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International cooperation Finnish rescue services engage in continuous international cooperation with the European Union, the UN, NATO, the Nordic countries and other neighbouring countries alike. The Ministry of the Interior Department for Rescue...

22.9.2026 | The Ministry of the Interior and the Finnish Defence Forces organised blast tests in Lapland to assess Finnish civil defence shelters. The event was attended by experts from the international Civil Protection Shelter Coalition for Ukraine, led by Finland and Ukraine, as well as from other partner countries interested in developing shelters. An eight-member delegation from Ukrainian ministries responsi...

24.7.2026 | Finland has sent material assistance to Ukraine from the EU-funded rescEU emergency stockpile for the sixth time. The shipment from Finland included supplies against chemical, biological and radiological threats as well as personal protective equipment, among other supplies. The total value of the shipment is about EUR 1.7 million.

6.5.2026 | -

19.3.2025 | The Finnish Ministry of the Interior and the Ukrainian Ministry of Strategic Industries signed a joint letter of intent concerning cooperation on civil defence shelters on 19 March 2025 in connection with the meeting between President of the Republic Alexander Stubb and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

8.12.2025 | The Finnish Ministry of the Interior and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) have agreed to deepen cooperation across different sectors. The cooperation emphasises support for Ukraine's international civil defence coalition. 

Rescue operations Rescue operations involve preventing imminent accidents, minimizing the damage and injuries caused by accidents that have occurred, and providing first aid for injuries resulting from them. Rescue Operations in Accidents Rescue s...

18.6.2026 | The interior ministers of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Germany or their representatives have gathered for a meeting of the ministerial group on Baltic Sea Security on 17 and 18 June. The representatives of the countries will discuss drone-related threats in the region and joint measures to respond to these threats. The meeting is chaired by Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

Strategy The work of the rescue services and the ongoing rescue service reform are guided by the Rescue Services Strategy. The vision of the Strategy is ‘A safe and resilient Finland – through cooperation’. National objectives for the functions of...

Ministry of the Interior Department for Civil Protection The Department for Civil Protection directs and oversees rescue services. The Department is led by Kimmo Kohvakka, Director General for Civil Protection. The Ministry of the Interior Departm...

Become a volunteer Volunteer organisations and associations play a very important role in rescue departments’ daily work, helping rescue departments perform their basic tasks and achieve their objectives. Vital societal functions are secured in co...

1.10.2026 | EU home affairs ministers will gather in Luxembourg on 1 October for a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. The topics on the agenda include improving the effectiveness of returns and enhancing cooperation with third countries. The ministers will also discuss migration situational awareness and how to better anticipate changes in migration flows. Finland will be represented at the meeting by Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

Länsi-Uusimaa Rescue Department Strategy Perustehtävämme on parantaa ihmisten turvallisuutta ja vähentää onnettomuuksia. Toimimme ammatillisesti, inhimillisesti, luotettavasti ja yhteistyössä. Values Our values include acting professionally, human...

Helsinki City Rescue Department External rescue plans Rescue departments draw up external rescue plans for objects posing a special danger. Rescue departments are obliged to draw up an external rescue plan for objects posing a special danger as de...

Helsinki City Rescue Department Current issues Helsinki Rescue Departments current issues News and press releases Inter‑agency cooperation at the core of the Rescue Department’s exercise - Helsinki Rescue services, 6.5.2026 15:07 Rescue Exercise i...

Major accident A major accident refers to an accident considered particularly serious because of the number of people who have lost their lives or become injured, the extent of damage to the environment or property, or the nature of the accident. ...

29.6.2026 | Venezuela was hit by two devastating earthquakes on 24 June. Finland is assisting Venezuela by providing emergency shelter assistance through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism.

Rescue services 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. The Ministry of the Interior guides and directs em...

Fire investigation and monitoring of accident trends Fire investigation is a statutory duty of rescue departments. Information gathered during fire investigations helps prevent similar incidents and accidents in the future. Fire investigations als...

Helsinki City Rescue Department Helsinki City Rescue Department works for the safety of the capital, its residents and visitors. Contact us Instructions and forms Services Current issues About us Helsinki Rescue School Work or study with us Histor...