At the end of this week, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania will connect to the continental European power grid, a transition in which local governments also play a crucial role. Tallinn already has a round-the-clock crisis readiness system in place.

Tallinn Mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski stated: "We are prepared for this event both at the national and city level. All our systems have been checked and are in a state of readiness. Residents have no reason to worry, and the city is also prepared for any unforeseen circumstances."

Since 2022, the Estonian Rescue Board has assessed Tallinn's crisis preparedness at level nine, the highest possible rating. This demonstrates the city's strong capability in crisis management and ensuring public assistance during emergencies.

Tallinn has a comprehensive crisis preparedness and response system, with the capability to react 24/7. All city departments, agencies, and districts have developed crisis and continuity plans to ensure the uninterrupted provision of services in any situation.

The city has trained crisis coordinators, who are responsible for managing crises according to the specific needs of their institutions. Additionally, around 100 volunteer crisis responders have undergone trainings, exercises, and drills to provide necessary support to residents. Tallinn's volunteer rescue team is also prepared to respond when needed.

Tallinn has emergency stockpiles that can provide accommodation and a three-day food supply for over 2,000 people. The city also has mobile and stationary generators and fuel reserves to ensure the continued operation of essential services. There are eight resilience centers across the city that can be opened as needed to provide assistance, advice, and guidance to residents.

Head of the Tallinn Municipal Police Department, Elari Kasemets, emphasized: "We have checked the functionality of all our generators and fuel reserves. Some mobile generators have already been pre-positioned near critical infrastructure. All city departments, agencies, and district governments have reviewed their crisis plans, and crisis response teams have undergone training and drills to refresh their knowledge. Tallinn has been among the top cities in crisis preparedness for several years. Because of this, we don't need to start from scratch now—we can refine our existing capabilities to make them even more effective."

While the city is well-prepared, individual preparedness is also crucial. Everyone should consider how to be ready for different crisis situations.

For guidance on crisis preparedness (in Estonian, English and Russian language), visit:

• Ole Valmis – A national preparedness website
• Kriis.ee – Crisis information from government sources
• Tallinn Crisis Prevention – Information, tips, and resources for city residents and apartment associations

How to act on February 8–9

• Continue your daily activities as usual and consume electricity as you normally would.
• Review your crisis preparedness and supplies. Although power outages are highly unlikely, it is always good to be prepared for a short-term electricity disruption.
• Do not believe or spread misinformation. Official information will be available at valitsus.ee or via the national crisis hotline 1247. Reliable information is provided by government websites and major media channels.