Fire in Puolanga exposes emergency service shortages in small Finnish municipalities

A devastating fire that destroyed a row house in Puolanga has highlighted critical gaps in emergency response capabilities in Finland’s small municipalities, reports Yle.

The blaze, which completely destroyed a six-unit residential building late Sunday, revealed that Puolanga lacks its own on-duty fire brigade. While the town’s emergency medical unit handled evacuations, firefighting units had to be called in from neighboring municipalities, said Juha Saario, rescue chief of the Kainuu Rescue Department.

“The biggest problem in Puolanga right now is the contracted personnel and their numbers,” Saario told Yle. He acknowledged that while the town has a contracted volunteer fire brigade, its limited resources prevent effective operations.

Puolanga’s mayor, Harri Peltola, stated that the town had “gotten by on luck for three years,” but that luck had now run out. Saario called the remark “somewhat populist,” though he admitted it contained a “grain of truth.” He noted that while Puolanga now has an emergency medical unit capable of initial response—unlike 18 months ago, when no units could be deployed—its fire brigade remains understaffed.

The fire also underscored broader structural challenges. Saario explained that maintaining a full-time fire station would cost €1.5 million annually—an impossible burden for small municipalities. Instead, he called for new solutions, including cross-training personnel to handle multiple roles.

A declining youth population has further weakened volunteer fire brigades, traditionally a key recruitment source. “We can no longer rely solely on volunteers,” Saario said, adding that many small towns lack full-time staff to manage contracted fire services.

The incident also served as a reminder of outdated fire safety standards in older buildings. Once flames reach the attic, they often spread uncontrollably due to the absence of modern compartmentalization requirements in past construction codes.

Saario emphasized the need for regional cooperation to ensure adequate fire response in rural areas. “As a wellbeing services county, we must find new ways to support small municipalities so they get the help they need when they need it.”