According to the municipality, three funding measures are planned: solutions to ensure access to shelters, installation of window protection measures, and assistance in preparing applications for the Ministry of the Interior’s shelter expansion funding programs.
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“The air threat that arose in Vilnius clearly showed where we need to focus so that Vilnius residents can quickly and smoothly reach shelters if necessary. By creating this funding program, we aim not only to invest in technical solutions but also to promote a shared responsibility for safety. The city provides opportunities to install necessary systems, and residents, together with neighbors, can assess what is worth improving in their environment, agree on actions during emergencies, and be better prepared,” said Adomas Bužinskas, director of the municipal administration, in a statement.
According to the approved procedure, both owners’ associations of apartments and other premises in apartment buildings, as well as state or municipal institutions and establishments operating in Vilnius, may apply for funding if the objects are included or recognized as suitable to be included in the official shelter list.
The municipality states that an exception applies to educational institutions where there are no official shelters – they will also be able to submit applications for funding window protection measures.
It is emphasized that funding will be allocated only to those shelters that will be accessible to residents 24/7, and all access-restricting obstacles, such as doors, gates, or partitions, must be opened within no more than 5 minutes. It is also mandatory to provide a backup access method and appoint several persons responsible for opening the shelter.
“Currently, we are definitely focusing on the first 12-13 percent of existing shelters. This percentage mostly consists of institutions managed by the municipality. In other words, where we really know what the specific problem is. With the remaining percentages, more detailed work is definitely needed to have concrete numbers,” noted Žygimantas Solovjovas, head of the Civil Safety Department of the municipality, at the city council meeting.
In turn, council member Aleksandras Nemunaitis said that the document still needs improvement, especially regarding funding control and oversight of fund usage.
“I am very afraid that we will squander the money and this beautiful idea will turn into nothing. And procedurally, it is also very unclear how it will be evaluated, who will evaluate, whether the data will be public, or scores published. Currently, there are many advantages if you are a municipal company,” he said during the meeting.
According to the city mayor Valdas Benkunskas, the shelter funding procedure will be further improved if necessary.
“I confirm that the adopted Council decisions can definitely be improved, registered, and, as is known, the next meeting is planned for October, if there is such a need, whether from the working department of the administration or from the Council members, we can always do that,” he said.
As stated in the announcement, up to 20,000 euros can be allocated to one applicant per one call.
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According to the municipality, although there is currently no unified state-established procedure for how quickly shelters must be opened, each object must have a clear action plan – who opens the shelters, in what time, and how. In addition, it is important to have backup unlocking methods for shelters.
According to the planned procedure, the municipality will finance up to 95 percent of the costs of installing automatic or remote shelter unlocking systems, but not more than 5,000 euros. If other solutions are chosen, up to 40 percent of their installation costs will be compensated, but not more than one thousand euros.
Also, after the air threat in Vilnius, attention was drawn to the fact that not all buildings have enough shelters or safe zones. In such spaces, to increase safety and reduce the danger posed by broken window glass, it is recommended to use protective measures: protective films, retractable or foldable protective blinds, shields, and other equivalent measures.
The municipality states that such measures can be installed in shelters or in the premises of the lowest floor of the building if it is a public service institution where there are no shelters or their area is insufficient for the people usually present daily.
Up to 15,200 euros can be allocated to one object, financing up to 80 percent of the costs.
The third funding measure is intended to help prepare a technical project or other necessary project documents required to participate in the Ministry of the Interior’s funded shelter infrastructure expansion program.
The municipality states it can fully cover the costs of preparing the technical project or other necessary documents. Also – compensate up to 80 percent of additional works necessary to implement the project solutions.
According to it, this may include relocation of engineering networks, adaptation of electrical input or installation, rearrangement of the access route to the shelter, dismantling and restoration of structures, adaptation of door openings, and other technical works.
Funding will be allocated only to those objects that, after the planned works, will meet the requirements set by the Ministry of the Interior for shelters.
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