Fire department plans cuts to on-duty chiefs in Satakunta, Finland

In Satakunta’s welfare region, the fire department plans to reduce the number of on-duty fire chiefs for budgetary reasons. Previously, there have been three on-duty fire chiefs located in Pori, Eura, and Kankaanpää. According to current plans, Northern Satakunta will no longer have a dedicated on-duty fire chief.

The Finnish Fire Safety Professionals Association (SPAL) states in a release that reducing the number of fire chiefs will not lead to layoffs within the welfare area, but two of the fire chiefs will transition to day shifts, leaving on-duty responsibilities. One on-duty fire chief from Kankaanpää is expected to move to Pori, and another to Eura.

Asko Mansikkamäki, chairman of SPAL, expressed concern that this situation could create inequalities among citizens based on their place of residence. He noted that response times for emergency services would likely not meet the necessary readiness standards.

Pasi Jaakkola, acting leader of SPAL, warned that overall safety is at risk, emphasizing that any delays in receiving assistance could be life-threatening due to the potential wait for operational leadership within emergency services.

The announcement also revealed that the planned savings for the Satakunta Fire Department could reach up to €729,200, with €84,200 expected from layoffs and €645,000 from work and position restructuring. Currently, the fire department has a recruitment freeze, and according to the welfare region’s guidelines, temporary positions will not be extended next year.