The serious incident in Galați, where a drone hit a block of flats despite two successive warnings, reveals large gaps in the security education of Romanians. The head of DSU, Raed Arafat, warns that RO-ALERT messages must be taken seriously, and the state institutions (IGSU, DSU, SRI) recommend immediate protective measures: quick shelter away from windows, preparation of an emergency kit for 72 hours and strict avoidance of fragments of military equipment after the impact.
Ro Alert message in case of a drone attack Photo: Ro-Alert
State institutions, such as the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU), the Department for Emergency Situations (DSU) and the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI), have published guidelines and recommendations for emergency situations. In the context of Friday's events, Raed Arafat, the head of the DSU, made some basic recommendations.
“The intervention protocols are there, only here the only thing that remains is for the population to understand that the messages we give them are necessary. The probability is small, but watch it happen. We are on the second incident in a month, so these messages must be taken seriously. At least they must be away from windows, walls, put in the middle of the apartment to be protected by the outer walls and if possible even under a structure, under a table, if possible or if they have shelter in that block, to go to that shelter where they can get there quickly“, declared Raed Arafat.
How to react during a drone attack
In the event of an explosion or an alert issued by the authorities regarding the presence of drones, the first steps to follow depending on the available reaction time are:
- If you are indoors, stay away from windows and glazing and choose rooms with strong walls.
- If you are in the block, avoid using the elevator and take the stairs.
- If you are on the street or in a car, move away from buildings, trees or poles and lie on the ground with your hands above your head.
- Take shelter immediately in a cellar, basement or civil protection shelter.
- If you don't have access to a specialized shelter, go into a solid indoor room, away from windows and things that can be projected. Basements and spaces inside buildings usually offer better protection than open areas.
Authorities warn that the blast's blast can turn shards of glass into extremely dangerous projectiles.
Pay attention to RO-ALERT messages
The RO-ALERT system transmits official warnings in real time. If you receive an alert:
- Read the message immediately.
- If you are driving, pull over in a safe place before checking your phone.
- Follow the instructions given by the authorities.
More information about the RO-ALERT system can be consulted on the official website of the Department for Emergency Situations: https://www.ro-alert.ro
How to Prepare Ahead: The 72-Hour Emergency Kit
Specialists recommend that every home has a survival kit that allows autonomy for at least 72 hours. For crisis situations there is a guide developed by the Euro-Atlantic Center for Resilience (E-ARC), in cooperation with the Department for Emergency Situations, the National Directorate of Cyber Security and the Ministry of National Defense.
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The minimum kit should contain for each dwelling:
Water and food
- Minimum 3 liters of water per person per day
- preserves
- Energy bars
- Non-perishable food
Documents and information
- Important documents kept in waterproof bags
- A battery powered radio for information in the event of a communications blackout
Useful equipment
- Lantern
- Backup batteries
- First aid kit
- Hygiene products
Cash
The authorities recommend keeping a reserve of cash because during a crisis there may be problems with ATMs or POS terminals.
Functional ATM Photo: Pixabay
What to do after the attack is over
After the danger has ceased:
- Avoid affected areas or damaged buildings.
- Do not touch drone fragments or suspicious objects.
- Avoid fallen electrical cables.
- Call 112 immediately and report the exact location of any observed debris.
Official platforms with useful information and guides
For complete recommendations regarding behavior in emergency situations, the population can consult the official platforms of the Romanian authorities:
