Frequently asked questions
Crises can arise unexpectedly and impact our daily lives in many ways - be it power or water outages, empty store shelves, or disrupted communication. In these situations, being aware and prepared can make all the difference for you and your loved ones. Here, you’ll find answers to common questions that will guide you to get ready for a crisis, give example of what supplies to keep at home, and how to respond in emergencies.
What is a resilience center?
A resilience center is a public building or space located within a local government unit, where residents can receive information, advice, and assistance during a crisis. You can find more information about the resilience centers from this link.
Where are the sirens in Estonia?
There are currently 22 cities and areas covered with sirens. The locations have been chosen based on different criteria, for example the population density. Even if some sirens are visible in the public space, we do not publicise all of their locations together as sirens are for the protection of the state and public.
Why you should have emergency supplies?
In a crisis situation, our daily lives can be unexpectedly disrupted – the power supply may fail, the taps may run dry, shops may be closed, and communication could be limited or entirely cut off. In such situations, quick assistance might not always be available, and you may need to manage on your own for a while.
A well-stocked home can help you and your loved ones better cope with a crisis by providing essential resources such as food, water, light, heat, and basic supplies. By preparing in advance, you can remain calm during a crisis, ensure the well-being of your family members, and avoid making decisions driven by panic.
Where can I find information about public shelters?
Most public shelters are closed on a day-to-day basis and will only opened when the military threat increases. Check the map of public shelters for more information!
Where can I find information during a crisis?
The website you are currently visiting (olevalmis.ee) helps you you to prepare for a crisis. If a crisis threatens life, health, or property, the government will send direct alerts through the emergency notification system called EE-ALARM. This system includes location-based SMS alerts, mobile apps “OLE VALMIS!” ("Be Prepared") and “Eesti.ee”, a siren network, text crawlers on ETV and ETV+ channels, and RDS text on the Vikerraadio channel.
You can verify the information received from emergency notifications and find additional information from:
- Websites: kriis.ee, olevalmis.ee
- State helpline 1247 (+372 600 1247 when calling from abroad.)
- Various channels of ERR
- Social media channels of government agencies
The quickest way to receive alerts is through the EE-ALARM system, as well as the websites kriis.ee and olevalmis.ee and the state helpline 1247. Information from the media and social media may take a little longer to reach you, depending on how quickly agencies respond and share information.
Make sure you have a battery-operated or dynamo radio and fully charged power banks at home to access information in crisis. Both ERR and Levira, the broadcasting network's service provider, play essential roles in ensuring the continuity of crucial services and the dissemination of information during times of crisis.