According to the Emergency Act, crisis management encompasses the prevention of, preparation for and resolution of emergencies. The Emergency Act, which is one of the pillars of the crisis management system in Estonia, provides a legal framework for the structure and organisation of the system. Crisis management in Estonia is based on four principles:
- decentralisation, according to which every ministry is responsible for carrying out the crisis management activities of its area of government;
- inter-agency cooperation, which is necessary in preparing for and resolving emergencies;
- the principle of the permanence of tasks, which means that all the institutions and people fulfil their tasks even in crisis situations;
- the principle of subsidiarity, according to which crisis management activities are carried out at the lowest possible level.
The Ministry of the Interior studied the information needs of the residents of Estonia during and before crises
The Ministry of the Interior called for an applied research project with the aim of determining the information search and usage practices of the residents of Estonia both before and during an emergency situation.
The study mapped the needs and habits of different target groups in gathering information important to them, both in ordinary circumstances and in a crisis situation. The study primarily focused on the webpages kriis.ee and olevalmis.ee and the app ‘Ole valmis!’ (Be Prepared!) as parts of a central risk and crisis communication platform, in order to better plan further development needs.
The study included Estonian residents as well as representatives of private and third sector organisations. In addition to an extensive data analysis, the study also presented proposals and practical solutions based on interviews and data analysis, as to what the content and structure of a risk and crisis communication platform that takes into account the users’ preferences and behaviour patterns could look like. The main idea which each individual channel should jointly develop is focused on five actions: learn, prepare, act, help, prevent. The information people receive or search for should, through these five actions, help them cope in a variety of situations – be it an adder bite, a flood or an extensive power outage.
The study highlighted that people need a uniform approach in they conveying of information, regardless of which information channel they are used to using. The best solution for this is a reliable webpage which is also available as a downloadable app. The latter can also be used without an internet connection. Thus, risk and crisis communication messages in Estonia must be concentrated through a webpage (or webpages) based on a single unified principle and people should also be encouraged to use the app.
As of 1 July 2021, the coordination of national crisis communication has been transferred to the Government Office, but everyday risk prevention messages are handled by individual institutions themselves. The results of the study are therefore a good tool for everyone who wish to convey risk and crisis messages to the population.
Emergencies and extraordinary emergency situations
An emergency is an event or a chain of events or an interruption of vital services, which corresponds to the following characteristics (in combination):
- endangers the life or health of many people,
- causes extensive property damage, extensive environmental damage or serious and extensive disruptions in the continuity of other vital services;
- resolution requires the coordinated activities of several institutions or people involved in them,
- resolution requires using management arrangements that differ from the ordinary, and involving significantly more people and resources than in ordinary circumstances.
If an event or a chain of events or a disruption in vital services does not correspond to the characteristics of an emergency listed above, but is likely to evolve into an emergency in the near future, then it is termed a risk of an emergency.
In order to resolve an emergency, the Government may also impose an extraordinary emergency situation if the resolution of the emergency requires the use of additional measures, for instance:
- obligating people to work,
- entering buildings and territories without the owner’s consent,
- establishing a curfew and otherwise restricting the freedom of movement,
- expropriating personal property (e.g. using sand, building materials, fuel, etc.),
- expropriating technical equipment (e.g. vehicles, heavy machinery, etc.),
- restricting the organisation of public meetings and public events.
In the case of an extraordinary emergency situation, the Government appoints a minister responsible for one area to oversee the resolution of the situation.
Assessment of emergency risks
In order to assess various dangers and risks, emergency risk analyses are prepared, which allow us to systemically assess which events might evolve into an emergency and which not. The assessment also includes an analysis of preparedness and capabilities, in order to map significant deficiencies and plan measures for eliminating or reducing these.
Emergency risk analyses are prepared for the following events:
- rescue events – the Rescue Board (risk form is available here);
- police events – the Police and Border Guard Board (risk form is available here);
- cyber incidents – the Information System Authority (risk form is available here);
- radiation or nuclear accident – the Environmental Board (risk form is available here);
- healthcare events – the Health Board (risk form is available here);
- animal diseases – the Veterinary and Food Board (risk form is available here).
A risk form is prepared for every event resulting in an emergency. Risk forms are a part of the risk analysis prepared for increasing public awareness. The leading institution publishes the risk form on its webpage within two weeks at the latest after the approval of the risk analysis and presents the main conclusions of the risk analysis to the public.
Related links
Last updated: 29.04.2023