State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests
The State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia (VUGD) is a government agency under the Minister of Internal Affairs that holds the exclusive national mandate for firefighting, rescue operations, civil protection, and the 112 emergency number. It serves all citizens of Latvia through 91 fire stations across five regional departments, funded by the state budget.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1865
- HeadquartersRīga, Latvia
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests does
The State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia (Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests, VUGD) is a government administrative institution under the supervision of the Minister of Internal Affairs, established in 1864/1865, that holds the exclusive national mandate for firefighting, rescue operations, civil protection, and operation of the unified 112 emergency number across Latvia. The organization serves the entire population of Latvia across 64,589 km² through a network of 91 fire stations organized into five regional departments (Riga, Latgale, Kurzeme, Vidzeme, Zemgale). Service to the public is free of charge and funded through state budget allocations, with supplemental capital from EU instruments including the European Regional Development Fund, Internal Security Fund, Civil Protection Financial Instrument, and the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
The service's core technology stack centers on an emergency response coordination system and the 112 single emergency call number infrastructure. Digital public-facing products include the 112 Latvija mobile application (available on iOS and Android, supporting quick calls, SMS, safety tips, and news) and the 112.lv web portal for emergency guidance. The organization is currently implementing the Unified Civil Protection and Fire Safety Management Platform (Vienotā civilās aizsardzības un ugunsdrošības pārvaldības platforma) and has deployed the ABS+ Public Warning System for citizen alerting. A Fire Fighting Testing Laboratory operates under the service's training arm. The wholly-owned Fire Safety and Civil Protection College provides vocational training with a Tactical House for practical exercises, and the Latvian Firefighting Museum (Hanzas iela 5, Riga) preserves institutional history.
VUGD's customer base is structurally the entire Latvian population, with the Latvian state as the sole funding counterparty. The organization also engages in cross-border cooperation through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, CTIF, FEU, and Interreg programs (Latvia-Lithuania, Latvia-Estonia, Baltic Sea Region). It operates 24/7 dispatch, search and rescue (including water rescue and underwater search), hazardous chemical incident response, structural collapse response, and traffic accident response. Chief Mārtiņš Baltmanis has led the service since April 1, 2023. The 160th anniversary of firefighting in Latvia was marked in May 2025 with seven award events.
State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests
- Legal name
- Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests
- Website
- https://vugd.gov.lv
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1865
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia (VUGD) is a government agency under the Minister of Internal Affairs that holds the exclusive national mandate for firefighting, rescue operations, civil protection, and the 112 emergency number. It serves all citizens of Latvia through 91 fire stations across five regional departments, funded by the state budget.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Emergency Services
- NAICS
- Fire Protection (92216)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Emergency Response Team (ERT) Staffing & Incident Management Support (BPABANAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Facility Emergency Response Plans (ERP) & Integrated Contingency Plans (ICP) (EUAHALAB)
Keywords
Where State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rīga
- HQ country
- Latvia
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- State Budget Funding: Government-funded service operating under the supervision of the Minister of Internal Affairs. Receives annual state budget allocations for operations, equipment, personnel, and infrastructure.
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels10 records
State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests product offering
Product offeringCore offering
VUGD provides national firefighting, rescue operations, civil protection, and fire safety supervision services across Latvia, operating the single European emergency number 112 and coordinating emergency response through 91 fire stations across 5 regional departments. The service also operates the Fire Safety and Civil Protection College for training and the Latvian Firefighting Museum for historical preservation.
Product overview
The State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia operates a comprehensive emergency response system centered on the single European emergency number 112. The core digital offerings include the '112 Latvija' mobile application and the 112.lv web portal for public safety information, supported by the main institutional website vugd.gov.lv. The service operates the Fire Safety and Civil Protection College for professional training and the Latvian Firefighting Museum for historical preservation. The organization provides firefighting, rescue operations, civil protection, and emergency coordination services across all of Latvia through territorial structural units including fire stations and regional departments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- 112 Latvija: Mobile application for emergency calls and safety information
Products and services
- 112 Latvija Mobile Application Mobile application enabling citizens to call the single emergency number 112, send SMS to 112, and access safety tips and current news from VUGD. Available free of charge to the public.
- 112 Emergency Call Center Dispatcher Services Emergency call center operations handling the single emergency number 112 throughout Latvia, coordinated through regional divisions and the Unitary Contact Centre Department. Available 24/7 to all citizens free of charge.
- Fire Safety and Civil Protection College (Ugunsdrošības un civilās aizsardzības koledža) Vocational education institution under VUGD providing professional training for firefighters and civil protection specialists, featuring a Tactical House (Taktiskā māja) for practical skills development. Operates Fire Fighting and Rescue Work Department, Education Coordination Division, Practical Exercise Division, Fire Fighting Testing Laboratory, and Provision Section.
- Latvian Firefighting Museum (Latvijas Ugunsdzēsības muzejs) Museum operated by VUGD preserving and presenting the history of firefighting in Latvia, including collection holdings and educational programming. Open to the public at Hanzas iela 5, Riga, LV-1045.
- Fire Safety Supervision and Inspection Services Statutory fire safety supervision including fire extinguisher maintenance point oversight, fire safety inspections, fire safety rule requirements, fire safety education programmes, and regulatory enforcement conducted across Latvia.
- Firefighting and Rescue Operations Firefighting and rescue operations including fire suppression, inland water rescue, underwater search operations, hazardous chemical incident response, structural collapse and building damage response, and traffic accident consequence elimination. Delivered free of charge to citizens through 91 fire stations across 5 regional departments.
- Civil Protection and Public Warning Services Civil protection services including off-site civil protection plans, municipality and state civil protection plans, shelters, cell broadcast system, the Public Warning System ABS+, and recommendations for state and municipal institutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Serves entire territory of Latvia (64,589 km2)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- European Union Civil Protection MechanismcoreParticipation in EU Civil Protection Mechanism enabling cross-border cooperation, mutual assistance in emergencies, and access to EU funding for civil protection projects. VUGD serves as the national contact point for this mechanism.
- International Association of Fire and Rescue Services (CTIF)coreInternational organization for fire and rescue services facilitating international cooperation, best practice exchange, and professional development among member countries.
- Federation of European Fire Officers (FEU)coreOrganization bringing together fire service officers from across Europe to promote cooperation, share expertise, and advance fire safety standards in Europe.
- Interreg Latvija-Lietuva ProgrammajorCross-border cooperation program between Latvia and Lithuania. VUGD has participated in multiple phases (2007-2013, 2014-2020) implementing joint projects for fire safety and civil protection improvement.
- Interreg Latvija-Igaunija ProgrammajorCross-border cooperation program between Latvia and Estonia supporting joint initiatives in civil protection and emergency response.
- Baltic Sea Region ProgramminorEU funding program supporting transnational cooperation in the Baltic Sea region including civil protection and emergency management projects.
- European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) Cross-border Cooperation ProgramminorEU program supporting cross-border cooperation with neighboring countries in civil protection and emergency management.
- Fire Safety and Civil Protection CollegecoreEducational institution under VUGD's authority providing professional training for firefighters and civil protection specialists. Trains personnel for firefighting and rescue operations.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB): Swedish agency responsible for civil protection, public safety, and emergency management. Peer in Nordic emergency response framework with shared EU Civil Protection Mechanism participation and similar organizational structure.
- Fire and Rescue Department under the Ministry of the Interior of Lithuania (PAGD): Lithuania's national fire and rescue service operating under the Ministry of the Interior. Direct Baltic counterpart sharing fire safety supervision, rescue operations, civil protection, and active cooperation via Interreg Latvia-Lithuania programs.
- Finnish Emergency Services (Pelastuslaitos / Ministry of the Interior): Finland's regional fire and rescue services coordinated nationally. Comparable Nordic-Baltic public safety mandate with 112 integration, civil preparedness, and participation in EU civil protection mechanisms alongside Latvia.
- Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB): Norway's civil protection and emergency planning directorate. Comparable Nordic public safety body with shared EU/Nordic civil protection cooperation framework relevant to VUGD's international partnerships.
- Danish Emergency Management Agency (Beredskabsstyrelsen): Denmark's national civil protection and emergency response agency under the Ministry of Defence. Comparable Northern European peer operating fire, rescue, and civil protection with EU cooperation overlap.
- Estonian Rescue Board (Päästeamet): National fire, rescue, and civil protection authority of Estonia under the Ministry of the Interior. Direct Baltic peer with similar mandate, 112 emergency operations, cross-border cooperation via the Interreg Latvia-Estonia program, and comparable scale (Estonia population ~1.4M).
- State Fire Service of Poland (Państwowa Straż Pożarna): Poland's national professional fire service under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Larger-scale but structurally analogous agency handling firefighting, rescue, and civil protection across national territory.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests social profiles
Digital presenceState Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests
What does State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests do?
VUGD provides national firefighting, rescue operations, civil protection, and fire safety supervision services across Latvia, operating the single European emergency number 112 and coordinating emergency response through 91 fire stations across 5 regional departments. The service also operates the Fire Safety and Civil Protection College for training and the Latvian Firefighting Museum for historical preservation.
Is State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests a public or private company?
State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests founded?
State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests was founded in 1865. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests based?
State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests is headquartered in Rīga, Latvia, in the Europe region.
How does State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests make money?
One revenue line is on record: state Budget Funding.
Who are State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), Fire and Rescue Department under the Ministry of the Interior of Lithuania (PAGD), Finnish Emergency Services (Pelastuslaitos / Ministry of the Interior), Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB), Danish Emergency Management Agency (Beredskabsstyrelsen), Estonian Rescue Board (Päästeamet) and State Fire Service of Poland (Państwowa Straż Pożarna).
Does State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests have an API?
No public API is recorded for State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests.
What industry is State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests in?
State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia / Valsts ugunsdzēsības un glābšanas dienests's product category is Emergency Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPABANAD, Emergency Response Team (ERT) Staffing & Incident Management Support, with a secondary code of EUAHALAB, Facility Emergency Response Plans (ERP) & Integrated Contingency Plans (ICP). Its NAICS code is 92216.