Valmiushallinta

Valmiushallinta is a Finnish term referring to the organized management of societal preparedness for emergencies and disruptive events. It encompasses planning, coordination, resource management and decision-making aimed at ensuring that essential functions and services continue during and after crises. The concept covers a wide range of threats, including natural disasters, major accidents, pandemics, cyber incidents and other security challenges.

Key elements of valmiushallinta include risk and vulnerability assessment, continuity and contingency planning, maintenance of critical infrastructure, stockpiling of essential supplies, information and communication systems, training and exercises, and procedures for rapid mobilization of personnel and material. Effective valmiushallinta relies on clear command structures, situational awareness tools and mechanisms for allocating scarce resources under pressure.

Actors involved range from national and local government authorities to emergency services, healthcare providers, municipalities, private companies, non-governmental organizations and individual citizens. Coordination across sectors and levels of governance is central, as is cooperation with international partners and participation in broader regional frameworks.

In recent years valmiushallinta has adapted to evolving risks such as climate change impacts, complex supply-chain dependencies and cyber and hybrid threats. The field integrates technical, logistical, legal and social dimensions and is sustained through regular exercises, legal frameworks, funding arrangements and continuous evaluation to maintain resilience and improve response and recovery capabilities.