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Emergency plan of a public event

The Rescue Act (379/2011, section 16) requires that the event organiser must compile an emergency plan for public events and other events that have a significant risk to personal or fire safety due to the large number of participants or some other special reason. The decree concerning rescue services (407/2011, section 3) specifies that the rescue plan for public events defined in the section 16 of the Rescue Act must be compiled for public assemblies or events, where:

  1. the estimated number of visitors present at the same time is at least 200 people;
  2. An open fire, fireworks or some other pyrotechnic products are used or flammable and explosive chemicals are used as special effects;
  3. the evacuation arrangements deviate from the standard, or
  4. the nature of the event is particularly risky for the people.

The emergency plan of a public event can be included as part of the event’s comprehensive safety plan, which also discusses other safety matters, such as security and traffic arrangements. The emergency plan must be delivered to the area’s rescue authorities at least 14 days before the event begins. The emergency plan is sent by email to pel.tapahtumat(at)hel.fi or by mail to
The City of Helsinki
Rescue Department / Events and temporary accommodation
PO Box 112
00099 The City of Helsinki.

The emergency plan must review and assess the event’s risks and hazards. The event’s safety arrangements are determined based on these, as well as the instructions given to the personnel in charge of implementing the event and the event’s public for preventing any accidents and guiding their actions in the possible accidents or hazardous situations. (The Rescue Act 379/2011, Section 16)

The emergency plan also presents how the event organiser implements the obligations of self-preparedness defined in the section 14 of the Rescue Act:

“The owner and occupants of a building and the business and industrial operators shall for their part:

  1. prevent fires and other dangerous situations;
  2. prepare for the protection of persons, property and the environment in dangerous situations;
  3. prepare for extinguishing fires and taking other such rescue action which they are capable of performing independently;
  4. take measures to ensure a safe exit during fires and in other dangerous situations and to facilitate rescue operations.”

It is recommended that small public events use the emergency plan template.