All programmes
Norwegian Project Enhances Lithuania’s Emergency Response and Public Safety
On April 18, the Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) held a conference in Vilnius to wrap up the project “Development of an early warning system on nuclear emergency of Lithuania”. The project, funded by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism’s "Environment, Energy, Climate Change" programme, aimed to improve safety for Lithuanian residents in case of a potential accident at the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant. The focus was on enhancing the public’s warning systems and preparedness for emergencies.
Vitalij Dmitrijev, Deputy Minister of the Interior, stressed the importance of public awareness, noting that the threat from the Astravyets Nuclear Power Plant brought together both Lithuanian institutions and partners in Norway. He mentioned that last year’s functional exercises, involving 17 municipalities and various state and public institutions, were a key part of the project. “Public knowledge is vital to preparedness,” he said. “Incorporating this information into education programs will help future generations know what to do during emergencies.”
Saulius Greičius, Director of FRD, thanked Norway for its support, saying, “We are fortunate to have neighbors who care about our safety. I appreciate Norway and the Norwegian Embassy for helping to strengthen our security.”
Ole Terje Horpestad, the Norwegian Ambassador to Lithuania, expressed his satisfaction with the project’s results. He highlighted the importance of the warning sirens, which will help the public prepare for potential emergencies and minimize damage. “Thank you to everyone involved in implementing this project,” he said.
Giedrius Sakalinskas, Deputy Director of FRD and project leader, spoke about the challenges faced during the project and emphasized that its success was possible due to close cooperation with all project partners.
One of the project’s significant achievements was the installation of a residents' warning siren system in 17 municipalities. 197 sirens were installed to alert people in case of nuclear accidents or other crises. This will modernize Lithuania’s public warning system and ensure its future development.
Sakalinskas also highlighted the civil defense exercises that were held last year at the Firefighter’s Rescue School, which saw nearly 700 participants from 50 Lithuanian and foreign institutions.
In addition, the project created an information system and training programs for the public, integrated into Lithuania’s education system, tailored to different age groups. These programs will help inform people and give them the skills needed during emergencies.
Sakalinskas invited everyone to visit the updated LT72 website, where residents can find useful information on how to prepare for and respond to disasters.
Per Strand, Director-General of the Norwegian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA), also spoke about the importance of the project in ensuring safety in the event of a nuclear plant incident.
Michaíl Demčenko, Director of the State Nuclear Energy Safety Inspectorate, expressed satisfaction with the cooperation between project partners. He noted that the project funds were used to purchase licensed software for analyzing and forecasting potential accidents at the Belarusian NPP.
Gintaras Paulauskas, Head of the Training Division at the Firefighter’s Rescue School, presented the training programs developed during the project. These programs will educate the public on the necessary skills for dealing with crises and emergencies.
The conference also covered topics like planning and preparedness for nuclear incidents, organizing mass decontamination, and coordinating the evacuation of residents. Participants discussed the importance of being ready to manage potential nuclear accidents.
Information provided by the Fire and Rescue Department.
More about the Environment, Energy and Climate Change Programme
The Norwegian Financial Mechanism's Environment, Energy and Climate Change Programme 2014-2021 in Lithuania aims to improve the environmental condition of ecosystems and reduce the negative impacts of pollution and other human activities. Various measures under the programme strengthen the capacity of society and regions to adapt to climate change, focuses on renewable energy and its efficiency, disaster prevention, the safe closure of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, and hazardous waste management. In total, more than €14.12 million has been allocated to the Environment, Energy and Climate Change programme for the period 2014-2021. The implementation of the programme is supervised by the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA).
The Norwegian Financial Mechanism's Environment, Energy and Climate Change Programme 2014-2021 in Lithuania aims to improve the environmental condition of ecosystems and reduce the negative impacts of pollution and other human activities. Various measures under the programme strengthen the capacity of society and regions to adapt to climate change, focuses on renewable energy and its efficiency, disaster prevention, the safe closure of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, and hazardous waste management. In total, more than €14.12 million has been allocated to the Environment, Energy and Climate Change programme for the period 2014-2021. The implementation of the programme is supervised by the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA).