Preparedness cannot be built on authorities alone

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo recently commented on the drone threat, noting that recent events revealed a lack of clarity among citizens on how to act during emergencies. While Orpo is correct that a gap exists, the author of this opinion piece questions whether Finland's leadership and authorities are as prepared as commonly believed, given this acknowledged deficiency in public understanding.

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The events of the past week showed that it is not clear to everyone how to act in a dangerous situation.

The article highlights the significant trust Finns place in their authorities, which is vital during crises. However, it suggests that the Prime Minister's remarks overlooked a fundamental aspect of preparedness and overall security: cooperation. This cooperation must extend beyond government and official bodies to include active citizen participation and the strengthening of mental resilience.

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Can it be said that the work of Finland's leadership and authorities is at as strong a level as is often thought, if at the same time it is stated that citizens live in a different reality and lack sufficient readiness and knowledge in preparedness?

Civil society organizations in Finland have decades of experience in building citizen preparedness and resilience. Through volunteer training, support for authorities, and public guidance, these groups play a critical role in enhancing national crisis readiness. They also focus on supporting vulnerable populations, an area where communication about threats like drones can be particularly challenging, especially for non-native speakers.

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Cooperation cannot be built solely between the state leadership and authorities or be based only on top-down instructions, but also on involving citizens and strengthening and maintaining mental crisis resilience.

The author contends that the government's extensive budget cuts to these very organizations undermine the work essential for national resilience. This financial weakening, coupled with the acknowledged gap in public awareness, further widens the divide between citizens and the administration, contradicting Finland's image as a model for preparedness.

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At the same time, one can ask if the enormous amount of work and knowledge within Finnish civil society organizations, which reaches ordinary citizens through their work, is being forgotten in the thinking.