07.05.2026
university

What to do in case of a public warning

In Estonia, public warnings about large-scale threats are delivered via SMS alerts sent through the EE-ALARM system, mobile apps Eesti app and “Ole valmis!”, warning sirens, or channels of the Estonian Public Broadcasting. In the case of an air alert, pay close attention to whether the situation involves a potential or a direct threat, as not every alert requires sheltering.

If you receive an alert from the EE-ALARM system

Read the message carefully and follow the instructions provided. Depending on the situation, the alert may refer to either a potential or a direct threat.

In the case of a potential threat, a hazardous object (for example, a drone) may enter the area, but there is no direct threat. In this situation, there is no need to take shelter straight away.

If you receive a warning about a potential threat:

  • continue your normal daily activities;
  • remain alert and think through your next steps in case the situation changes;
  • stay vigilant until an official notice confirms that the threat has passed.

In the case of a direct threat, the alert will clearly instruct: “Take cover now.” Warning sirens may also be activated.

If you receive the instruction “Take cover now”:

  • do not attempt to reach a more distant public shelter, but go to the nearest windowless room on the lowest possible floor;
  • stay there until you receive an official notice confirming that the threat has passed.

For more detailed guidelines, see olevalmis.ee/en/seeking-shelter

Taking cover in University of Tartu buildings

If you are already inside a building, take cover in a windowless room on the lowest possible floor. Do not move to another building or attempt to reach a public shelter.

Taking cover in public shelters

Public shelters are intended for those who are nearby at the moment of direct threat.

Public shelters (e.g. pedestrian tunnels, underground car parks, basements) are places where you can quickly take cover if you are outdoors when receiving the public warning of a direct threat. If you are at work or at home, stay where you are and find the nearest windowless room or basement for taking cover.

In an emergency situation (for example, a threat of military attack), a public warning will be issued, after which shelters must be ready to receive people around the clock. In peacetime, these locations may not be open, and their use is temporary. They may also lack basic amenities (such as seating or toilet facilities).

Public_shelter
Public shelters are marked with the international civil defence symbol. Author: Päästeamet
  • Underground car par of the Delta building, Narva mnt 18
  • Puiestee building of Miina Härma Gümnaasium, Puiestee tn 62
  • Forestry building of the Estonian University of Life Sciences, F.R. Kreutzwaldi 5
  • Hugo Treffner Gymnasium, Munga 12
  • Kristjan Jaak Petersoni Gümnaasium, Kaunase pst 70
  • Kvartal shopping centre, Riia 2
  • Püssirohukelder, Lossi 28
  • Sports hall, Tamme pst 1
  • Tartu Jogentaga Kool, Uus 54
  • Tartu Descartes'i Kool, Anne 65
  • Tartu Forseliuse Kool, Tähe 103
  • Technology building of Tartu Forseliuse Kool, Tähe 101
  • Tartu Herbert Masingu Kool, Vanemuise 33
  • Tartu Jaan Poska Gymnasium, Vanemuise 35
  • Tartu Kaubamaja shopping centre, Riia 1
  • Main building of Tartu Public Library, Kompanii 3/5
  • Tartu Vocational College, Kopli 1
  • Tartu Vocational College, Põllu 11
  • Tartu Market Hall, Vabaduse pst 1
  • University of Tartu Tartu Institute of Physics, Ostwaldi 1
  • University of Tartu study building, Lossi 3
  • University of Tartu Library, Struve 1
  • Tartu Veeriku Kool, Veeriku 41
  • Pedestrian tunnel at the Balti Jaam railway station, Toompuiestee
  • Underground car park of Balti Jaama Turg, Kopli 1
  • Day centre for the elderly, Ehitajate tee 82, Mustamäe
  • Eesti Loto office building, Hallivanamehe 4
  • Filtri tee tunnel
  • Haabersti District Administration, Ehitajate tee 109a/1
  • Pedestrian tunnel at Kaarli puiestee
  • Kadriorg Park's Orangery, L. Koidula 34a
  • Kakumäe Selver, Rannamõisa tee 6, Haabersti
  • Basement of the building of the Environment Agency, Mustamäe tee 33
  • Kesklinna social centre, Liivalaia 32
  • Kristiine District Administration, Metalli 5
  • Kultuurikatel, Kursi 3
  • Gallery basement, Pärnu mnt 6
  • Lasnamäe sports centre, Pae 1
  • Liivalaia tunnel, Liivalaia 5
  • Lindakivi Centre, Koorti 22
  • Mahla street tunnel, Männiku tee 24
  • Margareeta aed Bunker, Pikk 72
  • Margareeta aed Citysec, Pikk 72
  • Mustakivi tunnel, Lasnamäe
  • Mustamäe District Administration, E. Vilde tee 118
  • Underground car park of Mustika Centre, Kärjavälja 4
  • Nõmme District Administration, Valdeku 13
  • Nõmme Social House, Pihlaka 12
  • Pirita District Administration, Kloostri tee 6
  • Pirita Majandusgümnaasium, Metsavahi tee 19
  • Põhja Sports Hall, Uus-Maleva 19
  • Põhja-Tallinn Activity Centre, Sõle 61a
  • Pääsküla Youth Centre, Rännaku pst 1
  • Renniotsa pedestrian tunnel
  • Reval-Sport sports centre, Aia 20
  • Riigi Kinnisvara AS, Lasnamäe 2
  • Underground car park of the Rotermann quarter, Rotermanni 5
  • Salme Cultural Centre, Salme 12
  • Car par of Solaris shopping centre, Estonia pst 9
  • Skyon office building, Maakri 30
  • Tallinna Humanitaargümnaasium, Koidu 97
  • Tallinna Järveotsa Gümnaasium, Järveotsa tee 31
  • Tallinna Kuristiku Gümnaasium, Kärberi 9
  • Tallinn Airport passenger terminal I, Tartu mnt 101
  • Tallinna Läänemere Gümnaasium, Vormsi 3
  • Tallinn refugee reception centre, Niine 2
  • Tallinna Õismäe Gümnaasium, Õismäe tee 50
  • Tondiraba ice hall, Varraku 14
  • Tondiraba tunnel, Lasnamäe
  • Tornimäe underground car park, Tornimäe 1
  • Ülemiste City underground car park for Öpik buildings, Valukoja 8
  • Underground car park of Ülemiste Centre, Suur-Sõjamäe 4
  • Vabaduse Square undergound car park, Vabaduse Square 9
  • Grahv Zeppelin office and apartment building, Lai 15/15a
  • Ingrian Finn Culture Society, Lõuna 18
  • Kuninga Põhikool, Kuninga 29
  • Port Artur I shopping centre, Hommiku 2
  • Indoor car park of Port Artur I, Lai 7
  • Pärnu Hotel, Rüütli 44
  • Pärnu Keskus shopping centre, Lai 7
  • Sports hall of Pärnu Vanalinna Põhikool, Pühavaimu 19
  • Raeküla Põhikool, Käo 4
  • Vabakonna maja, Lai 4
  • Administrative building, Haigla 6
  • Administrative building, Kerese 20
  • Bastion casemates, Pimeaia 1
  • Cultural centre Rugodiv, A. Puškini 8
  • Department of Urban Management, Peetri plats 3
  • City government building, Raekoja plats 5
  • City council building, Peetri 1
  • Polyclinic, Vestervalli 15
  • Town hall, Raekoja plats 1
  • Social Welfare Office, Malmi 5a
  • Krõllipesa Lasteaed, Riia mnt 30
  • Sakala Centre, Tallinna 5
  • Ugala Theatre, Vaksali 7
  • Viljandi Jakobsoni Kool, Riia mnt 91
  • Viljandi Kesklinna Kool, C. R. Jakobsoni 42

For the most up-to-date information on public shelters, see the website of the Estonian Rescue Board

Make sure the public warning alerts reach you

Download the following apps to your phone: Eesti app and “Ole valmis!” app

Check that emergency notifications are enabled in both apps. Also review your phone’s settings: app notifications, sounds and push notifications must be switched on.

Check the apps at least once a month. If they are not updated or are incorrectly configured, public warning alerts may not reach you in time.

See instructions for setting up the Eesti app and “Ole valmis!” app.

For more information, see olevalmis.ee, kriis.ee or call the state helpline 1247