Shelter 2026 brings together more than 2 000 participants for a large-scale civil defense exercise in the Savilahti Luola

Luola is considered one of the most modern dual-use civil defense shelters in Europe. In everyday use, the facility serves as a venue for sports and events, but it can be converted into a civil defense shelter for approximately 7 000 people when required.

The Shelter 2026 civil protection exercise will take place in Savilahti, Kuopio on 2–3 September 2026. The exercise will test the protection of a large population, cooperation between authorities and practical civil defense operating procedures. With more than 2 000 participants,the exercise is exceptional in scale and is attracting international interest as well.

The exercise is organized jointly by the North Savo Rescue Department, the City of Kuopio, local educational institutions and several authorities, volunteer organizations and companies. Its objective is to strengthen preparedness for various disruptions and emergency conditions, while also gathering practical experience to support the further development of civil protection and preparedness measures.

“Protecting the population is, in practice, the result of many elements working together: decision-making, leadership, communications, situational awareness and easy-going cooperation among several operators. The Shelter 2026 exercise is designed specifically to strengthen this cooperation and to proactively test operational models,” says Jere Vihavainen, Preparedness Coordinator at the North Savo Rescue Department.

The material collected during the exercise will be used in civil protection training, and the aim is to create a digital learning environment that will enable civil protection practices to be taught in the future as well.

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