Proposal for amending the Rescue Act and the Act on the Emergency Services Academy sent out for comments

The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a draft proposal for amending the Rescue Act and the Act on the Emergency Services Academy. Comments on the draft will be accepted until 20 May 2022.

Command and management of rescue operations and cooperation at regional and national level

It is proposed that provisions on the command and management of rescue operations in collaborative areas, provision of assistance and national management and planning be added to the Rescue Act.

It is proposed that the powers of each officer in charge of rescue operations be amended so that they could be deployed already before an accident or incident if there is an obvious risk of an accident or incident. It is also proposed that the situation awareness activities of the rescue services and the related rights of access to information be specified.

Fire safety and other matters

Amendments are proposed to the Rescue Act concerning the obligation to purchase and maintain smoke detectors in apartments. In addition, it is proposed that the regulation on the supervisory duties of rescue departments be specified.

The proposal would also add provisions on an advisory board for civil emergency preparedness to the Act. 

Utilisation of professional qualifications obtained in another EU or EEA Member State

It is proposed that the Act on the Emergency Services Academy be amended so that the Academy could decide on the recognition in Finland of professional qualifications obtained in another EU or EEA Member State. The recognised professional qualifications would allow a person to work either in a position of full-time fire fighters, fire sub-officers and fire officers, or as a chimney sweep or emergency response centre operator. 

The proposed amendments would enter into force in early 2024. 

Inquiries:
Ilpo Helismaa, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 488 422, ilpo.helismaa@govsec.fi