Safety in avalanche terrain: tools for the Rescue Services and awareness to the public (Snow) – project
Snow-project, managed by The Finnish Association of Fire Officers, aims to develop the proficiency of the Rescue Services to effectively and safely manage operations in avalanche terrain.
Each winter, humans trigger and are caught in snow avalanches in the Finnish fells and steep hills. In Finland, avalanche accidents fall under the command of the Rescue Services in the initial operating period of the accident.
The Finnish Rescue Services do not have training or tools in place that facilitate tactical and strategic decision-making for incident and on-site commanders during avalanche accidents. Snow-project aims to develop decision-making and risk management tools for facilitating efficient and safe avalanche rescue response for the Rescue Services and prevent avalanche accidents by providing knowledge of avalanche hazard and avalanche terrain to the public.
Objectives of the Snow-project
The objectives are to:
- Develop tools, a knowledge bank, and training material to facilitate decision-making and risk assessment in avalanche accidents for incident and on-site commanders of the Rescue Services
- Develop avalanche terrain maps, including potential runout zones for selected areas in Lapland and North Ostrobothia.
- Evaluate the performance of the leadership tools and training material in pilot training courses for the Rescue Services
- Produce avalanche awareness information and material for the public
The goal of the decision-making tools and framework is to facilitate a safe and efficient avalanche rescue response. They involve making a situation and risk assessment and determining appropriate approach routes, resources, and search tactics.
The avalanche terrain maps assist rescue personnel in recognizing hazardous terrain and potential accident locations, choosing appropriate approach routes, and facilitating risk assessment.
Snow-project will produce avalanche awareness learning material for the public both in digital and print format. The goal of public outreach is to reduce the avalanche risk to the public.
The Snow-project will run for 22 months between 9/2024-6/2026 throughout two winters.
Project partners and funding
The partners of the Snow-project are the Rescue Services of Lapland and North Ostrobothnia. The project is funded by the Fire Protection Fund, and the Rescue Services of Lapland and North Ostrobothnia.
Contact
Joonas Kortelainen
Project manager
joonas.kortelainen(at)sppl.fi
phone: +358 440 350 112
