Warsaw City Hall is rushing to transform its metro stations into sprawling civil defence shelters. Thousands of emergency supplies like thermoses, flasks, sleeping bags, and stretchers are being snapped up. This bold move aims to house over 100,000 people underground in case of an emergency or war.
Underground Shield: Metro Stations Become Lifelines
Dubbed the Underground Shield, the programme retrofits metro stations and technical facilities in partnership with the fire service. Dedicated zones for water, stretchers, blankets, and more are being set up. Technical rooms are being kitted out to store this vital emergency gear.
Rafał Trzaskowski, Warsaw’s mayor, announced on X: “Our metro stations will no longer serve only transport; they will be part of Warsaw’s civil defence system, ready to protect lives in emergencies or conflict.”
Full Autonomy Key to Shelter Safety
Ensuring the shelters can operate independently is a top priority. City officials are buying generators and other gear to keep the stations functional even if power fails. Upgrades are underway to modernise technical rooms to support this self-sufficiency.
Deputy Minister Wesław Lesniakiewicz stressed: “We are learning from Ukraine’s wartime resilience. Every Pole must be ready for the toughest times.”
First Phase of a Major Crisis-Readiness Drive
This emergency kit procurement marks just the start. City Hall plans phased upgrades across the metro network, continuing with technical room modernisation. The ultimate goal is to ensure Warsaw is prepared for all crisis scenarios, using the metro’s underground infrastructure for rapid shelter conversion.
