential features such as ventilators, impervious doors, stackable beds, and dry closets, which are legally mandated.
The inspections found that these shelters could accommodate around 4.8 million inhabitants, which is a significant proportion of Finland’s population of 5.5 million. Many of these shelters are currently being used for various purposes, including housing swimming pools, sports centers, and even a Santa Claus theme park. However, the Interior Ministry’s project manager, Ira Pasi, highlighted that some shelters require repairs and have faults that prevent them from being operational within the 72-hour timeframe mandated by law. Finnish law holds the owners responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of these shelters.
Pasi further explained that the main issues with the shelters are a result of neglecting regular maintenance, errors in planning or installation, and mistakes in alteration, repair, and usage. She suggested that the root causes of these problems are a lack of knowledge, skills, and the right attitudes and motivation.
In light of the findings, Pasi emphasized the importance of Finland safeguarding its civil protection infrastructure, which has been developed over the decades and is worth billions of euros. She issued four recommendations to enhance the shelter system, with a primary focus on improving communication and education about civil defense.
The evaluation of Finland’s shelters comes as the country departed from its historical stance of neutrality and officially became a member of NATO last year, citing concerns about Russia as the driving force. However, Moscow has consistently reaffirmed that it poses no threat to Finland. The two nations share a 1,300km border. Russian officials have criticized Finland’s alignment with the US-led military bloc, perceiving it as a threat to Russia’s security. They argue that the move has eroded a long-standing, mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries.
Finland’s proactive approach to assess and maintain its bomb shelters underscores its commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of its citizens in the face of potential threats. With ongoing tensions in the region, it is crucial for Finland to prioritize the upkeep of these facilities and address any shortcomings to ensure their functionality in times of need.
Source link
