Hätäkeskuslaitos

Hätäkeskuslaitos, meaning Emergency Response Centre Agency, is a Finnish government agency under the Ministry of the Interior. It is responsible for the national emergency response system and the operation of the 112 emergency number. The agency acts as the central dispatcher for emergencies and coordinates responses from police, rescue services, and health care, as well as other authorities when needed. Calls to 112 are routed to the nearest regional emergency response center, which assesses the situation and mobilizes appropriate resources. Hätäkeskuslaitos maintains operational readiness, supports regional centers with guidelines and standardized procedures, and monitors service quality, performance data, and the communications networks used for dispatch.

The organization collaborates with local authorities, rescue services, the police, health care providers, and social and health services to ensure rapid and coordinated responses. It also engages in international cooperation on emergency communications and participates in European and Nordic governance on 112 and incident management. The agency operates under Finnish law and is subject to oversight by the government and Parliament, with reporting requirements on service levels, system development, and budget.

In the event of major incidents or disasters, Hätäkeskuslaitos coordinates multi-agency response planning and information sharing, supports resource allocation, and may organize crisis management arrangements. The 112 framework and the Hätäkeskuslaitos system are central to Finland’s approach to emergency preparedness and public safety.