Iceland delays public emergency preparedness booklet until autumn

Iceland has postponed the publication of a booklet on how the public should prepare for and respond to conflicts and disasters, Morgunblaðið reports. The booklet was originally expected by late February or early March, but authorities now aim to publish it in the autumn.

Runólfur Þórhallsson, a chief superintendent in the Civil Protection Department of the National Police Commissioner, said the project had proved more extensive than expected. The work required consultation with numerous institutions, while the summer holiday period, preparations for the total eclipse and the debate on European Union matters also affected the capacity of government agencies and emergency responders to work on it.

“It was important to do this properly and involve all the relevant institutions in the publication,” Runólfur said.

The booklet is now in its final stages, with its design, editing and text nearing completion. It is expected to be in A5 format and around 20 pages long, with concise guidance and a checklist for the public to follow. A dedicated section of the Civil Protection website will later make the information available in several languages.

Runólfur said the booklet would focus on personal safety and resilience rather than preparing specifically for war. He said the aim was to help society respond more effectively to threats including complex emergencies, cyberattacks and natural events.

Other Nordic countries have already distributed similar booklets to the public, partly in response to what the article describes as growing threats from Russia.