In June, Episode 21 of the Last Week in Denmark newsletter discussed that the Government will inspect emergency shelters and upgrade them. As the threat of an attack by Russia looms over us and the intensity seems to rise every year, Denmark’s approach to crisis shelters and civil defence has evolved significantly since the Cold War. If Denmark is attacked, do you know where your nearest shelter is? And do you know if it even meets security criteria? It is quite uncertain, which is why an overview of the situation is needed.
As geopolitical tensions rise across Europe and climate-related disasters become increasingly common, I take a deep dive into how Denmark is adapting its emergency preparedness for the 21st century, while building on decades of civil defence expertise.
Beyond Cold War Relics: The Significance of Modern Emergency Shelters
For decades, shelters in Denmark (and across Europe) have been associated with the Cold War and nuclear threats. But today, the planning strategy is taking a new shape. The Ministry of Community Safety and Emergency Preparedness states that emergency shelters remain relevant, but not in the way people often imagine. The focus is no longer just on nuclear or military attacks but on a wide range of dangers, including extreme weather, flooding, cyber-attacks, and power outages.
I had the chance to get some insight from the Danish Resilience Agency, which underscores this point.
“Air raid shelters can be relevant in case of military attacks on Denmark. It is the assessment of the Danish Defence Intelligence Service (DDIS) that there currently is no threat of a regular military attack on Denmark, although the military threat from Russia is expected to increase in the years to come. Therefore, several initiatives regarding air raid shelters are currently being undertaken, including an assessment of the current state of the shelters.”
According to a 2023 report from the Danish Emergency Management Agency, Denmark currently has capacity for around 3.6 million shelter spaces, which covers about 61% of the population of Denmark. The overview of shelter spaces sorted by municipalities can be found here. Many of these shelters date back to the Cold War, but their function has clearly been expanded to a broader all-hazard preparedness framework. This is also reflected in the transfer of DEMA (Danish Emergency Management Agency) from the Defence Ministry to the newly created Ministry of Resilience and Preparedness in January 2025.
Finding a Shelter: What Every Resident Should Know
For many of us residents and newcomers, the most urgent question is where to go in an emergency.
The Danish Resilience Agency provides clarity:“There are two types of air raid shelters. Public shelters, which can often be found in parks, and private shelters, which most often can be found in the basements of buildings. Private shelters are reserved for those who use the building where the shelter is located. Private shelters can, for example, be found in schools, office buildings, and private homes.”
Shelter maintenance depends on ownership:
“The Act of Air Raid Shelters dictates that municipalities are responsible for maintaining the public shelters within their jurisdiction, among other things. Private shelters are to be maintained by the owners of the building in which they are located. It is thus municipalities or the local rescue departments that can provide information regarding the location of the nearest shelters. To learn the location of the nearest shelter, residents and newcomers are advised to reach out to their respective municipalities.”
To complement this, DEMA expanded the digital infrastructure, mapping shelter locations, and providing clear guidance through websites, mobile apps, and municipal channels. You can check out the nearest shelters on findbeskyttelsesrum.dk. It also urges households to be prepared to manage for at least three days independently. It allows authorities to prioritise resources where the need is greatest.
Past learnings for Safer Future Planning:
Cold War shelters provide a basic foundation for modern preparedness, but most of them require updating to fulfil modern needs and manage threats.
“Currently, the conditions of most shelters, and thus their ability to function as active air raid shelters, are unknown. The central government and municipalities recently reached an agreement to have the shelters’ conditions examined. This effort is currently ongoing.”
In peacetime, many shelters are used for storage or other purposes. The present law allows this flexibility as long as functionality is maintained:
“According to the The Act of Air Raid Shelters, both public and private shelters can be used for different purposes in peacetime, as long as it does not negatively impact the shelters’ functionality. Thus, today, many shelters are used for storage or other purposes. If necessary, the Minister of Resilience and Preparedness can instruct the municipalities to ready the shelters for active use within a set time frame.”
This philosophy of adapting, rather than abandoning, Cold War infrastructure is proving beneficial in the preparedness strategy. Retrofitting – adding components that were not part of the previous manufacturing, includes upgrades like modern communications, better ventilation, and adjustments to suit a wider range of emergency scenarios. This is one way to show that our authorities have been paying attention and taking notes from past experiences and historical data.
Modern-Day Safety and Its Accessories
The Danish Resilience Agency underscores its innovation agenda:
“Several new technologies are being either tested or used. This includes a new mobile-based public warning system as well as drones, artificial intelligence, among other things.”
Digital innovation (perhaps even invention) now extends into shelter management, and from the looks of it, is an integral part of the ongoing upgrades. Imagine a modern shelter with communication systems that allow real-time coordination with emergency services and regular updates for citizens. These systems could support a broader multi-channel crisis communication strategy that uses social media and traditional media like the radio to reach people quickly and efficiently.
A Message for International Residents
With over 16% of Denmark’s population consisting of internationals, multilingual communication and cultural outreach are priorities. DEMA has developed specific resources and works with integration programs to ensure international residents understand their rights and responsibilities during emergencies.
The Resilience Agency also emphasises the importance of our involvement:
“There are several ways to get involved in preparedness efforts. Firstly, by following the public recommendations on home preparedness. Initiating conversations with friends and family about home preparedness can also be a great way of becoming more involved.”
Building Resilient Communities
Historically, community networks have played a significant role, which in present times will take the current preparedness in Denmark beyond infrastructure. The Danish Agency of Resilience works closely with other agencies, municipalities, regions, and representatives from the private sector, etc., on how to improve preparedness planning in society. So that it can, consequently, respond effectively in any crisis.
One consistent message that ricochets is that every household should have a crisis plan, as it significantly reduces pressure on emergency services and strengthens collective resilience.
As the agency notes:
“If all residents, who can, would follow the public recommendations on home preparedness, the authorities will be able to better focus resources where they are most needed.”
You can also visit the Danish Emergency Management Agency’s website (brs.dk) for shelter maps, preparedness guides, and multilingual resources.
Den danske vej: Balancing Heritage with Innovation
Even if the shelters are from a different era, in true Danish style, the upgrade will modernise the infrastructure for today’s diverse risks. By integrating historical assets with digital technology and emphasising personal responsibility, Denmark is building a civil defence model that other nations are closely studying to replicate.
Let this deep dive be a reminder that a strong community network is the foundation for our resilient future.
In the words of the agency: In case of a crisis, follow the instructions from public authorities at all times. You can read more on the homepage of the Danish Police.
You can also read an interview published on LWID with Torsten Schack Pedersen, Minister for Community Safety and Emergency Preparedness, here.
