News and bulletins
Emergencies and problem situations abroad – This is what you should do
Only approximately half of Finns know that the emergency number 112 works in all EU countries. When you call 112 in an EU member state, the call is always routed to a local emergency response centre.
Social emergencies require time
The Emergency Response Centre Agency also forwards tasks to social and crisis emergency services. In 2024, the number of these tasks increased by 4 percentage points compared to the previous year, overtaking the number of tasks forwarded to rescue services.
Fourteen-Year-Old’s Actions Prevented Greater Damage
Juho Karkiainen’s response to observing smoke and his courage to make an emergency call enabled the containment of a wildfire at an early stage. Thanks to Juho, the emergency response center was able to issue a rapid alert and relay crucial additional information to the rescue services.
Bullying Can Be a Crime – Recognizing Emergencies Is Crucial
It’s important to talk with children and young people about the importance of making an emergency call. For example, physical violence is always a crime, even if it’s referred to as school bullying. An ongoing violent situation is always a reason to call the emergency number 112.
Speed of action and location information are crucial in water rescues
In recent weeks, there has been a significantly higher number of drownings and serious near-miss incidents at public beaches than usual. Recognizing the situation and calling for help quickly is critical when someone ends up in the water. A drowning person is rarely able to call for help, which highlights the importance of others in noticing the emergency.
Knowing your location can save your life
When it comes to emergency calls, the most important thing in terms of getting help is to know where you are so that help can reach you as quickly as possible. Technology and especially the 112 Suomi app are good tools for determining your location.
Emergency response centres preparing for the school closing weekend
The coming weekend will see young people deservedly celebrate the end of the school year and the start of the summer holiday. For the emergency line, the school closing weekend is usually busier than a normal summer weekend.
Finnish Emergency Response Centre operations attracting international interest
Each year, the unique Finnish model for producing ERC services attracts international guests to visit Finland in order to monitor daily operations at emergency response centres. Visitors want to emulate the model, which is cost efficient and makes it possible to dispatch help quickly.
Director General Taito Vainio: our reliability will be maintained in all circumstances
Taito Vainio started his second five-year term as the Director General of the Emergency Response Centre Agency in early March. In the coming years, his work will be characterised by the challenges arising from the changes in the operating environment.
Task prioritisation makes it possible to provide help in acute emergencies
The Emergency Response Centre Agency’s guidelines for handling prehospital emergency care tasks were revised at the end of November 2023. The change is reflected in the number of tasks assigned to prehospital emergency care and in their priority distribution.