Emergency warning
The authorities have many ways to warn people. The most important method is an emergency warning, which is always issued as the public warning signal goes off.
Emergency warnings alert the public
An emergency warning may be issued to warn the public if
- there is a threat to life or health or the environment,
- property is at risk of destruction or significant damage.
If necessary, the emergency warning gives instructions on how you can protect yourself from a dangerous incident or its consequences and how you can avoid hazardous situations. This way, an emergency warning also supports citizens’ self-preparedness.
An emergency warning may be issued by the following authorities:
- Rescue authorities
- Police
- Border Guard authorities
- Emergency Response Centre Administration
- Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority
- Finnish Meteorological Institute
- Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency
- Finnish Transport and Communications Agency
- Finnish Food Authority
- National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira)
- Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea)
- All ministries
- Municipal health protection authorities
- State Department of Åland
The authorities most important method to warn peolple is an emergency warning, which is always issued as the public warning signal goes off. The emergency warning is read out on the radio and displayed on teletext page 112 and, if necessary, on television as running text at top of the screen. The emergency warning is also published through the 112 Suomi mobile app, the Yle application and on the pelastustoimi.fi and 112.fi sites.
Download 112 Suomi application
Downloading the 112 Suomi application on your smartphone is highly recommended. In addition to the emergency warninig, the application also receives other regional bulletins. The application contains the contact information of various operators offering assistance and there is also other necessary and important safety information. Calling the emergency number through the application enables the emergency response centre to automatically locate the caller, which makes it easier for the assistance to reach its destination. More information about the 112 Suomi mobile application.
Do not believe everything you read on the social media and check the source of the information you find there.
Informing the public about incidents that affect emergency communications
According to a recommendation issued by the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority, telecommunications companies should inform the public of any incidents that affect the communications network as well as network and telecommunications services that are important for emergency calls. In major unexpected incidents, the Emergency Response Centre may give an emergency warning to tell the public that emergency communications have been blocked.
Frequently asked questions – emergency warnings
The authorities use emergency warnings to warn the public about dangerous incidents. The warnings describe what has happened and, if necessary, give instructions on what to do in the situation. It is important to follow the instructions given by the authorities.
The authority issuing the emergency warning decides its content, and the Emergency Response Centre Agency transmits it to various channels.
Public authorities may issue an emergency warning if there is a threat to life, health or significant property. An emergency warning may be issued for a specific area or the entire country.
There is always some delay in warnings, as the authorities must first assess the situation. Emergency warnings give the most important instructions first. The authorities may provide more detailed advice and information later.
It is important to follow the instructions given by the authorities.
Emergency warnings may be issued by several authorities, such as rescue authorities, the police, the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, the Finnish Meteorological Institute and other competent authorities, depending on the situation.
Emergency warnings are published in the 112 Suomi app, on the radio, on teletext page 112 and, if needed, on television. Authorities also use other channels such as the Finnish Broadcasting Company’s Yle app, the websites 112.fi, pelastustoimi.fi and yle.fi, and the Emergency Response Centre Agency’s Facebook page.
The authorities can also warn the public by using a public warning siren to sound a public warning signal.
The 112 Suomi application is a mobile application provided by the Emergency Response Centre Agency. It sends you emergency warnings on your smartphone based on your location data. In an emergency, you can also call the emergency number through the application. In this case, your location is shared with the emergency response centre automatically, so you can get help quickly. The application also includes helpline numbers for non-urgent help. Download the mobile application to your smartphone from the app store and ensure that it has permission to use all features.
Read more: 112 Suomi application on the Emergency Response Centre Agency's website (in Finnish)
Download the 112 Suomi app to your smartphone from the app store and ensure that it has permission to use all features. Always install the latest version of the app. Open the application regularly and read the instructions available there. If you do not use apps on your phone regularly, they will go offline. In that case you will not receive emergency warnings through the app. If the application does not work, make sure that you have allowed the app to use the phone’s location data at all times, not just when it is in use.
Read more: Instructions on how to use the 112 Suomi application on the Emergency Response Centre Agency's website (in Finnish)
Authorities will issue an all-clear message on the same channels as the emergency warning.
Emergency warnings are published in the 112 Suomi app, on the radio, on teletext page 112 and, if needed, on television. Authorities also use other channels such as the Finnish Broadcasting Company’s Yle app, the websites 112.fi, pelastustoimi.fi and yle.fi, and the Emergency Response Centre Agency’s Facebook page.
If the authorities have used a siren to sound a public warning signal, they will give an all-clear signal that is a continuous sound lasting one minute after the danger has passed.
In Finland, authorities can warn the public in several ways. Emergency warnings are published through many channels, including the media, websites and social media. If needed, public warning sirens may also be used. Finland therefore has a multi-channel system to warn the public.
However, the emergency warning systems need to be further developed as the security environment and technology evolve. Lessons from Ukraine are also used to improve preparedness.
Finland is also developing a Cell Broadcast warning system to target emergency warnings more efficiently to specific geographical areas. The system will not require a separate application. Messages will be sent directly to mobile phones within the target area. The new system will complement the current emergency warning system, rather than replace it.
Finland uses the 112 Suomi application, which provides emergency warnings. A feature is currently being developed for the application to improve warnings about airborne threats. At present, emergency warnings are issued across different channels to inform the public about such threats.
Read more: Finland develops the emergency warning system (in Finnish)
A public warning siren is a sound-based warning device used by rescue authorities to give a public warning signal. Public warning sirens are primarily intended to warn people who are outdoors. When you hear the public warning signal, move indoors and follow the instructions of the authorities.
Public warning sirens are tested at 12.00 noon on the first Monday of each month, except on public holidays. The test signal is a continuous sound that lasts for seven seconds.
Public warning sirens are primarily located in areas with the highest number of people. The public warning system does not cover all areas. The warning sirens are mainly intended to warn people who are outdoors, and the sound may not be loud enough to be heard indoors. The terrain, the built environment and the weather also affect the audibility of the sirens.
A public warning signal is a one-minute rising and falling sound heard outdoors. It warns people about imminent danger. The signal is always given with an emergency warning. When you hear the signal, go indoors. It is important to follow the instructions of the authorities.
When the danger has passed, the public warning siren gives a continuous all-clear signal lasting one minute.
A public warning signal is given when the authorities need to warn people outdoors about smoke, gas or other danger. The signal means you should go indoors and wait for more instructions.
A typical dangerous situation would be a chemical accident in the nearby area where toxic chemicals are released. In such cases, people need to seek shelter indoors and shut down ventilation.
If you hear a public warning signal, go indoors immediately. Follow the authorities' communication channels and instructions. Emergency warnings are published in the 112 Suomi app, on the radio, on teletext page 112 and, if needed, on television. Authorities also use other channels such as the Finnish Broadcasting Company’s Yle app, the websites 112.fi, pelastustoimi.fi and yle.fi, and the Emergency Response Centre Agency’s Facebook page.
If there is toxic gas or smoke outdoors, follow the authorities’ instructions to close ventilation. In case of an airborne threat, stay in the middle of the building, in a room with solid walls, and keep away from windows. Stay inside until you receive further instructions.
If you are unable to get inside, find a place that is as safe as possible.
Read more:
Drone threat
Emergency signal
Most recent emergency warnings, YLE, in Finnish
Guide to emergency warnings, in Finnish
Rescue Act, in Finnish
