The past two weeks became a real test for Kunda Südamekodu. The power outage was caused by a damaged remote power cable, the exact fault location of which proved difficult to identify, and restoring electricity took much longer than expected. As a result, Kunda Südamekodu had to cope with a situation where the building was without electricity for a full two weeks.

Although the situation was difficult, this experience clearly confirmed how important it is to prepare consciously for crises. At Südamekodud, crisis plans have been created specifically to ensure residents’ safety, daily care and home-like living arrangements even in unexpected situations.

The crisis plan prepared some time ago at Kunda Südamekodu was now implemented in practice for the first time. All key activities had been thought through in advance, and employees had clearly defined roles and responsibilities during the crisis. Thanks to this, the team was able to work together to ensure that residents’ daily lives were disrupted as little as possible.

The most important goal was for residents to continue feeling safe, cared for and at home. The entire team worked towards this every day with great dedication. It is also telling that many residents did not even realise how difficult the situation in the building actually was.

Preparation for the crisis included several practical solutions already before the power outage occurred. Solar panels and a battery bank installed at the building helped ensure essential energy needs, and readiness had also been created for connecting an electricity generator. In the first stage, Viru-Nigula municipality quickly came to help by delivering a generator until the group-wide Südamekodud generator arrived.

Consideration had also been given to how to ensure warm meals for residents in a situation without electricity. Gas stoves were immediately put into use, and catering continued without interruption.

The experience of Kunda Südamekodu clearly demonstrated that even with the most thorough planning, crises bring new situations and small details that cannot always be anticipated beforehand. All lessons learned will help Südamekodud further improve preparedness and be even better prepared for similar situations in the future.

Südamekodud sincerely thank everyone who provided help and support during the crisis:

• Viru-Nigula municipality and Administrative Manager Alari Kirt for quickly delivering the generator and providing оперативная помощь
• Kunda Braff OÜ and Aleksei Frolov for support, advice and quick response in identifying the problem
• A.V.R Elekter for quick diagnostics and assistance
• Leonhard Weiss for locating the damaged cable
• Virtel Grupp OÜ for cable replacement and connection works
• Family members of employees who provided daily assistance and great support throughout the crisis

The greatest thanks, however, go to the employees of Kunda Südamekodu, whose calmness, care, quick action and dedication once again showed what it truly means to do one’s work with heart.