An independent investigation recommends improvements to the state crisis leadership system, information flow and preparedness

The team, which worked alongside Safety Investigation Authority Finland, has investigated the actions taken by Finnish authorities and the administration due to the coronavirus pandemic in the first half of 2020. The matter was investigated according to the safety investigation methodology. The team systematically reviewed leadership during the early stages of the coronavirus emergency, the speed at which the public administration and other actors became aware of the situation, the measures taken, the flow of information between the various actors, preparedness, the legal provision applied to the situation, and communications that affected the safety of Finnish citizens. The team contacted over 80 organizations and interviewed roughly 150 people.

The investigation report includes a total of 12 safety recommendations. The key recommendations concern improvements to the state crisis leadership system, information flow and preparedness.

For example, the investigation team recommends an overhaul of the state crisis leadership model. The model must ensure that open, adequate cooperation and leadership is implemented in time. A body with overall responsibility for ensuring that preparations are made and measures implemented and monitored actively must also be appointed in advance.

”Leadership was not organized according to the leadership model described in the Security Strategy for Society, which caused certain issues. The model should be developed in light of the experiences gained”, says the head of the investigation team, Chief Safety Investigator Kai Valonen of Safety Investigation Authority Finland.

The investigation revealed problems with interaction within central government as well as between the government, regions and municipalities. The investigation team therefore recommends that an operating model be created for exchanging information between the central government, regions and municipalities. The purpose of the model would be to enable the maintenance and dissemination of an up-to-date situation picture as well as communication on decisions and planned measures.

The investigation team also recommends that preparedness be developed by creating a function for auditing and supporting the preparedness of the state, regions and municipalities. The investigation revealed that the continuity and preparedness plans of many organizations were incomplete and updates had been neglected. An example of this was the national pandemic plan, which dated from 2012 and only applied to influenza.

”Safety Investigation Authority Finland will monitor the implementation of the recommendations. We will contact the recipients of the recommendations regularly to enquire about the measures they have taken. The results will be published on Safety Investigation Authority Finland’s website”, Valonen says.

The purpose of a safety investigation is to improve public safety, prevent accidents and hazardous situations and limit the damage caused by accidents. The investigation now concluded was an investigation of an exceptional event, as referred to in the Safety Investigation Act. According to law, such an investigation applies to a very serious event that was not an accident and that resulted in death or that threatened or seriously damaged basic functions in society. The investigation team was instituted on 3 September 2020 and delivered its finished investigation report to the Government today.

Link to summary

Report in English to follow later.

Additional information:

Head of the investigation team, Mr. Kai Valonen, tel. +358 29 515 0707