Government Programme measures to reform rescue services and emergency response centre operations

The Government aims to ensure high-quality rescue services throughout the country. Rescue services must be of high quality and carried out in a uniform manner to make sure people's safety is not compromised. In order to achieve this goal, there must be a sufficient number of rescuers in Finland. The continuity and attractiveness of contract fire brigade operations must also be safeguarded. Rescue sector education and training is provided at two localities, Kuopio and Helsinki. The sector’s ability to attract and retain employees will also be ensured by developing wellbeing at work and improving occupational safety.

The resilience of society will be developed by improving preparedness for civil defence and promoting individual emergency planning among the population in all population groups. The maintenance and good condition of existing civil defence shelters must be ensured.

The Government’s aim is to prevent incidents and accidents. The objectives include halving the number of fires by 2030. The services of the Emergency Response Centre Agency will continue to play an important role in ensuring that people get the help they need in a timely fashion.

National guidance of rescue services will be strengthened so that all wellbeing services counties can develop equal services in a goal-oriented manner.

Schedule and objectives for measures related to rescue services 

The table presents the Government’s key rescue service projects and information on their schedule and objectives.

Measure	Schedule	Objectives
Increasing student intake and developing the education and training for rescuers	2024−2032	Double the number of available student places for rescuers by 2032. Develop rescuer education and training, for example by examining qualification contents and requirements.
Second phase of the Rescue Act reform	Government proposal in autumn 2025. The aim is for the amendments to enter into force at the start of 2026.	Reform the Rescue Act for parts not reformed in the first phase. The reform will also take into account previous studies on civil defence and preparedness.
Processing of personal data and the right of access to information in rescue services	Government proposal during the 2026 autumn session. The aim is for the amendments to enter into force in 2027.	The reform of the Rescue Act and the comprehensive reform of national data protection legislation are part of the Government Programme.
National project on occupational safety in the rescue sector	The project will run from 1 March 2025 to 31 December 2026.	Improve the rescue sector’s ability to attract and retain employees by developing occupational safety and wellbeing at work in the sector.
Research project on service needs	The report will be published by the end of 2025.	Support the development of the funding criteria for and the national steering of rescue services, among other things.
Instruction for planning the operational capability of rescue services	The updated instruction was published on 26 February 2025.	The instruction guiding the planning and organisation of rescue operations was updated in accordance with the Government Programme.
Launching integrated command and situation centres for rescue authorities	The decrees entered into force on 4 April 2025.	Better identify changes and threats to rescue services, among other things.
Strengthening civil defence	Entire government term	Strengthen civil defence, fpr example, by reforming regulation and developing the organisation of civil defence work.
Individual emergency planning for emergency conditions – Project to prepare instructions – Ministry of the Interior General guide on the activation and use of civil defence shelters General instructions for the maintenance and inspections of civil defence shelters	The guides are due to be completed by the end of 2025.	Support individual emergency planning with guides on emergency plans and on the activation, use and maintenance of civil defence shelters.
Project to develop regional preparedness cooperation and situation awareness activities	The final report is due to be completed by 30 August 2025.	The project will examine the need to develop regional preparedness and situation awareness activities.