Since November 2, 2026, users of devices with Android and iOS systems can download the free application „Gdzie się ukryć PL” developed by the State Fire Service (Państwowa Straż Pożarna). The digital tool serves as a practical guide to a database of over 88,000 shelter points, which meet the protection needs of 24 million residents. The application is available both in the App Store and Google Play, as well as via the website gdziesieukryc.pl. The main goal of the solution is to enable the rapid location of the nearest shelter even in situations where access to the internet is hindered or completely blocked.
The tool has two interface versions: full and simplified. The full version displays a map with the user's location and shelter point markers, adjusting the display orientation to the direction of the phone's movement. For people who may have difficulty using the interactive map, a simplified interface has been provided, which presents a list of the nearest objects without the need to analyze the map graphically. Regardless of the option chosen, the application works without an internet connection. The user receives tips regarding the direction and distance from the target, and during the navigation route, the application generates voice messages informing about approaching or moving away from the indicated point.
Each entry in the application's database contains detailed data, such as the address, type of object, accessibility level, and GPS coordinates. In online mode, it is possible to switch navigation to external services, such as Google Maps or Apple Maps, which increases the flexibility of movement. The application also offers a button enabling an immediate call to the emergency number 112, which is crucial in crisis situations where response time matters. Additionally, the application includes guides on how to behave during various threats, such as floods, fires, air attacks, or blackouts, as well as a list of important phone numbers and samples of alarm signals to listen to.
The creators of the application have ensured full accessibility for people with disabilities. The interface supports screen readers, is adapted for large text display, and allows switching between light and dark themes. Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration Wiesław Leśniakiewicz appealed to citizens to download the application as soon as possible, emphasizing that preparation for a potential crisis is a shared responsibility. In his opinion, this tool may be invaluable when traditional means of communication, including the internet, stop working.
It is worth noting that shelter points have a legal status separate from classic shelters. According to Art. 84a of the Act on Civil Protection and Civil Defence, these are places useful for temporarily hiding people, providing basic protection against sudden, dangerous weather phenomena and the effects of conventional means of destruction, in particular fragments. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration reminds that the obligation to provide shelter for the general public arises only when a threat occurs or an alarm is declared. In times of peace, these objects may be partially inaccessible for organizational or security reasons.
The process of preparing the database and verifying the objects is carried out by the State Fire Service and the District Building Supervision Inspectors. Firefighters inform building owners about the designation of their object as a shelter point. Since September 2026, the physical marking of these locations in public spaces has also been ongoing, which is intended to facilitate their identification for users of the application and passersby.