parallel session 1

ERC Operators Training in Finland: 

ERC Operators Training in Finland The work of ERC operator has changed and developed rapidly during the last few years. The new joint emergency centres will place additional demands for the operators in serving the citizens in all emergency situations. The training has to follow the reality of the profession and since the planning of the curriculum has started by evaluating the requirements that need to be fulfilled in order to manage the operators work. Emergency Services College has trained together with the National Police School the operators in 1.5 years (60 credit units) program since 1997 and the curriculum has just been modernized to meet the latest requirements.

Training Curriculum: 

Training Curriculum The training focuses on the holistic handling of emergency calls, handling the assignment over to the appropriate units and providing callers with advice. The different learning environments play an important role in the new curriculum. These include training in special units, actual work placements, simulations and individual tasks using information networks. Training contents basic studies ERC work rescue, emergency medical, social emergencies and police services

Challenges: 

Challenges The work of ERC operator contiues to change and develop. This requires that the education developes at the same time or possibly earlier, and it needs active communication between the trainer and the employer. The trainer and the employer are different organizations, but it´s important that the employer gives skilled labour to the training organization`s use. How much is enough students and enough qualified operators? In addition to the vocational training there has to be also a supplementary training program to train the existing operators for the different tasks in the emergency response centres. Finland is by law bilingual country. Are the operators able to serve the Swedish minority after our training? Do we also have to pay attention to other lingual and cultural minorities?