Training and education was first offered by the City of Helsinki Rescue Department in 1972 as the first in Finland.
The training centre has been called a rescue school since 1991.
The City of Helsinki Rescue Department is the only rescue department in Finland to educate its own ambulance drivers and fire chiefs.
The firefighters of other municipalities are trained by the Emergency Services College in Kuopio.
The Emergency Services College is overseen by the Ministry of the Interior.
Over 500 professional firefighters have graduated in Helsinki. Over the past five years, the rescue school has provided fire safety education for over 130,000 Helsinki residents.
The rescue school trains staff for the City of Helsinki Rescue Department, so the number of students reflects the current needs of the department.
The next rescue course should commence next year. The physical fitness of the applicants is tested through running, swimming, and muscle strength tests.
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 9.12.2004
