Finnish border guards now provide emergency first response in Archipelago Sea

The Finnish Border Guard has begun emergency first response operations in the Archipelago Sea, assisting patients before ambulances arrive, Yle reports.

Since early June, three coastal stations—Nauvo, Hiittinen, and Susiluodo—have handled 30 callouts. In ten cases, border guards responded alone, without ambulance staff, maintaining constant contact with the emergency dispatch center for guidance.

Senior border guard Niko Saarinen, who took part in the first call on June 1, said the initial assessment sometimes understates the severity. In one case, the patient was satisfied with the care and left by ambulance from the harbor where it met them. The border guard vessel had reached the scene in about 30 minutes, while the ambulance was still en route from Raisio.

The service speeds up critical first aid for cottage residents. Border guards received spring training from the Southwest Finland Wellbeing Services County (Varha), covering scenarios including childbirth. “A hospital is still a better place to give birth than our patrol boat,” Saarinen said. “A delivery would be a situation where you’d have to think twice about what to do.”

Deputy station chief Janne Tiainen said Varha remains in constant contact with border guards, who act as an additional tool in life-threatening or rapidly changing situations. Cases so far have included falls, allergic reactions, and chest pain. In serious incidents, dispatchers decide whether to send an ambulance crew to the vessel or proceed immediately with the border guard boat.

Patients have responded positively to the rapid assistance, even when surprised by a border guard’s arrival. Tiainen admitted the new approach initially caused some unease. “I believe we’ll manage,” he said. “Cases involving small children are the ones that affect you the most.”

The Border Guard’s agreement with Varha runs through the end of 2027. Similar operations have previously been conducted in the Gulf of Finland.