Jari Korkiamäki of Helsinki City Rescue Department is Fireman of the Year 2025

Head of Unit Jari Korkiamäki from the Helsinki City Rescue Department has been selected as Fireman of the Year 2025.

Korkiamäki’s career in rescue services has spanned more than 40 years, including posts as a firefighter, rescue services manager, chief executive officer of an emergency services department and deputy rescue chief. He has also trained future professionals at the Helsinki Rescue School.

The recognition is based on his long and exceptionally broad experience in the field of rescue services and an active approach to the development of the sector. Korkiamäki has participated in several national working groups and has been involved in developing the rescue command system. He is known as a courageous and collaborative developer, whose extensive networks extend beyond the rescue sector to other authorities.
In recent years, Korkiamäki has carried out invalubale work in setting up regional cooperation and the national situation and command centre for rescue services. He has served as an expert on preparedness and his expertise has been used in security arrangements for heads of state, for example.

‘Korkki’, as Korkiamäki is nicknamed, has recently retired and says he is deeply honoured by the recognition.
"Above all, I see this as a recognition of cooperation. No one can do anything alone, but by working together we can achieve anything," Korkiamäki says.

The Fireman of the Year award has been presented since 1982 by a committee of representatives of rescue organisations.

The Helsinki City Rescue Department would like to offer ‘Korkki’ warm congratulations on the well-deserved recognition!