Southwest Finland Emergency Services Provides Rescue, Safety and Emergency Care Services Professionally, Equally and Quickly at all Hours (SWFES 1/3)

The OIL SPILL Partner introduction series continues. This week, we introduce Project Partner 3, Southwest Finland Emergency Services.

Southwest Finland Emergency Services (SWFES) is one of the OIL SPILL Partners that co-operated already during the HAZARD project. This partnership evoked the idea to apply for funding for a project that would enhance the collaboration between authorities and volunteers in oil spill response activities.

SWFES provides rescue services to 27 municipalities in the westernmost part of mainland Finland. The operating area of this regional rescue department covers over 20 000 square kilometers from which approximately 50 percent are land areas. There are 22 000 islands in total, and 176 islands and 4 300 inhabitants without road connection, in the operating area. In addition, SWFES provides emergency medical care services in the areas of five joint municipal authorities of health care: Turku, Kaarina, Raisio, Parainen and Naantali. 

SWFES employs almost 600 full-time employees, of whom over 280 are firefighters and approximately 150 are full-time emergency medical care personnel. Basic tasks include rescuing and protecting people, property, animals and the environment, in addition to preventing accidents and promoting a culture of safety. Rescue, safety and emergency care services are provided in Southwest Finland professionally, equally and quickly at all hours.

The division of liabilities regarding oil spill control varies between countries. In Finland, the legislation determines that the Finnish Border Guard is responsible for oil spill response in open sea areas. However, the regional rescue departments are responsible for the oil spill response in coastal areas and shallow waters – also in the freshwater areas.

In OIL SPILL, SWFES is the leader of Work Package 3 and in charge of Joint Exercises and Training Cooperation. The SWFES project team consists of three people. In addition, SWFS has an internal OIL SPILL working group that involves roughly ten people who are responsible or participate in the oil spill response operations in SWFES. This group is responsible for planning the Joint Exercises led by SWFES in OIL SPILL. Also, the personnel of SWFES (e.g. firefighters) will train in some of the exercises.

In 2019, Southwest Finland Emergency Services turned 150; it is the second oldest rescue department in Finland after Helsinki. You may follow SWFES in social media @vspelastus – the historical posts celebrating the 150 anniversary of SWEFS can be found under #vspelastus150. 

Text: Maria Nykyri / Southwest Finland Emergency Services