storm - Hrvatski memorijalno-dokumentacijski centar Domovinskog ...

- 120,000 places in basic protection shelters;
- 170,000 places in auxiliary protection shelters;
- 200,000 places in trench shelters.
Th e already built shelters do not meet the requirements. However, cellar and other
premises matching needs can also be used extensively in addition to the limited number
of basic and auxiliary protection shelters. Such facilities could cover about 60% of the
requirements. Solutions for the remaining population need to be sought in transferring
population to less threatened parts in which trench shelters would be provided.
Th e possibilities for providing trench shelters are minimal because of limited availability
of construction machinery, shelter decks and fuel. Th e problem is particularly pronounced
in peripheral settlements where the availability or non-availability of shelter facilities
may aff ect the decision of the population whether to stay or leave.
Th e evacuation of the population needs to be planned from the zones aff ected by the fi rst
degree of threat, and especially from peripheral settlements and places along a specifi c
tactical line of action.
Evacuation plans need to include pregnant women, women with children up to ten years
of age, and elderly, sick and infi rm persons.
In larger towns which can be air raid targets evacuation should cover part of the above
mentioned evacuation-eligible persons for whom at least auxiliary shelter facilities
cannot be provided.
Th e general position is that the population should leave the settlements, borderland
ones, in particular, only in cases of immediate danger. Accordingly, evacuation plans
must exclude timely evacuation.
Th is also means that the sending of transport means to settlements from which evacuation
is envisioned can be planned only in extremely favourable circumstances.
Th is principle, i.e., evacuation only in specifi c, well-assessed situations and on decision
of responsible bodies, means that the material required for evacuation (especially fuel)
must be secured in time and made available to civil defence headquarters and offi cers,
or even vehicle owners.
Th e evacuees need to be quartered in less jeopardized zones. Th e quarters must be
prepared in detail in due time, and basic necessities for the evacuees provided.
In addition to citizens these activities need to involve companies and organizations
in industry, health care, municipal services, construction, factory&offi ce canteens,
humanitarian organizations and societies, educational institutions, etc.
In addition to planned and organized evacuation, in some situations the population
will leave on their own initiative. Such situations require appropriate panic-prevention
measures, and the population needs to be directed to places intended for reception and
relocation.
When planning relief of the aff ected population the needs should be assessed in terms of
the degree of destruction or unhabitability of residential buildings as follows:
- 20-40% in the areas of most intensive action;
- up to 5% in towns subject to air-raids.
302