The State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) announces that a new functionality has been introduced in the "112 Latvija" app: the ability to view the nearest available shelters. This solution was developed to improve public awareness and the ability to react quickly in emergency situations.
Users of the "112 Latvija" app will now be able to clearly see on a map not only the shelters closest to their location, whose basements have been deemed suitable or partially suitable for shelter purposes, but also other shelters located in Latvia, and obtain basic information about them. The "Shelters" section of the app includes an informational window that allows residents to find out if there is a shelter within a safe distance or not, and receive clarifying recommendations on how to act in a dangerous situation, whether they are indoors or outdoors. In addition, the app has a function that helps its user quickly open the phone's navigation system, which residents can use to reach the selected shelter. Bearing in mind that communication may be disrupted during emergencies, the app ensures that information about shelters will be displayed even when the phone does not have an internet connection.
If you open the app and do not see the new "Shelters" section, you need to update the app. Information about shelters is regularly updated and is also available on the website www.112.lv in the "Shelters" section.
"Although the issue of shelters became topical due to the geopolitical situation in the region, SFRS points out that emergency situations can be diverse – ranging from armed conflicts to natural disasters, such as floods, storms, or hail. Therefore, timely information about the nearest possible shelters is essential for the safety of every resident," emphasizes SFRS Chief Colonel Mārtiņš Baltmanis.
In addition to the new functionality, the "112 Latvija" app provides the following features:
receive warning notifications;
access safety tips for various threats;
send a text message to the unified emergency number 112.
We invite residents who have not yet downloaded the "112 Latvija" app to do so, and existing users to update the app to access the latest information and functions.
SFRS officials have inspected a total of 3,286 basements and underground floors owned by the state and municipalities. According to the guidelines (recommendations) on the minimum requirements for setting up a Category III shelter, 395 objects have been recognized as suitable, while 1,277 objects have been recognized as partially suitable. The total capacity is 532,863 people. Last year, SFRS provided municipalities with shelter signs, which were placed on buildings where the inspected basements were recognized as suitable or partially suitable according to the developed shelter guidelines.
More information about shelters (in Latvian) is available here: https://www.vugd.gov.lv/lv/patvertnes.
The creation of the "112 Latvija" app was made possible thanks to co-financing from the European Union!
