The framework document presents an overview of the nature and current status of civil defence measures and recommendations on the targets which the state will need to meet within the next decade if it is to guarantee the safety of civilians and the functioning of the state in crisis and emergency situations. This provides the government with a long-term view, agreed between state authorities, of the direction it should take in fostering the defence of the population.
“Developing civil defence is aimed at making society as a whole better prepared to cope with and recover from any crisis that arises, in a way that protects everyone’s life and health,” explained Erkki Tori, the Head of the Security and National Defence Coordination Office. “In order to be able to deal effectively with a crisis and to get past it, there must be a very clear division of roles, and authorities must work together. That said, it is just as important that every individual in the country is aware of what they need to do and is prepared to work with the state in that regard.”
The action plan outlines 10 targets that will help to ensure the best possible level of crisis preparedness. The plan was compiled with the existing budget in mind, and priority areas for development over the next four years were agreed accordingly. The choice of these areas was informed, among other things, by actual threat scenarios and available budgetary means, taking into account the broader security situation, including the war started by Russia in Ukraine.
The areas whose development is deemed to be of the highest priority in guaranteeing civil defence over the next four years are as follows: raising the crisis awareness and independent preparedness of the population; boosting crisis-related capabilities at the local government level; developing a solution for promptly and consistently warning the population of threats; and enhancing the continuity of authorities responsible for performing civil defence tasks.
“Civil defence is based in people’s crisis awareness, but there are things that people themselves are unable to do,” said Ministry of the Interior Undersecretary for Rescue and Crisis Management Viola Murd. “As such, our priority is not just to train the population, but to enhance the capabilities of local governments and boost the preparedness and ability of authorities that help people in crisis situations like the Rescue Board, the Emergency Response Centre, the Health Board and the Social Insurance Board to fulfil their duties even in the most extreme crises. For that very reason we need reinforcements to help us out – people we know will cope in a crisis and are prepared to help others in their community.”
The underlying principles of civil defence policy were set in place in the original concept developed in 2018, the drafting of which led to the distribution of civil defence roles among authorities and the linking of those roles to specific activities. The action plan included a total of 40 activities and 35 recommendations. In order to move ahead with the plan, the principle that civil defence as a field in its own right must be provided with permanent funding was added to the Estonian security policy approved by the Riigikogu in February this year.
The government has earmarked around 80 million euros for broad-ranging investments in national defence over the next four years, of which 31 million euros is to be allocated to the development of civil defence.
Both the framework document and action plan for civil defence are approved by the government.
During their meeting on Monday, the Crisis Management Committee were presented with the conclusions drawn from Crevex 2023, an overview of the current state of underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea and details of the situation on the border.
Crevex 2023, which culminated in October, comprised 36 individual exercises. Based on the conclusions drawn from them, all authorities responsible for dealing with emergencies must review and update their working procedures and emergency response plans. In the course of 2024, the authorities involved will have to conduct repeat exercises to test how effectively they are able to resolve the bottlenecks identified in Crevex, and at least once a year they will need to rehearse their planning and coordination of crisis communication.
The conclusions drawn from Crevex 2023 and the proposals made as a result of it will be reviewed and approved by the government.
The Crisis Management Committee convenes at least four times a year. Its work is led by the Secretary of State and its members include ministerial secretaries-general and the heads of key crisis-management authorities.
Helen Uldrich
Government Communication Office
Media adviser
Tel. +372 51 65 258
