It is important to be prepared for disturbances and exceptional circumstances
The city of Äänekoski is training to be even more ready to face potential threats. Äänekoski is participating in the LSS22 preparedness exercise, which tests civil protection arrangements, organized by the Regional Administrative Agency of Western and Inner Finland.

The management team of the city of Äänekoski is participating in the regional two-day civil protection preparedness exercise organized by the Regional Administration Office. The leadership exercise concerns large-scale population transfers and preparations are made to protect the civilian population in an imaginary situation during an armed attack or the threat thereof.
During August and September, all 85 municipalities of the Regional Administrative Agency of Western and Inner Finland, ELY centers, dioceses, emergency center, rescue services, police departments, Defense Forces, Border Guard, Customs and hospital districts participate in the population protection preparedness exercise. The preparedness exercise also takes into account the changes brought by the welfare area.
Population protection planning is an essential part of preparing for exceptional circumstances. Preparedness and contingency planning is everyday work in municipalities. The goal is to be ready in case of possible crises and threats. In the event of a disturbance, the role of each actor is important and cooperation between the authorities must work. When practicing, contingency plans also develop.
In Äänekoski, members of the city's management team are participating in the exercise. In the leadership exercise, the population is prepared in an imaginary situation to protect during an armed attack or the threat of it. The preparedness exercise tests the readiness to act in situations where a large amount of the civilian population in Finland would have to be moved within the country. The exercise is carried out as a management exercise, which means that in practice people are not moved.
Population transfers are possible in exceptional circumstances, which come into force with a decision of the Government. The Ministry of the Interior takes care of the overall management of the population transfer, and regionally the population transfer is managed by the regional rescue operation. The central tasks of the municipalities are to care for and accommodate the evacuated population. The authorities are responsible for transport and traffic in cooperation with various operators.
Household preparedness is knowledge, skill and supplies
The city of Äänekoski wants to remind its residents that an important part of all preparedness is also the citizens' own preparation. The importance of household preparedness is a great help to society and, above all, to the person himself. For example, a prolonged power outage can cause a situation where services provided by society are disrupted or even interrupted.
On the website maintained by the Central Organization of the Finnish Rescue Service and the Service Assurance Agency 72tuntia.fi you can find comprehensive information on how it would be good for every household to have a three-day home reserve in case of possible disruptions. On the website, you can also test your household's current readiness to face a disruption situation.
Homes should be prepared to manage independently for at least three days in the event of a disruption. It would be good if you could find food, water and medicine at home for at least three days. Kotivara is not a separate emergency storage, but the products are used all the time.
It is good to note that in the event of a disturbance, the help organized by the authorities is not immediately available when the disturbance begins. Relief measures will start within hours and days, until which time citizens should manage with their own stocks.
It would also be important to know the basics of preparedness, i.e. to know, for example, where to get the right information in the event of a disturbance and how to cope in a cold apartment. Reliable sources of information are e.g. well-known newspapers and TV companies, communication channels of municipalities and communication channels of electricity and water companies. In the event of a large-scale disturbance, the necessary information can also be obtained through others than your own municipality or your own electricity and water company.
Household supplies include clean water containers with lids, food that is easy to prepare and suitable for all family members and pets. In addition, it would be good to have a battery-operated radio and flashlight, batteries, a backup power source for e.g. phone charging, a camping stove, matches, cash, essential medicines, iodine tablets, hygiene and first aid supplies, a hand fire extinguisher or an extinguishing blanket.
The city of Äänekoski also reminds housing associations in the area that shelters must be ready for use within 72 hours. The owner of the building is responsible for the maintenance and renovation of shelters.
For more information:
City manager Matti Tuononen, 040 572 3239, matti.tuononen@aanekoski.fi
Administrative Director Aleksi Heikkilä, 040 823 7921, aleksi.heikkila@aanekoski.fi
News published, modified 23.7.2024 at 12:14