The Red Cross is prepared to be ready to help immediately when something happens. This is called emergency preparedness. The Finnish Red Cross maintains first aid and other emergency preparedness groups all over the country. Anyone can join the groups, and there are several forms of activity to choose from.

When an accident happens, various forms of aid are needed. As a volunteer, you have plenty of choice in selecting the activity to join in.

First aid volunteers help in minor and major emergencies. In case of a disaster, initial care group volunteers help victims and their relatives at the scene of the accident, for instance by organising food and accommodation for them.

Psychological support volunteers can offer their support in searches for missing persons and in fires, for instance. Each summer, the Red Cross festival volunteers provide first aid and carry out drug work in dozens of summer events around Finland.

Some of the volunteer duties might require that you speak fluent Finnish or Swedish. Please check possible language requirements for volunteer duties from your local Red Cross district.

The Voluntary Rescue Service helps the authorities
The Finnish Red Cross as well as over 50 other organisations belong to the Voluntary Rescue Service (Vapepa). The Voluntary Rescue Service is a union of organisations that participates in hundreds of alerts around the country each year.

In most cases volunteers of the Voluntary Rescue Service are called to help when a lot of helping hands are needed at the same time. Such incidents include searches for missing persons, traffic accidents and fires.

As a member of the Red Cross, you too can join the alert groups of the Voluntary Rescue Service. The Voluntary Rescue Service organises training for those interested.