A civil defense specialist told TVP World, during a tour of one of Helsinki’s underground shelters, that sport facilities play an important role in Finland’s civil defense “doctrine.” 

Tomi Rask from the Helsinki City Rescue Department said that, as well as an “emergency medical system,” the shelter also holds spaces for recreational activities. 

“We have swimming halls, we have sporting grounds, we have storage places, hockey rinks—whatever that can be converted within our legislative right,” he said. 

“It is our way of thinking of securing citizens against any aggressors, against Finland. It is a comprehensive idea that every function of a society attributes its own piece to the machine that protects us.” 

It is not just a government initiative, he noted. 

“We have several associations and several volunteers involved in our civil defense system, and they are crucial part of it,” Rask said. 

Watch TVP World’s full interview above.