The Chief of Rescue Services Believes in Cooperation and Focused Coordination in Oil Spill Response (SWFES 2/3)

A successful project requires strong support from the management of the project partner organizations. The Chief of Rescue Services Juha Virto from the Southwest Finland Emergency Services is fully on board with the OIL SPILL project.

“I participated in the early project planning as a sparring partner. Currently, I make sure our project activities and exercises have sufficient rescue personnel resources. Another important role for me is to lobby the project in our networks, for example, to the Ministry of the Interior in Finland.”

Virto is also the leader of the upcoming Vellamo Joint Exercise in Turku. He is very satisfied with the fact that Vellamo is a collaboration of more than one project and it allows the training of several procedures at once.

Virto is experienced in both oil spill response operations and networking nationally. He is in charge of oil spill response in SWFES and participates in several national networks and working groups concerning the matter.

“Regional rescue departments have a significant role in preventing accidents but also leading and operating in rescue operations. Preventing or minimizing environmental damages is one of the key objectives in oil spill incidents. It requires smooth cooperation between authorities, NGO’s and other stakeholders.”

The Finnish legislation on oil spill response changed at the beginning of 2019, which affected the roles and responsibilities of regional rescue departments and The Finnish Border Guard. Today, regional rescue departments are responsible for the oil spill response in coastal areas and shallow waters. The Finnish Border Guard is responsible for the oil spill response in open sea areas. However, Virto is participating also in the OILART project led by the Border Guard.

“We work in tight cooperation to make sure we can utilize the oil spill response resources provided by the society. For instance, the oil spill response cooperation plan is operational between seven regional rescue departments and The Border Guard.”

Although the cooperation in oil spill response is functional already, Virto knows that there are advancements to be done.

“Coordination of the resources has improved since the change in legislation in 2019. Yet, I still call for a sharp, shared vision and more focused coordination for the oil spill response in Finland. All the authorities, NGO’s and other stakeholders must have clear and nationally uniform roles in oil spill response in all incidents.”

Making these improvements happen is also the aspect that inspires Virto the most in oil spill response.

Text: Maria Nykyri / Southwest Finland Emergency Services