Finland's international rescue force (Finnrescueforce FRF) comprises crew from the fire departments of the largest municipalities. The aim is to give help abroad in the event of such crises or catastrophes where assistance is justified to safeguard life, the environment or property. Rescue operations may include firefighting, searches, rescue, first aid, cleaning oil and chemical spills, damage assessment and water rescue missions. Help may also include helping the population on site or evacuating the population, in which case leadership, electricity and power generation, cleaning and supplying water and arranging temporary accommodation may be involved.

FRF operations rely on staff from the fire departments of Helsinki, Espoo, Tampere, Turku, Vantaa and from the Emergency Services College. The Ministry of the Interior may also appoint persons from other fire departments, government officers or voluntary organisations. Personal help consists of experts, special and rescue groups. Moreover, rescue equipment can be sent to disaster areas for the use of local organisations working there. FRF has three rescue companies totalling 196 rescuers. These are assembled into suitable groups properly equipped in accordance with their mission.