What you need to know to protect yourself?
To protect themselves, residents only need to remember one phone number that guarantees quick and effective action in case of an accident - 112.
Calling to 112 is for free. You can call it from any phone, including without a mobile phone SIM card, from anywhere in Latvia where there is mobile network coverage. The 112 Contact Center dispatcher will provide information on how to act in a specific situation, send firefighters, rescuers and police officers to the scene of the incident, or connect you to another necessary service - the Emergency Medical Service, the municipal police, the JSC "Gaso" emergency service, etc.
112 is the single emergency number in the European Union. In case of danger, you can also call the direct emergency services numbers:
- State Fire and Rescue Service and State Police - 112,
- Emergency medical service - 113 vai 112,
- "Gaso" emergency service - 114 vai 112,
- Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center - 115. You should call if an accident has occurred while on the water, while sailing, or if a loved one, friend, acquaintance, or other person has not returned from a rest on the water.
Informing the people
To warn the people in the event of disasters and their threats, one or more information transfer channels can be used:
- by triggering alarm sirens throughout the country or in a specific area;
- by sending a cell broadcast system announcement nationwide or in a specific area;
- by posting an emergency notification about a potential threat and necessary action in the “112 Latvia” app;
- by transferring information to public media – Latvian Television, Latvian Radio, portal: www.lsm.lv;
- by posting information on the websites of operational services and www.112.lv;
- by making announcements through emergency vehicle loudspeakers.
In the event of a threat, information is also passed on to local governments and responsible services.
To receive information about natural disasters, industrial accidents and their threats, further actions and measures to be taken, use one of the media:
- Latvijas radio 1,
- Latvijas radio 2,
- Latvijas radio 3,
- Latvijas radio 4,
- Latvijas radio 5,
- Latvijas TV LTV1 un LTV7,
- www.lsm.lv.
When information about a threat is received
- Do not turn off radios and televisions, listen to the following information. Listen to the announcements made by the State Police and the State Fire and Rescue Service personnel over the loudspeakers and follow them. Notify your closest neighbors about the incident!
- Seek information only from reliable sources, such as state and local government institutions, emergency services, and Latvian public television and radio information channels.
- Do not trust online comments, self-proclaimed experts, articles by anonymous authors on portals and social media accounts - they do not always provide objective and truthful information. Trusting them in an emergency can be dangerous.
Evacuation of people at risk
- Evacuation may be announced when the threat is still possible or during it. Information about the need for evacuation and additional instructions will be provided to you via radio and television, or through the loudspeakers of police, fire and rescue vehicles.
- In the event of an evacuation announcement, you must leave in the indicated direction using the provided transportation or, if possible, your own personal vehicle.
- If, upon receiving a call to evacuate, you refuse, you must confirm the refusal in writing, thereby assuming responsibility for the possible consequences. Evacuation refusal form.
- In case of a short-term evacuation, take with you identification documents (passport, eID card), cash, bank cards, mobile phone and its charger, portable radio with batteries, and medication if you need to use it regularly.
- In case of a prolonged evacuation, you should bring an emergency bag. Remember that the bag should be as heavy as you can carry.
- In the event of an evacuation, there is no need to panic, it is necessary to remain calm.
Preparedness for non-standard situations
Prepare in advance for possible emergency, non-standard situations. It is recommended to keep in reserve:
- matches, candles, flashlights,
- radio with spare batteries
- gas (alcohol) stove,
- medical kit and necessary medicines,
- food reserves that should be stored outside the refrigerator and drinking water,
- cash.
Important! Keep your identification documents in a place known and accessible to all family members.
Critical ATMs
ATMs are located throughout Latvia so that everyone has the opportunity to withdraw cash. Some of them are critical ATMs, or ATMs that are supplied with money first in emergencies. Map showing the ATMs in Latvia kritiskie bankomāti.
Booklet in Latvian "What you need to know about money and finansical services in a crisis"
