Minister Mikkonen to travel to Brussels for informal ministerial meeting on CBRN threats
On 30 May 2023, Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen will attend an informal meeting of EU civil preparedness ministers in Brussels on CBRN threats (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear).
Nine out of ten Finns consider civil defence necessary for security
According to the 2023 survey, the attitudes of Finns towards rescue services have remained positive. World events, such as Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, are clearly reflected in how Finns perceive the likelihood that potential risks may materialise. Similarly, Finns see civil defence as more necessary than before.
Finland sends one thousand maternity packages to Ukraine
Russia has destroyed people's homes and healthcare infrastructure in Ukraine. There is a great need for assistance in Ukraine. Since March 2022, Finland has provided Ukraine with necessary civilian material assistance. Most recently, Finland has sent, for example, one thousand maternity packages to Ukraine in February and March 2023.
Finland sent more material assistance to Türkiye and Syria
Over the weekend and on Monday, Finland sent more material assistance to the areas hit by the earthquake in Türkiye. Some of the assistance will be delivered from Türkiye to Syria. There is still a great need for material assistance, such as emergency accommodation and heating, in the region.
Emergency response centre legislation to be updated to comply with EU data protection legislation
The provisions on the processing of personal data in emergency response centre operations will be updated to comply with the EU data protection legislation. The legislative amendments will not affect the right of the Emergency Response Centre Agency’s operators to process personal data needed in their work.
Increases proposed to Ministry of the Interior in technical spending limits
Considerable increases are proposed to appropriations in the administrative branch of the Ministry of the Interior in the technical spending limits presented in the new General Government Fiscal Plan 2024–2027. The appropriation level of the Ministry of the Interior will be c. EUR 2.4 billion at the beginning of the spending limits period, decreasing to c. EUR 1.9 billion in 2027. This represents an increase of EUR 179 to 547 million per year compared to the previous spending limits decision.
Responsibility for smoke detectors to be transferred from the resident to the owner of the building
Several amendments will made to the Rescue Act and the Act on the Emergency Services Academy. For example, the obligation to purchase and maintain smoke detectors in apartments will be transferred from the residents to the owner of the building from the beginning of 2026.
Finland sent solar power system and other energy sector assistance to Ukraine
Finland has been one of the leading providers of assistance to Ukraine's energy sector during the war. On Tuesday 14 March, the latest energy sector assistance, a smart solar power system, was sent from Finland to Ukraine.
Minister Mikkonen to visit Moldova
Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen will visit Moldova on 22–24 February. During the visit, Mikkonen will meet the Moldovan Minister of Internal Affairs Ana Revenco and the Representative of the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR in Moldova, Francesca Bonelli, among others. The topics of discussion in the meetings during the trip include Ukraine’s refugees and civilian crisis management.
Finland sends rescue service vehicles and equipment to Ukraine
Finland will send fire engines, an ambulance, a tanker truck and equipment needed for rescue operations to Ukraine on Friday 17 February. These vehicles and equipment were donated by the Rescue Departments of Central Uusimaa and Pirkanmaa. Assistance will be delivered to Ukraine through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
Pelastustoimi -reliable and efficient
Accident prevention, rescue operations, preparedness and civil defence form a coherent system in Finland that covers all types of incidents from daily accidents to major disasters. In the event of an accident or the threat of one, effective measures are taken to bring people to safety, secure vital functions and limit the impact of the accident.
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