hätäkeskuksen

Hätäkeskus, often translated as Emergency Response Centre or Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), is a central agency responsible for receiving emergency calls and dispatching appropriate emergency services. In Finland, the Hätäkeskus is a nationwide organization that handles all emergency calls made to the numbers 112. When a person dials 112, the call is routed to the nearest Hätäkeskus operator.

The primary role of the Hätäkeskus is to assess the urgency of the situation and gather essential information from the caller, such as their location, the nature of the emergency, and the number of people involved. Based on this information, the operator then decides which emergency services are needed, which may include the police, ambulance service, or fire department. The Hätäkeskus then alerts and dispatches these services to the scene.

Beyond simply relaying information, Hätäkeskus operators are trained to provide guidance and support to callers during emergencies, especially while waiting for help to arrive. They can offer instructions on first aid or other life-saving measures. The Hätäkeskus operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ensuring that emergency assistance is always available. The service is funded by the Finnish state and aims to provide a swift and effective response to all life-threatening situations.