Self-preparedness

Self-preparedness forms a part of civil defence and refers to the preparative measures that individual citizens, businesses, institutions and housing companies can take to prepare themselves for abnormal situations and emergencies. Independent emergency planning involves everyday skills, which can be drilled.

Self-preparedness by individuals

You should be prepared for accidents and abnormal supply of electricity, water and heat. You should store extra food to last you for a week, a battery-operated radio and a flashlight. You should plan how to act in case of an extended break in water supply and how to stay warm if heating is disrupted.

Study your housing company’s rescue plan, and learn how to act correctly, safely and in a preventive manner in emergencies.

Learn and teach your family how to summon help and administer first aid. Practice putting out fires and acting in fire emergencies. Remind yourself of the public warning signal, the actions required by the signal and how to shelter yourself in your home.

The law requires an emergency plan

Housing companies, enterprises and institutions are required by the Rescue Act to be prepared for emergencies and draw up an emergency plan for a building or other site to secure the safety of people. The emergency plan should specify potential emergencies, provide instructions on how to prevent them and name the persons in charge. It should also specify the actions to be taken in emergencies.

The Finnish Government has defined (Government Bill on Rescue) the sites that need an emergency plan. These sites include workplaces that accommodate more than 50 people at a time and residential buildings with more than three dwellings.

The owner or manager of a property is responsible for producing a preparedness plan for the property. The Rescue Department provides information on how to produce a preparedness plan.

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