Alarms and communication

For the arrangement of emergency response centre activities, Finland has been divided into emergency response centre areas. The Emergency Response Centre Administration consists of the Emergency Response Centre Agency, based in Pori, and 15 emergency response centres (ERCs) throughout Finland. The Ministry of the Interior manages and directs the Emergency Response Centre Administration in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

At present, the Finnish emergency response centre system is being reorganised. The separate emergency response centres of the police and the rescue services will be replaced by joint ERCs serving all the authorities involved in rescue services. This reorganisation will be complete for the whole of Finland by 2006, when there will be a total of 15 emergency response centres.

Emergency response centres receive emergency calls and other calls and alert the help required 24 hours a day. Furthermore, emergency response centres provide information services to various authorities and act as communications centres.

The Public Authority Network (VIRVE) is an efficient, full-coverage digital radio network serving security authorities. The network enhances collaboration and communication between the various authorities in all circumstances. Although the network functions as an internal system for each authority, its sophisticated features mean it will improve the authorities' readiness for communication with each other if required.

The most important benefits offered by the Public Authority Network include speed, multi-user capability and the security provided by encryption. High serviceability requirements, both in daily operating conditions and in exceptional circumstances, have been taken into account in the design and construction of the network.

The Public Authority Network serves all the different user groups and improves the operational capabilities of the authorities. The primary users of the network include State and municipal security authorities, such as Finnish rescue, police and social welfare and health authorities, the Frontier Guard, the Customs, and the Finnish Defence Forces. It is planned that more than 100,000 persons will be using the Public Authority Network by 2006.

Radiation monitoring The radiation situation is monitored around the clock

The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority of Finland constantly monitors the radiation situation throughout the country. The aim is to identify radiation hazards quickly and to take efficient measures to protect the population against the harmful health effects of radiation. In addition to the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority of Finland, the Ministry of the Interior, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, and the Finnish Defence Forces participate in radiation monitoring.

The dose rate of external radiation is measured by a monitoring network maintained by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority and local rescue authorities. The network comprises about 300 automatic stations. Measurement data is stored in a national data system, where it is available for several authorities almost in real time. The daily measurement data of 69 automatic stations are displayed on the website of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority.

In Finland, the probability of a serious radiation hazard situation is small. However, since the risk of accidents exists, preparations for such a situation have been made. A serious radiation hazard situation can be caused by a nuclear explosion or an accident at a nuclear power plant. A local radiation hazard situation can be caused by an accident during transport of radioactive materials, for instance.

Even the smallest changes in the radiation situation are reported immediately, and information is provided for the public without delay via radio and television. The automatic network also receives external radiation measurement data from other Nordic countries and from more than twenty stations in the vicinity of the Saint Petersburg nuclear power plant. Information about the imminent danger would be received by Finns long before it would be necessary to take protective measures. There are international agreements on the reporting of radiation and nuclear accidents. Good communication with neighbouring countries has also been ensured.

In the event of a risk of radiation, the general alarm signal will be sounded.

Page modified: 27.6.2006