On April 16, 2024 the Cabinet of Ministers took note of the Ministry of the Interior's informative report “On the results of financial and economic calculations and planned measures to ensure construction of Disaster management centers”, in which the Ministry of the Interior informed about the progress of construction of 34 Disaster management centers throughout the territory of Latvia.
The construction of depot buildings and disaster management centers of the State Fire and Rescue Service (hereinafter - SFRS) in accordance with the specified priorities is an essential precondition for the functioning of the state civil protection and disaster management system.
The facilities built within the framework of the financing of high-readiness projects in Iecava and Priekule have now been put into service, as well as the operation of these facilities by users has been commenced. Construction work is continuing at sites in Dagda and Ilūkste to put them into service by the end of June 2024. In Kandava, Aizpute, Saulkrasti and Rūjiena, the contract with the constructor has been terminated due to default. Procurement is organized for completion of construction, which is expected to be ensured this year.
It has already been reported that on February 13, the Cabinet of Ministers took note of the Ministry of Interior informative report on construction and completion of the SFRS fire stations in Aizpute, Dagda, Iecava, Ilūkste, Kandava, Priekule, Rūjiena and Saulkrasti, as well as supported the proposals included in the informative report regarding further action, necessary funding and possible sources thereof. The Cabinet of Ministers also backed a proposal to extend the final term of construction of the fire stations until December 31, 2024 to ensure the completion of the construction of all eight buildings of the SFRS depots.
For those Disaster management centers planned to be built within the framework of the financing of the Recovery and Resilience Facility, procurements have been concluded and design and construction contracts have been concluded for the construction of the Disaster management centers in Liepāja, Salacgrīva, Viļāni, Alsunga, Daugavpils, Madona, Līvāni, Alūksne, Talsi and Tukums (construction of the object in Tukums will be ensured by the resources from the state budget). In all of these sites, design works have been done or are in the final phase. Construction work has also started in Daugavpils. Construction of all specified sites is planned to be completed by the first quarter of 2026. In addition, 24 buildings are to be demolished at the same time, with a total planned area of 12 668.9 square meters.
On the other hand, in the construction of Disaster management centers, a grouping of objects into four groups has been carried out within the framework of measures to strengthen security: group 1 includes Disaster management centers in Riga (Bolderāja), Jūrmala (Dzintari), Kuldīga; group 2 - Aizkraukle, Ludza, Sigulda, Preiļi; group 3 - Balvi, Dobele, Kauguri, Krāslava, Limbaži, Rēzekne, Saldus; group 4 – administrative centers of Disaster management centers in Jēkabpils and Jelgava.
In the preparation process of the draft law “On the state budget for 2023 and the budget framework for 2023, 2024 and 2025”, the granting of financing in the amount of EUR 103 151 786 is supported for security strengthening measures or construction of Disaster management centers for 2023-2025.
The Ministry of the Interior and its subordinate institutions are constantly and purposefully working on the implementation of structural reforms and good practices in the interior sector. Forward-looking investments in infrastructure in the home affairs sector is one of the cornerstones of the overall development of the sector, allowing for long-term financial savings. In addition, an orderly infrastructure has a positive impact on the attraction of young professionals to the home affairs services and allows the introduction of the latest innovations and digital technologies in the work of the home affairs sector.
