What do I do?

Preparing for incidents and crises

To get the best help for your situation, first answer the questions on the guide's start page.

Preparedness in housing companies

Duties and obligations of housing companies in preparedness

Housing companies must be prepared for incidents and crises.

The housing company should appoint one or more people to oversee the civil defence shelter and building safety. Anyone can take part in maintaining safety in their housing company.

If the property has a civil defence shelter, at least one person needs to know how to activate it and how to guide residents if sheltering becomes necessary. This is important because residents themselves are responsible for activating and operating the shelter.

The Finnish National Rescue Association and regional rescue associations provide training for civil defence shelter caretakers. Residents can together agree who will be trained to operate the shelter.

The housing company, as the property owner, is responsible for ensuring that:

the property has an up-to-date emergency plan for residents, based on the risks identified in the building and its surroundings
residents are familiar with the instructions for preventing accidents and for acting in emergencies or in the event of danger, as well as other safety guidance
if the housing company has a civil defence shelter, it is properly maintained together with its equipment and residents know how to activate it within 72 hours.

In practice, the housing company's board, the property manager and the maintenance company together ensure that safety measures and inspections are carried out. Residential buildings with at least three apartments have a statutory obligation to prepare an emergency plan.

Housing companies should also encourage residents to discuss their building’s safety arrangements.

Residents must be familiar with the building’s instructions on preventing accidents, acting in incidents or emergencies and sheltering in the civil defence shelter. Everyone should also keep home emergency supplies for at least three days.

Residents must ensure the safety of their own home and behave in a way that does not cause hazards. Everyone has a duty to prevent accidents.

If you notice a hazard or an accident has occurred:

try to stop the danger
warn anyone at risk
call the emergency response centre
begin rescue measures within your abilities.

The building owner has to ensure that the civil defence shelter is maintained, serviced and inspected in line with regulations. The work may be carried out by the property maintenance company, an external provider or another competent operator.

Maintenance includes regular servicing to ensure the condition of equipment, fittings and structures, and the functioning of the shelter as a whole. Servicing follows the equipment manufacturer’s instructions, typically once a year.

The operational condition of the shelter must be inspected at least every ten years. This inspection verifies the readiness of the shelter as a whole.

All materials required for the activation and use of the shelter must be available.

The shelter must have tools and equipment such as signs, water containers, toilets and functional communication equipment. Materials must be acquired in advance based on the activation and use plan.

Updated: 10/3/2026

Activating a civil defence shelter in a housing company

Civil defence shelters are prepared for sheltering if ordered by the rescue authorities. The property holder, which in practice means the housing company’s board, is responsible for activating the shelter and giving sheltering instructions.

Activation of civil defence shelters begins on the order of the rescue authorities.
Shelters must be ready for use within 72 hours.
Residents prepare the shelter themselves. If the shelter has been used for storage, residents must clear out their storage cages.

The emergency plan must include information on the property’s civil defence shelter.

Smaller buildings may not have a shelter, as the obligation to build one depends on the total floor area.

Download VARA, a Finnish-language mobile app for maintaining and using civil defence sheltersOpens in a new window.

The property holder must plan how the civil defence shelter will be activated. Shelter activation is straightforward when preparations have been made in advance.

The shelter must be activated within 72 hours of an order from the authorities. Residents prepare the shelter for use. Once ready, the shelter is placed on standby so people can move in quickly if needed.

Steps in activation:

Clear the shelter of stored items and dismantle unnecessary structures. Clean the space.
Mark the access route from outside to the shelter entrance.
Prepare the shelter equipment for use: install the airlock tent or ensure the airlock room is operational, fill water tanks and assemble toilet units
Check the operation of doors and hatches. Verify the shelter’s communication links.
Ensure the emergency exit functions properly.
Shut down normal-conditions ventilation to the shelter.
Check the operation of the ventilation devices and other equipment.

Updated: 21/1/2026

Are you satisfied with the content on this page?

Checklist for preparing for incidents and crises

Preparedness in housing companies

Duties and obligations of housing companies in preparedness

Residents’ responsibilities for housing company safety and preparedness

How to maintain a civil defence shelter

Activating a civil defence shelter in a housing company

How to active a civil defence shelter

Are you satisfied with the content on this page?