Today, the Lithuanian Fire and Rescue Department will test the national emergency broadcasting system. The test is scheduled for 11:52 a.m., November 16, 2023. This routine exercise will include outdoor sirens sounding with the verbal announcement "Dėmesio visiems" ("Attention all") for approximately three minutes.
The sirens will be followed by text messages sent to cell phones of individuals who have opted to receive such alerts. For iPhone users wishing to activate these notifications, they should navigate to Settings/Notifications and enable Government Alerts.
In case of an actual emergency, residents are advised to follow instructions from public media outlets.
Further details on emergency preparedness in Lithuania can be accessed through the government’s website at https://lt72.lt/what-to-do-in-case-you-hear-civil-protection-signals/?lang=en.
For any inquiries or assistance, U.S. citizens in Lithuania can contact the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius located at Akmenu g. 6. The embassy's main phone number is +(370) (5) 266-5600 with an after-hours emergency line at +(370) (5) 266-5500. Additional resources include contacting the U.S. Department of State – Consular Affairs at +1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444.
For continuous updates, U.S. citizens are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which facilitates receiving security messages and aids in locating them during emergencies.