Emergency Preparedness in Finland
Finland is often described as the best-prepared country in Europe. It never dismantled its civil defence, it keeps shelters for most of its urban population, and its "72 hours" concept is the model for the recommendation the European Union adopted in 2025. This page explains the system in English for residents, students, workers and visitors.
Emergency numbers
- 112 All emergencies: police, ambulance, fire and rescue, and social services
- 116 117 Medical helpline for urgent but not life-threatening health problems
How you will be warned
The general alarm signal
- The public warning signal is a rising and falling tone that lasts one minute, sounded from outdoor sirens.
- It is always followed by an emergency warning on the radio, and on television if necessary.
When you hear it
- Go indoors, to the nearest indoor space, and stay there.
- Close doors, windows and vents. Turn off mechanical ventilation if you can.
- Turn on the radio and wait for instructions.
- Avoid phone calls, so that the lines stay free.
- Do not leave the area until the authorities say it is safe.
- Take iodine tablets only if the authorities tell you to.
The 112 Suomi app and emergency warnings
- Emergency warnings are broadcast on radio and television and sent through the 112 Suomi mobile app.
- Install the app and allow it to use your location. It also sends your position to the emergency centre when you call 112 through it.
Tests
- The sirens are tested at about 12:00 on the first Monday of each month that is not a public holiday. The test is a steady 7-second tone. No action is needed.
What the authorities ask you to have at home
The 72 hours concept, run by the Finnish National Rescue Association (SPEK) with the Ministry of the Interior, the Finnish Red Cross and other partners, asks every household to be able to cope on its own for at least three days:
- Food for at least three days for the whole household
- Drinking water, and clean containers or buckets with lids to collect and store water
- Medicines for at least three days
- A way to keep warm and to get reliable information if the power is out
- Knowing where to find official information during a disruption
In 2024 the government also published a broader guide, "Preparing for incidents and crises", on the Suomi.fi service, in English.
Work out the amounts for your household with our kit calculator and see the 72-hour kit on a budget.
Shelters
- Finland has civil defence shelters in most larger residential and public buildings, usually in the basement.
- They are marked with a blue triangle on an orange background.
- Shelters are for exceptional circumstances such as war. Authorities tell the population when to go to them. In most emergencies, the instruction is to shelter indoors where you are.
- See our article Helsinki's underground city.
Main risks to prepare for
- Power outages and losing heat in winter
- Storms and winter weather and floods
- Water supply disruptions
- Cyberattacks and payment failures
- Nuclear incidents
- Hybrid threats and armed conflict
Words you will see and hear
- Yleinen vaaramerkki: general alarm signal
- Vaaratiedote: emergency warning
- Väestönsuoja (VSS): civil defence shelter
- Kotivara: home emergency supply
- 72 tuntia: 72 hours
- Hätänumero: emergency number
- Sähkökatko: power outage
- Pelastuslaitos: rescue department
Finland is bilingual. Official information is also published in Swedish, and much of it in English.
Official information
- 72 hours: home preparedness, in English
- Suomi.fi: Preparing for incidents and crises
- Emergency Response Centre Agency and the 112 Suomi app
- Finnish Rescue Services
- Finnish Meteorological Institute: warnings
See emergency preparedness in other European countries.
Sources
- 72tuntia.fi: the 72 hours concept
- 72tuntia.fi: Sheltering indoors
- Suomi.fi: Alerting the public
- Finland Today: public warning sirens tested at noon on Monday
Independent educational summary, not an official publication. Always follow instructions from Finnish authorities. Last reviewed: November 2026.