Poland to start distributing instructions in case of air attack

Poland's Ministry of Interior will start distributing a special instruction for the public with rules of conduct in the event of an air attack threat from Friday, September 25. The document will be placed on state websites, and through voivodes it will be handed over to all local self-government bodies.

Deputy head of the Ministry of Interior Magdalena Roguska stressed that this is not a new "Security Handbook" that Polish authorities published earlier, but its supplement dedicated directly to air threats.

The authorities recommend studying the warning signals used in the country, determining the location of the nearest shelter and a safe route to it even before the alarm is announced. Families are also advised to agree in advance on a meeting place and means of communication, and to keep a prepared evacuation backpack at home.

After the announcement of an air alert, residents are advised to take necessary medicines and an evacuation backpack and, if safe, head to the nearest shelter. You should not use the elevator – you need to go down the stairs.

If the official shelter is too far and you would have to be outside for a long time, the authorities advise staying in a permanent building. The safest is considered a room without windows, separated from the street by at least two walls.

Those caught by an explosion in open areas are advised to lie on the ground – if possible in a depression – and cover their head. Those in a car are advised to leave the vehicle and get to the nearest protected place. After the attack, you should not immediately leave the shelter until an official message about the cancellation of the threat.

The Ministry of Interior also recommends not overloading mobile networks with calls and, if possible, use SMS, follow messages from the Government Security Centre, local authorities and emergency services.

In parallel, Poland is expanding practical training for the public. On September 26, exercises on responding to an air alert will be held in at least 260 fire stations and training points of the Podlaskie and Warmian-Masurian Voivodeships. Similar training was previously organized in the Lublin and Subcarpathian Voivodeships.

Polish authorities explain the strengthening of preparation by the growing risk of violation of the country's airspace against the backdrop of Russian attacks on western regions of Ukraine. This week, six border crossings with Ukraine in the Lublin and Subcarpathian Voivodeships were also put on high alert.

Based on materials: TVP Info, Polish government, Ministry of Interior of Poland