Emergency bulletins, alarm signals and pre-emptive warnings

The authorities issue emergency bulletins to the population when people are in immediate danger. An emergency bulletin explains what has happened and gives instructions on how to protect yourself. The content of an emergency bulletin is always decided by the issuing authority and is transmitted by the Emergency Rescue Centre.

Emergency bulletins

• are read as regional bulletins on the radio and displayed on teletext page 112
• may also be displayed on live TV, if the issuing authority decides to do so
• are published online at 112.fi and pelastustoimi.fi and on the Emergency Rescue Centre’s social media channels.

You can receive the emergency bulletins for your location directly on your smartphone with the 112 Suomi appOpens in a new window. – just remember to allow the necessary location permissions and notifications.

The emergency bulletin system undergoes regular tests. The Emergency Response Centre provides information on public tests at 112.fiOpens in a new window..

If you see or hear a warning bulletin, follow the instructions. Do not call 112.

The alarm signal is sounded in situations such as when

• a major fire is in progress which is producing a large amount of poisonous smoke
• a toxic substance is spreading through the air as the result of an accident involving a road vehicle or train carrying it
• a radiological accident involving immediate danger due to the spread of radioactive material
• another threatening situation occurs.

More information and a sample of the general alarm signal on the Pelastustoimi.fi websiteOpens in a new window.

Do not call the emergency number to ask if there is a real danger.

When there is a real danger outside, the alarm will sound for a one-minute period raising and falling in volume.

Sounding of the general alarm signal is tested on the first Monday of each month that is a business day at 12 noon. The testing alarm is an even sound that lasts 7 seconds. When you hear the test siren you do not need to do anything.

When you hear the alarm signal:

• Immediately go inside your home or the nearest indoor space.
• Follow the authorities’ emergency warnings and act according to their instructions.
• Stop ventilation.
• Close the doors, windows and ventilation openings and any other areas from where air can flow into the interior. Tape them shut tightly.
• Remain sheltered indoors until an authority announces that the situation is over.

Under normal conditions, people will not enter civil defence shelters when the alarm signal sounds.

In the event of a war, the signal is used to alert people not only about incidents but also such things as air strikes. In the event of a military attack, you must immediately seek shelter in the nearest civil defence shelter or the best available shelter. The authorities will provide additional information and instructions via emergency bulletins or other means, as appropriate.

The “danger over” signal is an even sound lasting one minute. The sound does not rise or fall but remains at constant pitch. When you hear the signal, you know that the threat or danger is over.

The Finnish Meteorological Institute issues warnings about weather and sea conditions that cause danger and harm. These include winds, severe thunderstorms, rainfall and wildfire warning.

Warnings are prepared for five days in advance and updated around the clock. Warnings are reported in weather reports and on the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s website and possibly also on other weather sites.

Information on pre-emptive warnings - Finnish Meteorological InstituteOpens in a new window.

Warnings in effect in land and sea areas - Finnish Meteorological InstituteOpens in a new window.