Emergency warning
The authorities have many ways to warn the public. Their most important method is issuing an emergency warning. The authorities can also warn people by using a public warning siren to sound a public warning signal.
Emergency warnings alert the public
Authorities may issue an emergency warning if there is a threat to life, health or significant property. Emergency warnings are issued in situations where the population in the affected area urgently needs information and immediate instructions for their own safety.
For example, an emergency warning can be issued in case of gas or radiation hazards. A typical example of a situation like this would be toxic smoke spreading from a nearby fire. Other situations in which an emergency warning can be issued include exceptionally strong storms or other dangerous weather, a dangerous person or animal and an immediate health hazard, such as contaminated water. An emergency warning may also be issued in case of a drone threat.
Emergency warnings can be issued by: rescue authorities, police departments, border guard authorities, the Emergency Response Centre Agency, the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom), the Finnish Food Authority, the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira), the Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea), all of the ministries, the municipal health protection authorities and the State Department of Åland.
The authorities publish emergency warnings in the 112 Suomi app, on the radio, on teletext page 112 and, if needed, on television. They also use other channels such as the Finnish Broadcasting Company’s Yle app, the 112.fi, pelastustoimi.fi and yle.fi websites, and the Emergency Response Centre Agency’s Facebook page. Emergency warnings are often also published in the news media.
The authorities can also warn people by using a public warning siren to sound a public warning signal. A public warning signal is used to warn people who are outdoors of a hazard and advise them to take shelter indoors. When this happens, it is important to follow information and instructions about the emergency provided by the authorities.
Download and update the 112 Suomi app
Make sure the 112 Suomi mobile application is installed on your phone and on the phones of your family and friends. When making an emergency call, the app will automatically share your location with the emergency response centre. The app will also send emergency warnings and official notifications to your phone based on your location. The Services menu has phone helpline numbers, instructions for emergencies and problems and the location of the nearest defibrillator.
You can change the notifications settings in the Settings menu. To ensure that you receive emergency warnings when in a danger area, give permission for the app to use all the data is requests. Also give it permission to use your location data. This way the app will consume less battery. Update or open the app regularly to keep it active.
More information about the 112 Suomi mobile application.
Do not to believe everything you read on social media and check the source of information.
Multichannel approach to warnings under development
A more multichannel approach to warning the public is being developed. It will also be possible to use new warning channels in case of airborne threats. A Cell Broadcast warning system is being developed. The system will enable the transmission of rapid, prompt and geographically targeted emergency warnings to devices across all mobile operators in the affected area, in other words to cell phones. In addition, a new feature is being developed for the 112 Suomi app, which is meant specifically to improve warnings of airborne threats.
Informing the public about incidents that affect emergency communications
According to a recommendation issued by the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA), 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 disruptions, the emergency response centre may issue an emergency warning to inform the public that emergency communications are unavailable.
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)
It may be dangerous to move outdoors in the affected area. For this reason, it is important that you avoid going outside. If you are on public transport, you can leave the vehicle and move indoors, for example at the next stop or station. Wait until the authorities have issued the all-clear before continuing your journey.
The transport operator must make sure the driver knows what to do in the situation. Check with your employer in advance what to do in an emergency.
When the authorities issue an emergency warning, the danger is real. For this reason, it is important that you avoid going outside and go indoors. Wait until the authorities have issued the all-clear. Emergency warnings are in force only as long as necessary. You can return to normal activities once the authorities confirm that the danger has passed.
During a drone threat, the authorities advise people to go indoors because moving outdoors may not be safe. Explosives may cause blasts and flying fragments, so sheltering inside a building is essential. Take shelter in the building you are in, or in a nearby public building.
Civil defence shelters are often used for storage or as recreational or social spaces. Apartment buildings may use them for residents’ storage, workplaces may use them for staff facilities or storage, and service providers may use them for customers, for example as gyms or car parks. As a result, there may be very little space available for sheltering. Civil defence shelters are activated by order of the authorities and must then be prepared.
The shelter’s owner or holder may choose to use the shelter for protecting people even if it has not been made ready. However, the space may be cramped due to stored items such as bicycles or residents’ belongings, and the shelter’s equipment may not be available.
If there is a drone threat, only people who have the right to use the building may go to its civil defence shelter. Others need permission from the building owner or holder. The authorities give the order to activate civil defence shelters.
Civil defence shelters are designed for wartime use. Finland is not facing an immediate military threat. Shelters are not activated suddenly. The rescue authorities will give the order to make them ready for sheltering. Civil defence shelters must be maintained so that they can be made ready within 72 hours. To ensure this, the building’s emergency plan must include a plan for activating and using the shelter.
During a drone threat, the authorities advise people to go indoors because moving outdoors may not be safe. Explosives may cause blasts and flying fragments, so sheltering inside a building is essential. Take shelter in the building you are in, or in a nearby public building.
According to the authorities, there is no need to prepare a civil defence shelter in advance. However, the building’s emergency plan must include a plan for activating and using the shelter, and the shelter must be properly maintained at all times.
The owner or holder may prepare the shelter for use without an order from the authorities. In practice, this usually means emptying the shelter. This may involve removing other people’s property or disrupting their activities or rights, as the space may be used for storage or rented for other purposes. For this reason, the owner must first check, for example, that they can interrupt the tenant’s use of the premises or move property stored in the shelter, and activate the shelter without disrupting other activities.
During a drone threat, the authorities advise people to go indoors because moving outdoors may not be safe. Explosives may cause blasts and flying fragments, so sheltering inside a building is essential. Take shelter in the building you are in, or in a nearby public building.
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.
An official notification can be used to issue important information to the public, for example, on an incident or potentially dangerous situation. Official notifications are primarily used to inform the public about incidents or to provide information in advance on potential hazards. The notification may also include proactive instructions meant to increase the population's awareness of the situation and improve safety.
Read more:
Drone threat
Emergency signal
Most recent emergency warnings, YLE, in Finnish
Guide to emergency warnings, in Finnish
Rescue Act, in Finnish
