pelastuslaitosta

Pelastuslaitos is a public fire and rescue service in Finland. It operates as a municipal or regional authority responsible for fire protection, rescue operations and emergency preparedness within its area. Pelastuslaitos is commonly formed as a joint municipal authority (kuntayhtymä) or as a municipal agency, and it is led by a pelastusjohtaja (chief of rescue service) with oversight from the member municipalities or a regional council.

The main tasks of pelastuslaitos include fire suppression, rescue operations such as vehicle extrication, water and ice rescue, rope and high‑angle rescues, and responses to hazardous materials incidents and urban search and rescue. In addition to reactive responses, pelastuslaitos conducts preventive work: risk assessments, inspections of buildings and premises to enforce fire safety regulations, public education on fire safety, and the development of regional emergency plans. The services also coordinate disaster preparedness and collaboration with other authorities.

Pelastuslaitos operates in close cooperation with the Finnish Emergency Response Centre (Hätäkeskuslaitos, 112), which handles emergency calls and dispatches resources. It works together with police, health care providers and other authorities during major incidents. In many regions, pelastuslaitokset employ both professional firefighters and volunteers; staffing and equipment vary by region and population density.

Funding and staffing primarily come from municipal budgets, complemented by state subsidies and service charges where applicable. The organizational model and scope have evolved, with several areas consolidating smaller fire departments into larger regional pelastuslaitokset to improve efficiency, coverage, and interoperability. The legal framework for pelastuslaitokset is provided by the Rescue Act and related fire safety legislation, which define duties in prevention, protection of life and property, and disaster preparedness.