Rovaniemi to begin construction of new emergency station to improve response times

Construction of a long-awaited emergency response station in Rovaniemi is set to begin this year, with completion expected by 2028, regional public broadcaster Yle reports. The new facility will replace an outdated 1950s station and significantly reduce emergency vehicle response times in Finland’s growing Arctic tourism hub.

The station’s strategic location near Highway 4 (Nelostie) will allow faster access to major routes, reducing detours through congested city areas, according to fire chief Matti Salmi. “We can reach central areas with far fewer delays,” Salmi said during a demonstration where an emergency vehicle quickly joined the highway from the future site in the Lampela district.

Key improvements
The €32 million project will consolidate fire services, paramedic units, and social emergency response under one roof—all currently scattered across the city. A dedicated traffic circle with separate entry points for fire trucks and ambulances will streamline departures while improving safety for other road users.

“Traffic calms as vehicles enter the roundabout, letting us merge smoothly,” Salmi noted. The current station’s structural deficiencies and 1950s-era design have long hindered operations, with authorities issuing a 2022 directive to address excessive response times.

Health and operational benefits
Modern facilities will include decontamination areas to reduce firefighters’ exposure to carcinogens from fires—a critical upgrade, per rescue chief Markus Aarto. The station will also feature training towers, a gym, and sauna, but Salmi emphasized its role as a “clean fire station” with proper ventilation and hazardous material controls.

Last year, Lapland’s emergency services handled 4,542 incidents, a 125-call increase from 2023, with Rovaniemi accounting for the highest volume. Weather conditions and rising tourist numbers were cited as key factors in the growing demand.

Construction hinges on finalizing land transfers with the city and completing tender processes, said Anne Korhonen, technical director for the Lapland wellbeing services county. If schedules hold, the station will open in 2028.