The work carried out by the Leader regions of South Ostrobothnia to develop village safety and preparedness is not a coincidence. A provincial expert group has been operating for years, with representatives from the rescue service, the Voluntary Rescue Service (Vapepa), the Finnish Red Cross, the municipal sector, and the Villages of South Ostrobothnia and the village developers of the Leader regions.
Currently, the village security group is planning, among other things, a large preparedness event for autumn 2026. The goal of the event is to provide an understanding of the current security situation and the importance of the work of village communities in preparedness and crisis resilience.
The event is expected to attract participants from all over the province who are interested in comprehensive security.
In the main picture from the left: Simo Ojaluoma (rescue department protection section), Elina Hihnala-Mäkelä (City of Seinäjoki), Miia Hietaniemi (South Ostrobothnia Villages), Tave Rautiainen (SPR Western Finland), Jaana Sippola (Leader of Six), Tuija Takamaki (Leader Suupohja), Eija Pippola Leader Aisapari), Aana Vainio (Vape), Mari Viljanmaa (Leader Vest) and Juha Turkulainen South Ostrobothnia Rescue Department). Missing from the picture Reijo Hamalainen (Kurikka town) and Aki Valonen (Vapepa Western Finland).
The village safety chain includes 1. the provincial village safety group, 2. municipal village safety tables, which include, among others, authorities, the parish, 3. sector actors and village representatives, and 3. the villages' own voluntary preparedness, such as the assembly of village safety teams.