Denmark is taking new steps to ensure the safety and readiness of its emergency shelters following a comprehensive review of the nation’s civil protection protocols.
Government Initiative for Emergency Shelters
After considerable delay, Danish authorities are now prioritizing the assessment and management of the country’s emergency shelters. Following an evaluation of national security threats earlier this year, the Danish government revealed its plans to enhance the effectiveness and availability of these vital resources.
On June 28, 2023, Danish Minister for Security and Emergency Management, Torsten Schack Pedersen, emphasized the urgency of knowing the location and condition of emergency shelters in the event of a national attack. If Denmark were to be attacked, do you know where your nearest shelter is? And does it meet safety standards? he posed, highlighting the need for clarity regarding the state of existing shelters.
In a meeting with key stakeholders behind the civil protection agreement, the government outlined a strategic plan divided into four major actions. The first step involves performing thorough inspections of existing shelters and creating checklists to evaluate their current state. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Transport will explore the potential use of additional government buildings as supplementary emergency shelters.
“This could potentially include facilities such as the Copenhagen metro system,” Pedersen noted, acknowledging the hidden advantages of metro stations that are safely underground. Such locations could play a significant role in emergency scenarios.
The second facet of the future plan focuses on amending previous regulations that allowed municipalities to deactivate emergency shelters without constructing new ones. This practice has been a point of contention, particularly as local authorities often opted to shut down shelters without proper replacements. To eliminate any doubt, we will remove this option, Pedersen stated, addressing previous criticism voiced by political opponents like Lise Bech from the Denmark Democrats, who urged for immediate improvements in shelter oversight.
Response to Delays and Criticism
In December 2023, the Danish Emergency Management Agency came under fire for taking over a year to provide a comprehensive overview of the number of emergency shelters across Denmark. Jarl Vagn Hansen, chair of the Danish Emergency Management Association, described the situation as “thought-provoking,” pointing out the delays in governmental processes.
Addressing concerns about the slow pace of advancements, Pedersen reiterated that the government has been undertaking a comprehensive reassessment of civil protection, including emergency shelters, since the alarming threat analysis released in February 2023. We’ve identified the concrete challenges, and now we are committed to taking necessary actions, he affirmed.
When pressed about how long it would take to ascertain whether the shelters are usable, Pedersen expressed his ambition for a definitive answer by the end of the year. It took two years just to get a count of the existing shelters. “My goal is to establish their usability within six months,” he stated, acknowledging the impatience felt among municipalities regarding this matter.
In summary, Denmark is embarking on a comprehensive initiative to assess and improve its emergency shelters in light of evolving security threats. With plans for inspections, revising outdated policies, and drawing lessons from international partners, the government aims to ensure that all citizens have access to safe and effective shelters in emergencies. As Minister Schack Pedersen aptly put it, a secure society requires diligent preparation and continuous improvement. The upcoming months will be crucial as Denmark works to bolster its civil protection measures and readiness for any eventualities.
