pelastuskalusto

Pelastuskalusto is a Finnish term referring to the equipment and gear used by fire and rescue services to perform emergency response operations. It covers a broad range of apparatus, tools, and consumables designed to protect lives, safeguard property, and mitigate damage during incidents such as fires, traffic accidents, floods, and hazardous materials events. The concept includes both vehicle-mounted equipment and portable tools carried on rescue units, as well as protective clothing and personal equipment worn by responders.

Typical categories of pelastuskalusto include firefighting apparatus and gear (pumps, hoses, nozzles, foam systems, ladders), water and ice rescue equipment (boats or dry suits, personal flotation devices, throwlines), rope and urban search and rescue gear (helmets, harnesses, belay devices, ropes), extrication tools (hydraulic cutters and spreaders), air supply and breathing apparatus (SCBA, spare cylinders), and medical and triage supplies (defibrillators, first-aid kits). Personal protective equipment such as turnout gear, helmets, gloves, and eye protection, as well as support equipment like lighting, power generators, communications gear, and spare parts, are also part of pelastuskalusto. Training and maintenance items ensure readiness and reliability.

In Finland, pelastuskalusto is managed by pelastuslaitokset (regional rescue departments) and municipal authorities, following national and European standards for safety, maintenance, and procurement. Regular inspections, servicing, and replacement cycles are required to ensure equipment performs as intended during emergencies. The term also informs budgeting, asset management, and logistics to enable rapid deployment and effective incident response.