Estonian Rescue Board Yearbook 2018

RUBRIIK

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 1 Published by: Estonian Rescue Board Raua 2, Tallinn 10124

Layout: Profimeedia OÜ Translator: Esteet OÜ Cover photo: Andres Putting / Ekspress Meedia / Scanpix Print: Ecoprint TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD 4

ORGANISATION 6

FACTS AND FIGURES 11

THE YEAR IN EVENTS 24

INTERNATIONAL 32 COOPERATION 32

HISTORY 36

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 FOREWORD

2018: Busy but successful KUNO TAMMEARU, year! Director General of the Estonian Rescue Board

ear Reader! You are holding in increase in history. And most importantly - in this hands the most recent yearbook yearbook we discuss the role of the Estonian of the Estonian Rescue Board. Rescue Board in the society in broader terms and The following pages will give you the action to be taken in the coming years with the an overview of fires, accidents aim to keep Estonia safe, taking into account the and prevention work done in context of what is happening worldwide. 2018, in other words, a recap of what this year’s exceptionally hot and dry weather Last year was not an easy year for us. The main Dconditions have been meaning for us. This was a ye- challenges included serious hot summer fires, trag- ar in which other public bodies and local govern- ic accidents caused by carbon monoxide, a huge ments assisted the Estonian Rescue Board in sur- number of fire deaths. This was a reminder and veillance to keep Estonia fire-free. This was a year in confirmation that we in the Rescue Board must which our employees enjoyed the biggest wage keep evolving and improving to keep up with time.

4 ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 FOREWORD

The events of last summer taught us that the Esto- building type project, was announced the wooden nian Rescue Board has to even more contribute to construction of the year. Controls and heat wave re- crisis preparedness and assistance during inter- sponse activities were organized to assist and edu- rupted supply of vital services. cate where most needed because we know how important prevention and cooperation are. Unfortunately, the elderly living alone continue being the most frequent fire casualties, and alcohol However, the number of accidents and deaths dur- plays a huge role, too, while the households at risk ing the previous year shows that we need to get even are not equipped with smoke alarms, not to men- better in prevention and more rapidly respond to tion carbon monoxide alarms. A man’s home is ex- changed situations. We have to think together how pected be his fortress, but in too many cases home to move forward. We have to be creative and find becomes a deadly trap – even though the fire is dis- new solutions. covered, the person cannot get out of the house. We have been doing home counselling for some The most essential question for our development is time already and the consistent prevention work how to make use of knowledge of our 2000 employ- has drastically reduced the number of fire casual- ees and 2000 vol- ties: in 2006, 164 people lost their lives in fire, last unteers. Each one year the number was 50e. The number is still too Estonian Rescue Board of us has views and high amounting to a bus full of people, therefore thoughts on how to our goal is to even more contribute to the safety has to contribute even improve. We have and security of the society. Fire safety, water safety, more to crisis prepared- nearly 200 profes- electricity, gas, carbon monoxide, downfallings and sional and volun- safe home environment constitute the subjects, ness and assistance teer brigades in Es- which all increasingly require systematic prevention during interrupted supply tonia. This resource work in order to reduce the number of injuries and allows us to do deaths at home. Although individual and home of vital services. great things! safety are the matters of personal responsibility of everyone, the Estonian Rescue Board can also con- Last year we celebrated the 100th anniversary of tribute with good advice and assistance. Estonia. This year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of organized firefighting. Besides challenges, there were success stories, too. In addition to the increase in rescuers' wages, the Enjoy reading the book! Rescue Board’s percentage of trust among the Esto- Kuno Tammearu, nian people increased to 97%, the project of 500 fire- Director General of the Estonian Rescue Board proof homes powerfully launched, and the first Esto- nia's rescue force station, Vastseliina fire station that had been built according to the standard rescue

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 RUBRIIK

ORGANISATION

he Estonian Rescue Board is a public modate 34 separate services. authority under the Ministry of the Inter- ior. As of 31.12.2018, the Estonian The Estonian Rescue Board’s day-to-day readiness is Rescue Board employed 2151 people, made up of 72 national brigades, 4 bomb squads, being the third largest public sector ins- 119 volunteer rescue brigades and the Northern Ttitution in Estonia. The Estonian Rescue Board ope- and Eastern Reserve Rescue Brigade. Our 300 pro- rates within five key areas: prevention, safety- sur fessional and 200 volunteering rescuers guarantee veillance, rescue work, explosive ordnance disposal emergency response 24/7, our forces are able to and emergency management - that in total accom- reach 95% of the population in 15 minutes. ....

6 ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 ORGANISATION

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD AS AN ORGANISATION

2151 EMPLOYEES, incl. 1938 1583 VOLUNTEERING RES- PROF. RESCUERS CUERS

72 119 NATIONAL RESCUE VOLUNTEER BRIGADES RESCUE BRIGADES

26 600 4 EMERGENCY CALLS, EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE 15 073 DISPOSAL TEAMS incl. RESCUE EVENTS Photo: Kaspar Pokk

323 22 704 250 911 482 PEOPLE HOME PROPERTY DAMAGE RESCUED COUNSELLINGS AVOIDED IN SUM OF A country-wide network TIME OF RESPONSE: 9 min 11 sec Estonia is covered by rescue network that in 2018 (professional rescue brigades 8:28, consisted of 1583 professional rescuers and nearly volunteers 17:36) 2000 volunteers, i.e. almost 3600 people. Last year the volunteering rescuers received 3433 emergency calls which was slightly more than the year before. The volunteering rescuers participated in rescue By 2025, the Estonian Rescue Board events and crisis response to the same extent as the year before, but there was a considerable increase will reduce the number of accidents in domestic counselling: when in 2017 the volun- and damage in Estonia to the level of teers carried out 12% of all home counsellings, in 2018 the percentage was already 18%. Nordic countries.

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 7

ORGANISATION

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD AS AN ORGANISATION

TOTAL NUMBER89 OF DISPATCHES

national rescue

brigades 38 662 11 + Total of 43 479 volunteer res- 4817 cue teams

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD’S ACTIVITIES Reaction

Surveillance In 15 minutes we reach 95% of the Estonian population

Prevention work 97% third POPULATION’S LARGEST GOVERNMENT 34+33 TRUST AUTHORITY ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD’S MAIN AREAS OF OPERATION

PREVENTION SAFETY RESCUE WORK EXPLOSIVE EMERGENCY SURVEILLANCE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL MANAGEMENT

8 ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 ORGANISATION

VOLUNTEER RESCUE NETWORK 2018 Number of rescue events where volunteers Number of rescue events arrived first: where voluntary rescuers 1066 NUMBER OF participated: VOLUNTEERING RES- CUERS 2605 17% 7% 1938

TOTAL NUMBER OF EMERGENCY CALLS: Number of home 3433 counsellings: Total number of 3979 all rescue events Arrival time: 15 073 In the upcoming years, the goal of the Estonian Res- cue Board is to empower the volunteering rescuers by 18% investing in the improvement of their skills, funding and equipment, doubling their number and increas- 0:17:36,9 ing their engagement, especially in prevention work. The goal of reducing the number of accidents and damage to the level of Nordic countries by 2025 can only be achieved when everyone contributes. The more people there are in our society with safety-related knowledge and skills who know their community and are willing to contribute to the safety of their families and neighbours, the safer Estonia is. ....

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 9 ORGANISATION People are the most important asset

It is essential to evolve with time in order to maintain internal security. The field of rescue will never- be come fully ready because the challenges are constantly changing and technology is evolving. New technology without people operating it is of little use, therefore in 2018 one emphasis was definitely on improvement of the well-being of employees. Vastseliina There were also continuous improvements in work One of the biggest breakthroughs was salary increase. fire station conditions. In 2018 new professional rescue brigade was designed In 2018, it was agreed at the negotiations of the state stations were completed in Vändra and Vastseliina. by Indrek budget strategy, to increase the salaries of rescue Peili and Siiri The fire station in Vastseliina is the first fire station workers by ca 23,6% by the beginning of 2019. This Vallner and built according to the type project; designed by ar- was a huge step closer to the goal of raising the res- elected the chitects Indrek Peili and Siiri Vallner, it was elected cue workers' salaries to the level of the average salary best wooden the best wooden building of the year. Thoroughly construction in Estonia. In the middle of 2018 also the managers’ of the year. were extended the rescue brigade stations in Alatski- salaries were increased, which reduced the overall vi, Mustla and Tõstamaa, the latter received Tõstamaa gap between the salary level of the Estonian Rescue Municipality’s Deed of the Year award. The Northern Board and the average salary level of the comparable and Western explosive ordnance disposal teams re- positions. This resolved to some extent some recruit- ceived new blasting chambers in 2018. Kaberneeme ment problems concerning, for example, brigade and Misso volunteering rescue teams inaugurated leaders and rescue workers, but taking into account new rescue brigade buildings, also the buildings of the ever increasingly competitive labour market we Kõrkvere, Valjala, Vahastu and Vana-Vigala volunteer- need to keep pushing to ensure that good people re- ing rescue brigades were thoroughly renovated. ceive decent salaries for their hard work. This year rescue equipment was renewed with the focus on upgrading forest and landscape fire extinc- tion tools. The concept was entirely renewed and the existing relevant equipment was almost entirely replaced. That way, the Estonian Rescue Board acquired 33 new ATVs in 2018.

Other initiatives of the rescue forces included the ac- In 2018 the quisition of a thermal camera drone, new Estonian MGIS-equipment for main and control vehicles, new Rescue Board acquired 33 smoke-diving speech equipment and a first new gen- new ATVs eration road tanker. ....

10 ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 ORGANISATION Crisis preparedness and civil protection

In 2018 the government approved the concept of civil protection and a new emergency law entered into force in the middle of the year. This provided a new impetus for improving internal security and foremer- gency organs who provide vital services, to improve their crisis readiness and prepare emergency plans for assistance during interrupted supply of vital services. More importantly, the preparation of these docu- ments drew attention to the preparedness and crisis management skills of the population. According to a survey ordered by the Estonian Rescue Board in 2017, people are not ready for a long-term interruption in vital services, they do not have food supplies nor action plans despite the fact that most people have ex- perienced a longer electricity blackout. Weather scien- tists confirm that due to climate change Estonia is going to more frequently experience of extraordinary pated in the educational program “Protect yourself Kadrina’s weather conditions with inevitable consequences, and help others” receiving age-appropriate knowl- volunteers’ such as hot or cold weather, storms and floodings or edge on civil protection. team was elected the extensive landscape and forest fires. best promoter Crisis preparedness was also the main topic during of voluntee- Therefore, in addition to ensuring cooperation be- the Volunteering Rescuers Forum held in June 2018 ring activities tween public institutions and continuity of its own ac- at Kunda, where in addition to voluntary and profes- tivities during interruptions, one of the most impor- sional rescuers and representatives of local govern- tant tasks of the Estonian Rescue Board is increasing ments also President Kersti Kaljulaid and Minister of the preparedness of people. Obviously this cannot the Interior Andres Anvelt participated in discussions. only be done by the Estonian Rescue Board alone, The importance of the topic was stressed by the con- partnering with local governments and involving vol- comitant devastating forest fire in Vikipalu, where an unteers in emergency situations are the main ques- essential part of both professional and voluntary res- tions to focus on. cuers participated in the extinguishing works, leading to the situation where in a few cases life-saving ca- It all begins with information about what and how to pacity was barely ensured in Estonia. The bigger the do something For this reason, in 2018 the Estonian crisis, the longer it takes for assistance to arrive – how Rescue Board trained 90% of its staff on civil protec- to organize things so that people would survive until tion so that they could further train their partners the arrival of the assistance or would not need help and volunteering rescuers. Last year the rescue cen- at all; and what should everyone exactly do in order tres organized 23 civil safety-related info days in their to achieve these aims? Finding a solution to these respective regions and 9856 schoolchildren partici- questions is a long-term process. ....

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 11 ORGANISATION

Making homes safe

In Estonia the number of dwelling fires is almost the same as in the Nordic countries, but three to four times more people die in fires. Furthermore, about a hundred people die yearly from falling down, nearly half of them at home. This means that too many Es- tonian homes are not safe for their inhabitants. The elderly or socially non-coping people living alone in these homes are one of the major challenges for the Estonian Rescue Board, because according to 2018 statistics, elderly people living alone in these homes die in fires most often and this trend seems to continue. The number of home counselling is increasing, but we have to reflect more exactly on how to reach the target group who needs advice and assistance.

Action has also been taken at the legislative level. The 2018 draft suggesting changes to Fire Safety Act, Na- ture Protection Act and Forest Act aimed at reducing the number of deaths caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, accelerating the proceedings and increasing the number of fire-safe buildings in Estonia. The draft makes carbon monoxide alarms mandatory in all households with fireplaces or wood-burning stoves; establishes a register of heating appliances, involves the private sector in fire safety conformity controls and increases local governments’ capacity to decide on construction and usage permits. Fur- thermore, the draft makes optional the connection of automatic fire alarm systems of high fire-risk buildings with the Emergency Centre. This change has In Estonia the number of dwelling fires been triggered by a large number of false alarms, which amounted to 17%, i.e. ca one fifth of all emer- is almost the same as in the Nordic gency calls in 2018. It is possible that due to the time countries, but three to four times more and resources spent on false alarms,there could be delay in helping somebody who is actually in need. ....people die in fires.

12 ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 ORGANISATSIOONRUBRIIK

THE YEAR IN FACTS AND FIGURES

PÄÄSTEAMETI AASTARAAMAT 2018 13 FACTS AND FIGURES

Reaction to events CAUSES OF HOME FIRES IN 2018 In 2018, the Estonian Rescue Board received in total Use of open fire 145 26 600 calls. The number of calls increased mostly be- Electrical equipment or installations 145 cause of false fire alarms, false alarms of automatic fire alarm systems and administrative assistance. Smoking 115 Heating system 93 There were slightly over 15,000 rescue events last year. The number was somewhat higher than in 2017, Criminal intention 61 but lower than during the last three years on average. Cooking (burnt food) 37 Compared to the previous year the number of fires Works involving open flame 27 and risk elimination (for example, trees fallen on roads) was much higher. Construction shortcoming 23 Incorrect installation 19 of a device or system NUMBER OF CALLS AND NUMBER OF RESCUE EVENTS Children's play with fire 14

Other 52

One third of the rescue events were fires, and due to a long hot and dry summer there were about 600 more fires compared to 2017, the number of fires that started from barbecuing and campfires grew by 430. 23 371 25 219 16 863 25 755 23 676 13 953 26 600 15 073 14 136 15 989

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 There were more fires in buildings, both dwelling Number of calls Number of rescue events fires and non-dwelling fires. A fifth of the burning buildings was abandoned. There were 732 fires in FIRES AND HOME FIRES people’s homes, which is somewhat more than in 2017, but in general the number of home fires is de- creasing.

One fifth of fires was caused by careless handling of open fire, the same amount of fires was caused by electrical equipment or installations. 16% of fires were caused by smoking. In recent years, the num- 922 6 871 802 4 850 789 4 602 667 5 222 732 6 089 ber of fires started from cooking has significantly -in creased: in 2017 these formed 2% of all home fires, 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 in 2018 already 5%. .... Fires Home fires

14 ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 FACTS AND FIGURES

Injured, rescued and dead in fires

In total, 323 people were rescued NUMBER OF FIRE DEATHS from all calls in 2018. BY COUNTY

102 people were injured in fires including 8 children. 12 Fires that caused most injuries 4 2 started from electrical equipment and installations, careless smoking, burnt food and heating 1 1 0 1 appliances. 3 Last year 50 people lost their lives in fire, including 36 men and 2 14 women. Nearly half, i.e. 40% of 2 4 11 fire deaths happened during the winter months (January, Febru- ary, December). 2 2 3

Fire deaths per 100,000 inhabitants

NUMBER OF RESCUED 150+150+150+150+150+150+150+150+150+150+150+150+150+150+150

FROM FROM FIRE WATER INJURED IN FIRES FIRE DEATHS 81 20 2018 102 2018 50 2017 102 2017 38

FROM OTHER 2016 109 2016 39 TRAFFIC EVENTS 2015 78 2015 50

64 158 2014 56 2014 54

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 15 FACTS AND FIGURES

Who loses life in fire?

Mostly elderly people living alone become fire casualties. Over half of the fatalities were pensioners and a third also had a physical or mental health problem. At the time of the fire, about half of the casualties THE PROFILE OF were intoxicated by alcohol, of whom half died be- AN AVERAGE FIRE CASUALTY cause the fire had started by careless smoking. MALE FEMALE 12 fires started from living room, 12 from kitchen 59 years old 80 years old and 7 from bedroom. 13 people lost their lives while Intoxicated by alcohol With health problems (moving difficulties) smoking on the couch or in bed. No smoke alarm installed Smoke alarm present and working Properly installed and working smoke alarm was Lives alone Lives alone absent in half of the homes where people lost their Lives in an apartment building Lives in a private house .... lives. Smokes Smokes

PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF A PROPERLY INSTALLED AND WORKING SMOKE ALARM IN HOMES WITH FIRE CASUALTIES. CAUSES OF FATAL FIRES The smoke alarm… Cooking … was not installed … was present but Smoking failed to operate Use of open fire 3 6 8 Use of electric device or 20 16 electrical system fatalities failure 8 12

… was present and ... not possible to 6 alarm was raised 10 determine – Cause of fire 7 Use of scene destroyed unknown 40+heating14+12166 device 35+22+26+17 16 ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 FACTS AND FIGURES

Rescued from and drowned in water accidents

Last year rescuers received 249 calls to incidents on Most people have drowned during the summer water bodies, over half of which were related to cold months – 18 people in total, most of them in July. weather and ice. There were 78 incidents with chil- Both in spring and in autumn 8 people drowned and dren, of these 66 with children who had gone on ice. in winter the number of drowned was 9. 45 events were related to fishermen, 5 fishermen were rescued. In 2018, 7 fishermen drowned. 14 people drowned because of falling into the water, 13 people while swimming, 7 at fishing, 4 at driving 20 people were rescued from water incidents, mostly on ice road and 1 at boating. men needed rescuing. 43 people died in water incidents, most of them also men. In long term, howev- Almost half of the drowned were intoxicated by er, the prevention work has paid off and the number alcohol. .... of drownings decreases year-by-year. NUMBER OF DROWNINGS IN WATER 9 of the drowned were women and 34 men. Last INCIDENTS BY COUNTY year also two children drowned (4 years old and 14 years old). Over half of the drowned were elderly and the proportion of the elderly has steadily increased over the last six years. 8 4 3 WATER INCIDENTS 2018 249 0 1 0 0 2017 179 2 2016 208 2015 163 8 2014 219 5 2 5

DROWNED 2 2018 43 3 2017 45 2 2016 47

2015 39 Death in water accidents per 100,000 inhabitants 2014 68 150+150+150+150+150+150+150+150+150+150+150+150+150+150+150

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 17 FACTS AND FIGURES Number of carbon monoxide accidents is increasing

In 2018, the Estonian Rescue Board responded to 564 gas events. The Estonian Rescue Board is getting NUMBER OF CALLS TO GAS EVENTS* more and more calls to events related to carbon 2018 564 monoxide, in homes that are heated with both gas and wood. About nine people die every year from 2017 416 carbon monoxide poisoning, Harjumaa and Ida-Viru- 2016 401 maa are the main areas of concern. 2015 291 Carbon monoxide is produced even during simple * People suspect a gas food burning, but in everyday life the main cause of leak or a malfunction understand when carbon monoxide is in the room. carbon monoxide is a damper that has been closed of the device, they Most of the fire victims die because of inhaling car- begin to feel unwell too early, a gas boiler with an insufficient pull or an bon monoxide. improperly regulated gas stove. Thus, carbon monoxide poisoning can occur even without any fire. When installing a carbon monoxide alarm, the manu- facturer's instructions in the operating manual should The only way to detect carbon monoxide is with the be followed, because alarms vary and so do their in- carbon monoxide alarm. A smoke alarm is not able to stallation instructions. In a multi-level dwelling, we rec- detect carbon monoxide, because the sensor reacts ommend installing a carbon monoxide alarm at least only to visual smoke. These are two completely differ- on every floor, or if possible, in every room. ent devices with different operating principles. The correct functioning of the carbon monoxide Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless alarm should be verified once a month by pressing and tasteless toxic gas, therefore a person does not the test button. A beeping signal confirms that the device is working. The carbon monoxide alarm should regularly be cleaned from dust with a vacuum cleaner or a piece of cloth.

In Estonia it is mandatory from 1 January 2018 to have a carbon monoxide alarm in all dwellings that have a gas device that connects to the chimney, in particular in the presence of devices such as gas-powered water heaters. We recommend installing a carbon monoxide alarm also into the rooms where wood-fired stoves, fireplaces, stoves, boilers and other devices that can release the hazardous carbon monoxide, are present. ....

18 ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 FACTS AND FIGURES Number of carbon monoxide accidents is increasing Photo: Siim Solman Busy summer of 2018

Summer of 2018 was extremely intense and excep- ”Help from the Estonian Rescue tionally busy for the Estonian Rescue Board, on several occasions the life-saving capability was almost lost. Board must reach everyone in every possible circumstance. However, this summer, there was In 4 months from May to August a total of 2843 fires a risk in seven occasions that help would not took place, which is a third more than during the last reach people in time. We were lucky that no-one three years on average. There were also 41% more forest and landscape fires compared to the average died in these seven cases, but we cannot rely on of last three years. Due to the hot and dry weather the just good luck in the future.” Estonian Rescue Board announced extreme fire haz- Kuno Tammearu, General Director ard period for 40 days, at Jõgevamaa for 75 days. This was the longest high extreme fire hazard period that even at designated campsites and drivers were the Estonian Rescue Board had ever announced in strongly recommended not to use motor vehicles in Estonia. This meant that it was prohibited to make fire nature environments. ....

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 19 FACTS AND FIGURES

more fires than days of extreme times more during the previous fire hazard perod resource-intense res- 3 years from May to 40 (75 days in Jõgevamaa) 2 cue events 600+ the end of August

occasions, ha burnt forest and when the landscape (2 times life-savings events more than during capability was lasted 7 days the previous 3 7 almost lost 5 or longer 430+ summers)

times more events lasting over 24 hours 5 more fires 30% than during 29% of fires were 41% more the previous forest and forest and weeks of 3 years on landscape landscape prevention average fires fires activities all over 30+70+A 30+70+A 41+59+A 3 Estonia

MAXIMUM On average the longest rescue events lasted in total TEMPERATURES more than 101 hours, i.e. a bit longer than 4 days. In May 30.5 °C (has not been 2257 rescuers participated in rescue events, this in- reported since 1961) cluded both professional and voluntary rescuers, In June 28,6 °C people from the Defence League and ordinary In July 34,2 °C citizens. In August 32,6 °C

“Last summer did really put our capabilities on PRECIPITATION COMPARED TO NORMAL test. The large number of rescue operations that 59% less in May lasted more than a day led to the situations 39% less in June where we no longer had rescuers who to send to 64% less in July an event or did we run out of equipment because 2% less in August machines broke down and needed repairing.” Martin Lambing, Head of the Rescue Department

20 ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 FACTS AND FIGURES

EVENTS FROM MAY TO AUGUST 2 843 2 246 2 151 2 164

2015 2016 2017 2018

”The forest fire in Vikipalu was both a lesson and a 2 TIMES MORE RESOURCE- INTENSE RESCUE EVENTS 41+59+A test for all of us. We were glad to find out upon arrival on site 130 that in the case of a situation causing trouble to someone, people would 65 72 55 quickly come to help, and we had 10 a lot of helping hands.” 4 4 3 Priit Janno, Head of the Readiness Office of the Northern Rescue Centre One of the largest forest fires of last summer took place in Vikipalu, where approximately 200 hectares 5 TIMES MORE EVENTS LASTING OVER 24 HOURS of forest was burning. The fire lasted for 11 days. 27 In addition to dealing with consequences, in cooperation with the State Forest Management Centre, the Police and Border Guard Board, the Environmental Inspectorate and local governments the Estonian Rescue Board organized inspection visits to forests 6 8 and beaches in order to prevent fires. This was the largest collaboration project so far. 369 swimming 1 and campfire places were patrolled, 296 campfires or barbecues were ceased. .... 2015 2016 2017 2018

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 21 FACTS AND FIGURES

3880 explosive remnants of war destroyed

The Estonian Rescue Board’s Explosive Ordnance al operation of that scale in Saaremaa. 160 unex- Disposal Centre received 1326 calls in 2018, over ploded ordnance, 171 cartridges and 15 empty ex- half of which concerned explosive remnants of war. plosive shells were found from the examined In total 3880 different type of ordnance were found territory at the village of Mäebe. During the “Boom- and destroyed. ing Island” operation the explosive ordnance disposal units responded to 30 events all across the island The most important and labour-consuming explo- and examined an area of 20,000m², destroying 62 sive ordnance disposal work was performed on 25 different type of ordnance and 341 cartridges. September during the visit of Pope Franciscus of Es- tonia, and on the 16 October during the European On 28 and 29 August targeted explosive ordnance Union's top Digital Summit. From 8 to 13 April target- disposal work was performed on Pakri, during which ed explosive ordnance disposal works “Booming Is- 158 shells of German origin found on the island were land” (“Saare Kõmin”) were carried out in Saaremaa, destroyed. Each shell weighed approximately 50 kilo- which was the first major explosive ordnance dispos- grams. ....

22 ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 FACTS AND FIGURES

THE NUMBER OF EXPLOSIVE REMNANTS OF WAR BY COUNTY AND LARGEST FINDINGS IN 2018

In Tallinn 730 shells, 70 fuses and 3000 cartridges were found from the construction site of Reidi Road.

In Väike-Maarja Municipality 260 shells, In Saku Municipality 10 fuses, 29 boosters and 6 mines were found. 159 shells were found.

In Lääne-Harju Municipality 163 large calibre shells were found. LÄÄNE-VIRUMAA HARJUMAA 1567 IDA-VIRUMAA 316 531 15 53 12 LÄÄNEMAA 4 HIIUMAA RAPLAMAA JÄRVAMAA 52 JÕGEVAMAA 3880 explosive remnants 26 815 PÄRNUMAA 162 of war destroyed SAAREMAA 5 TARTUMAA VILJANDIMAA THE NUMBER 29 OF EXPLOSIVES PÕLVAMAA DESTROYED 143 VALGAMAA BY TYPE 150 Shell 2659 VÕRUMAA

Mortar mine 580

Grenade 371 THE EXPLOSIVE Airplane bomb 64 ORDNANCE DISPOSAL CENTRE RECEIVED Rocket 51 65% CONCERNED Mine 27 1326 MUNITION CALLS FINDINGS Other munition 128

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 23 RUBRIIKFACTS AND FIGURES

Safety surveillance had its focus on control patrols

The Estonian Rescue Board daily checks the fulfil- The inspectors of the Estonian Rescue Board per- ment of fire safety requirements in buildings. In formed six inspection controls, three of them into 2018, compliance with fire safety requirements was dwellings, one into an educational institutions, one more widely prioritized and special over-Estonian into a welfare institutions and one into a shopping control patrols were added to regular inspections. centres.

24 ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 FACTS AND FIGURES

SHORTCOMINGS DETECTED SHORTCOMINGS DETECTED IN APARTMENT BUILDINGS IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS

Heating appliances Päästemeeskonna juurdepääs Emergency exits Fire prevention installations Fire prevention 27 installations 52 Emergency routes 112 47 Electrical 562 183 equipment 188 Total Total shortcomings shortcomings Emergency detected: detected: exits 200 1680 636 Storage of 118 combustible Fire barrier materials sections 243 361 120 Emergency Fire doors30+221511+11+43A 34+routes23+2221A

The biggest shortcomings in all 32 administrative proceedings buildings were open fire doors 64% of the and 89 administrative procedures or missing emergency routes. were initiated. In apartment buildings the inspected buildings main problem continued to be had shortcomings Apartment buildings baby carriages, bicycles, flower inspected during the controls: pots and old furniture stored in stairwells, preventing with shortcomings 771, conforming 229 exit from houses and creating smoke when burning, thus leaving people trapped in their apartments. The controls will certainly be performed in future in order Public buildings inspected 747 to underline the importance of keeping fire exit are- with shortcomings 345, as clear from obstruction and fire doors closed be- conforming 402 fore anything serious happens. ....

IN 2018 ...INCLUDING AND

6700 1400 5300 BUILDINGS WERE INSPECTED APARTMENT BUILDING BUILDINGS OF OTHER TYPE

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 25 RUBRIIK

THE YEAR IN EVENTS

26 PÄÄSTEAMETI AASTARAAMAT 2018 EVENTS

Heatwave response activities

Last summer was exceptional in terms of weather – hot weather started early in May and lasted until Au- gust. It was raining considerably less than normal. As mentioned, for the first time the Estonian Rescue Board organized heat wave response activities due to these weather conditions, so on three weekends in July and August rescue teams patrolled public campfire sites, most popular recreation and swimming areas. The rescuers know well their area of operation and risky locations, therefore they got to decide, which areas needed inspection, based on their own experience and expertise.

The aim of the cooperative action of all units of the Estonian Rescue Board together with representatives from the State Forest Management Centre, the Police and Border Guard Board, the Environmental Inspec- torate and local governments was to educate people on safe behaviour, to raise their awareness and prevent accidents and deaths. Although talking to people and giving advice was the main focus, presence and maintenance of rescue equipment in swimming places and conformity with fire safety requirements was also checked during the extreme fire risk period. Heatwave list issues that need to be addressed in future. The response The 9-day operation was beneficial not only for pre- activities in rescuers discovered a number of broken or defec- venting accidents during the extreme fire hazard swimming tive water safety stations that needed reparation. As period, but these controls assisted the rescuers in places. a result of these inspections, the Estonian Rescue mapping the problematic locations where people Board quickly prepared info boards for the period of actively make fire, drop garbage and swim, and to extreme fire danger that the employees of the State Forest Management Centre (RMK) and the rescue centres could use for prevention work and install in the locations where needed . People’s attitudes to- Last summer was exceptional in terms ward the controls were very peaceful and under- standing. The requests to cease a campfire or grill- of weather – hot weather started early ing were taken into account and people peacefully in May and lasted until August. complied. ....

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 27 EVENTS

Bonfire guard campaign ”Keep an eye on Midsummer Night’s bonfire”

The Estonian Rescue Board announced the time of extreme fire hazard on May 31, which was earlier than ever before, like it was also unprecedented to establish the all-Estonian period of extreme fire hazard for for such a long time – 40 days (and in Jõge- vamaa even for 75 days). It was extraordinary that from May to August there were 600 fires more in Estonia than during the last three years on average. In total mended people to keep the dimensions of their bon- 428 people fire such that they could step over it, because it suf- The Estonian Rescue Board kept a close eye on the took the fices to have smaller bonfire or a safe outdoor candle responsibility situation all the time: it was an extreme fire hazard and registered for creating the desired Midsummer Night atmos- period, the possibility of raining was low and the be- their safe phere – matter the people with whom to celebrate. loved by Estonians Midsummer celebrations were bonfire online. The approaching. The Midsummer celebration usually position of the bonfire guard meant that people had mean bonfires, barbecuing and party mood, often to choose one out of them who had to be respon- not too much attention is paid to safety. Conse- sible for compliance of the bonfire with all fire safety quently, there were quick decisions to be made so requirements, to assure that the fire was not left un- that everyone could enjoy the Midsummer festivities attended and that the fire was completely extin- even during the period of high fire risk, without the guished at the end of the party. In total 428 people number of emergency calls growing drastically com- took the responsibility and registered their safe bon- pared to regular holidays. fire online. In addition, the Estonian Rescue Board used the Facebook Chat Bot for disseminating pre- To address this concern, the Estonian Rescue Board ventive safety information – we responded to safe- launched shortly before the Midsummer Night the ty-related questions, reminded people of the bonfire guard campaign. People were invited to be- basics of fire safety in summer and informed them come their own bonfire’s guards and register their about the end of the extreme fire hazard period. safe bonfire online at the website of Muinastulede During the campaign, a safety package for the Mid- Öö (night of ancient lights). This year we recom- summer festivities was raffled on the Estonian Res- cue Board Facebook page. .... 28 ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 EVENTS

Water safety campaign “Keep an eye on”

In 2018, the Estonian Rescue Board organized two major media campaigns. From 21 May to 17 June a water safety campaign was organized focusing on water safety of children. Since accidents with children often happen in water bodies close to home this campaign aimed at drawing attention to these dangers. The aim of the campaign was to raise awareness of parents about the dangers of water bodies near home and offer solutions on how to make water bodies at home safer. Parents are fully responsible for the safety of small and preschool children and the easiest way to prevent accidents is to keep an eye on children while they are outdoors. With older children, it is important to talk about water safety and explain the risks at least once a year.

As a result of the campaign the number of the people who consider it negligence to allow children alone in the water increased. When in 2017 ca 15% of the respondents answered so, after campaign the percentage had doubled, i.e.

The aim of the campaign was to raise awareness of parents about the dangers of water bodies near home. reached to 30%. As a result of the campaign and physical environments was absent, 58% of respond- compared to 2017, the number of parents who re- ents confirmed after the campaign they had taken plied that children needed constant supervision had concrete steps in order to change the water bodies increased by 9%, and the number of the respond- close to home safer. In addition, the visibility of the ents who answered they talk about water safety at campaign was measured: the campaign reached home more often had increased by 5%. Although 742,600 people aged between 15 and 74, i.e. more the priors data about higher security measures at than half of the Estonian population. ....

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 29 EVENTS Fire safety campaign ”Keep an eye on food!”

The Estonian Rescue Board also organizes fire safety campaigns in order to raise the population’s risk awareness and to increase preventative behaviour, because of the belief that the best accident is an avoided accident. The fire safety campaign in 2018 was carried out from 3 to 16 December with the main message ”Keep an eye on food!” As the name suggests, the purpose of the campaign was to raise awareness of the danger of food burnt on the stove. To avoid food burning we had a simple suggestion: when you cook, stay in the kitchen!

The target group of the campaign was men and women aged 25-50; this age group was chosen to actually reach the age group of elderly who constitute the actual risk group. Close relatives have the most influence on the behaviour of elderly people, therefore, with the aim to change We had a simple suggestion: when you cook, stay in the kitchen!

their behaviour we decided to approach them through their relatives. The campaign was extensive: advertisements in radio, television, outdoor, print and social media, also at shopping malls.

The positive impact of the campaign is witnessed by the growth in proportion of the families where fire safety was discussed, also by growth in the number of residents who had thought of fire risks at homes compared to 2016. While in 2016 safe cooking was rather an unimportant topic amongst pensioners, since the 2018 campaign the topic has clearly gained importance ....

30 ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 EVENTS 500 Fireproof homes

In October 2017, the Estonian The first home was renovated fire- Rescue Board presented the Min- BEFORE proof in Hiiumaa. This particular ister of the Interior a project de- home was chosen after the visit of signed to repair electrical and Kärdla Rescue Brigade. The home heating systems of at least 500 belonged to a pensioner who was homes and thereby make these living alone in extremely high fire homes fireproof. These were risk conditions. The once-existent households with maintenance dif- electrical cables had changed into ficulties - families with many chil- visible traces of burnt on the walls dren, elderly people or people of the apartment, partially the elec- with disabilities living alone – peo- tricity supply had been restored ple who could not afford self-help. with the use of temporary cable. By today this home has a renovated The Government decided to safe and proper electrical system. allocate 1.5 million Euro to the project and all the 79 municipali- The Estonian Rescue Board esti- ties came along. A year later, the AFTER mates that there are at least 5000 Estonian Rescue Board and local high fire-risk homes in Estonia. The governments have together selected and approved There are at 500 homes project will help hundreds of homes be- 726 homes for the project. In 2018 about 100 least 5000 come fireproof, and it also gives people the assur- homes were renovated and some two hundred high fire-risk ance that they have not been left alone with their homes in homes were are under reconstruction. Estonia. problems.

The project succeeded countrywide as most of the lo- The first year of the project is just the top of the ice- cal authorities joined it. Some municipalities added lo- berg because in reality the problem is much bigger cal funding to government allowance as suggested by and the need for continuance of the project is high. the Minister for the Interior. How many of these 726 There are about 649,000 living spaces In Estonia, of households will be renovated ultimately depends on these almost 700-800 homes burn every year. Ac- the cost of works in these homes. The financial contri- cording to the Estonian Rescue Board's statistics, the bution by local governments is also important and most frequent causes of fires have been hazardous there will probably be a better overview of these sums heating and electricity systems, the owners of which only at the end of the project in the end of 2019 be- mostly lack financial means for their repairment and cause municipalities can allocate funds also in the bringing in conformity with fire safety requirements. middle of the financial year. The amount of work and Soon it is time to plan a follow-up project and think costs vary from home to home – at some homes, in carefully about the participation criteria so that the addition to fireplaces, also the electrical system needs problems of the needy could be resolved. The gov- to be replaced or completely rebuilt, some other ernment budget strategy foresees additional fund- homes require less work to be done. ing of 1 million Euro yearly for the period 2020-2022, i.e. a total of 3 million Euro over the three years. .... ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 31 EVENTS

Biggest events of explosive ordnance disposal centre

Last year two very important sites for explosive ord- blasting chambers are essential for assuring every- nance disposal team were opened: a temporary one’s safety. blasting chamber in Harju County and the second one in Saaremaa. Explosive remanants of war are The dedicated blasting site is, figuratively visioning, a found all over Estonia and their transportation is chamber that will withstand the explosion and keep dangerous. The explosive ordnance disposal pro- the exploding parts from flying out. This way the sur- The blasting cess can cause damage to third parties, to the envi- rounding area would be protected and the blasters site in ronment and to the blaster, therefore designated can perform their everyday tasks more safely. Saaremaa

32 ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 EVENTS

On 16 May the North-Estonian Explosive Ordnance Biggest events of The Estonian Disposal Centre received a call that unexploded ob- Rescue Board’s ject was found next to a car that had driven off the bomb squad at cliff near the Lighthouse of Pakri. The explosive ord- explosive ordnance disposal centre Reidi Road. nance disposal team arrived on site and with the assistance of Keila rope rescue team rappelled down the 30-metre cliff and pulled up a 105mm shell. Shortly after, two divers who were examining the car found explosives in water. That evening the operation was suspended because it was not possible in the dark to find hazardous objects and, consequent- ly, moving of the car could have been risky. The next day the divers found total of 40 shells while examining the area around the car. The explosives were identified and transported on shore in order to pull them up on the cliff with the rope rescue team.

The President of Several important people visited the Explosive Ord- the Republic of Estonia visiting nance Disposal Centre this year. The Minister of the East-Esto- Interior paid a visit to the Explosive Ordnance Dis- nian explosive posal Centre; also President of the Republic, Kersti ordnance Kaljulaid visited the East-Estonian explosive ord- disposal team .... on 12 November. nance disposal team on 12 November.

During the construction of Reidi Road, the explosive ordnance disposal team received two calls, in Sep- tember and in November. A huge amount of ammunition was found from inside the ground: 630 mortar shells, 19 hand grenades, more than 3000 cartridges and sleeves. At that time there were no accidents and the found ammunition was safely destroyed. Image caption: The Estonian Rescue Board’s bomb squad at Reidi Road.

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 33 RUBRIIK

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

34 PÄÄSTEAMETI AASTARAAMAT 2018 COOPERATION

Developing evaluation model to assess prevention measures

Together with the neighbouring countries the pre- ticipating countries and trends in the field were vention department has developed an evaluation compared and assessed. The project was led by the European Union model to assess the results of universal prevention Estonian Rescue Board, the methodology and anal- measures. ysis were developed and conducted by the Social Sciences Research Centre (RAKE) of the University of The objective of the European Union-funded project Tartu. Also Latvian and Lithuanian Rescue Boards, EVAPREM (“Developing an evaluation model to as- Frederiksborg Rescue Board in Denmark and the sess prevention measures“) was to develop a model University of Turku in Finland participated in the for the assessment of national fire safety prevention project. activities, which will in the future become a good tool for rescue brigades who are responsible for planning The idea of the project was born in 2015, it was and implementation of prevention activities. launched in January 2017 and lasted for two years. The budget was 531,006 Euro, of which 75% was fi- To assemble the model, prevention activities of par- nanced by the European Commission. ....

Extinguishing forest fire in Latvia

In the beginning of August 2018, Latvia submitted a request for assistance to extinguish a forest fire in Mazsalaca County in Latvia, near the Estonian border, where 230 hectares of forest was burning. 33 people and 11 vehicles from the Western and Southern Res- cue Centres participated in the cross-border rescue event. Despite years long existence of mutual assistance agreements between neighbours, an official agreement between all three Baltic states to collabo- rate in the areas of prevention, preparedness and response was signed by all three governments only in 2018, after many years of work. .... Rescue Board's equipment in Latvia

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 35 COOPERATION

EST-USAR team.

The disaster relief team EST-USAR of the Estonian Rescue teams Rescue Board and the joint Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian pumping team BaltFloodCombat (BFC) are consistently have joined the Voluntary pool (a set of resources for the European Union's civil protection mechanism, where Member States offer different capacities they developing can offer for providing international assistance). With the mechanism’s financial support, EST-USAR and

36 ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 COOPERATION

BFC are developing their capacities to react on rescue events both in Estonia and internationally. Active participaton in the EST-USAR used funding of nearly 200,000 Euro for European Explosive Ord- the purchase of personal protection equipment and electronic equipment for monitoring the stability of nance Disposal Network debris and for participation in trainings. Members of the disaster relief team participated in two engineer- In order to constantly improve its knowledge ing courses in Italy that taughtevaluation of dam- and skills at international level, the Estonian aged structures, an info management course in Fin- Rescue Board's Explosive Ordnance Dispos- land, a disaster relief coordination training in al Centre is part of the European Explosive Azerbaijan, and an African-Asian–European area ta- Ordnance Disposal Network (EEODN). ble drill in Armenia. The whole team participated in Estonia has an important role in this net- the MODEX disaster relief training in Denmark. work because as the advisor of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Centre, Arno Pugonen, As new skills, the team is developing water-saving was elected the Vice-Chairman of EEODN capacities to be ready to rescue in wet conditions, for a second term in 2018. and amputation in the occasion of collapses. This was for communicating an idea about the tasks that EEODN Being a member of the EEODN network and also a the members of the Estonian International Rescue drivers member of its board are important security guaran- Team have to manage on missions. training tees for a small country like Estonia as such member- in Austria. ships give the possibility to be heard at the same level BFC applied for the sum of 300,000 Euro to cover with the larger countries. Exchange of experience the cost of the project for all three Baltic states, i.e. over the network has created awareness of certain Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The allocated funds tactical changes during bomb attacks and of new are used forpurchasing personal protection equip- trends in criminal activities. Such information enables ment and logistics equipment, for updating stand- Estonia to increase its readiness and neutralise po- ard operating instructions and for training team tential attacks. leaders. In addition, the team organizes a joint training in Latvia, where new equipment and tools are In addition to holding an important position in EE- going to be tested. The entire project is coordinated ODN’s board, Arno Pugonen also leads the Europe- b y an Union grant project ”EEODN activities“. Estonia is Estonia and the aim is to finalize the project by the the first country in the EEODN network who in 2017 received from the European Union a two years grant in the sum of 300,000 Euro for training the explosive ordnance disposal teams. This was the first time, an Arno Pugonen, was elected the Estonian internal security body received such grant. With help of this grant the Estonian Explosive Ord- Vice-Chairman of EEODN for a nance Disposal Team has received world-class train- second term in 2018. ing and is offering it to other countries. .... beginning of 2020. .... ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 37 RUBRIIKAJALUGU

HISTORY

38 PÄÄSTEAMETI AASTARAAMAT 2018 AJALUGU

Firefighting Museum had a good, yet busy year

2018 was a good and busy year for the Estonian The Firefighting Museum’s permanent exposition The restored Firefighting Museum. A photo exhibition about the was also modernised, and the Museum participated 100-years-old history of rescue in Estonia was set up in the House in the Night of Museums event. Keeping the pace of firefighting chariot. of the Blackheads (Mustpeade Maja) in the begin- the previous years continued the guided museum ning of the year for national awards ceremony dur- visits for groups that had received much positive ing the Estonian Republic’s 100th anniversary cele- feedback, and the museum work with digitisation, bration. It can be said that the main focus of the last description and registration of new exhibit items. year’s exhibition activities lied in moving exhibitions and preparation for the exhibition “Estonian organ- A contribution toward history preservation was ized firefighting 100“ planned for 2019. made with restoration of historical vehicles. Almost 100-years old firefighting chariot and a Soviet-era ladder fire truck Zil-131 were brought to new life.....

ESTONIAN RESCUE BOARD YEARBOOK 2018 39 WWW.RESCUE.EE FACEBOOK.COM/PAASTEAMET/