Stenbock House, December 6, 2023 – On December 4, the Crisis Management Committee of the Estonian government gathered to examine the blueprint for civil defence, outlining the goals for the next decade, a four-year civil defence action plan, and the results of the Crevex 2023 crisis and evacuation exercise.
The framework document provides an overview of the current state of civil defence measures and suggests objectives for the next decade to ensure civilian safety and state functionality during crises. This long-term perspective, agreed upon by state authorities, guides the government in fortifying the population’s defence.
Erkki Tori, Head of the Security and National Defence Coordination Office, emphasized the importance of developing civil defence to enhance societal preparedness and recovery in crisis situations. Tori stated, “To effectively deal with a crisis, there must be a clear division of roles, and authorities must collaborate. Equally crucial is the awareness and preparedness of every individual in the country.”
The action plan outlines ten targets for optimal crisis preparedness within the existing budget. Priority areas for development over the next four years were determined based on threat scenarios, budget constraints, and the broader security context, including the ongoing conflict initiated by Russia in Ukraine.
The highest-priority areas for civil defence development in the next four years include raising public crisis awareness, strengthening crisis-related capabilities at the local government level, establishing a prompt and consistent population warning system, and ensuring the continuity of authorities responsible for civil defence tasks.
Viola Murd, Ministry of the Interior Undersecretary for Rescue and Crisis Management, emphasized the need to enhance local government capabilities and authorities’ preparedness to handle crises effectively. She stated, “Our priority is not just to train the population but to reinforce the capabilities of local governments and authorities to fulfill their duties, especially in extreme crises.”
The civil defence policy’s foundational principles were established in the 2018 concept, and the action plan includes 40 activities and 35 recommendations. To move forward with the plan, the government incorporated the principle of providing permanent funding for civil defence into the Estonian security policy approved by the Riigikogu in February.
Approximately €80 million has been allocated for national defence investments over the next four years, with €31 million earmarked for civil defence development. Both the civil defence framework document and action plan have received government approval.
In their meeting on Monday, the Crisis Management Committee reviewed the findings from Crevex 2023, including an assessment of underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea and details on the border situation.
Crevex 2023, concluding in October with 36 exercises, prompted authorities responsible for emergencies to revise and update their procedures and response plans. Repeat exercises in 2024 will test their effectiveness in resolving identified issues, with annual rehearsals for planning and coordinating crisis communication.
The conclusions from Crevex 2023 will be scrutinized and approved by the government. The Crisis Management Committee meets at least four times a year, with the Secretary of State leading its work and its members comprising ministerial secretaries-general and heads of key crisis-management authorities.
