Apply to Helsinki Rescue School
Applications for the Rescue School’s rescuer courses, starting in August 2025, will open at the end of November 2024. At that time, applicants can schedule their physical tests, which will be conducted between December and January. After the physical tests, the selection process will continue with aptitude tests.
Applications for the rescuer training course starting in August 2025 will open at the end of November 2024. Two courses will begin in August 2025: one in Finnish and one in Swedish. Start training well in advance for the physical tests to ensure you are in the best possible shape during the Christmas-January period. Additionally, each applicant must undergo a medical check-up, which must be scheduled by the applicant. Booking instructions will be provided on this page at a later date.
The rescuer degree takes 1.5 years to complete. The qualification opens opportunities for positions such as rescuer, firefighter, or firefighter-paramedic nationwide, with excellent employment prospects for graduates.
The application process for rescuer training involves several stages. The table below outlines the main stages, and it will be updated as the application deadline approaches.
Discover the stages of the application process
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Check that you are eligible to apply. Eligibility is defined in the Emergency Services Academy Finland, section 1.3.1.
Immediately
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Start training for the physical tests held in December and January.
Immediately
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3. Schedule and complete a health check. Booking instructions will be provided here soon. A valid medical certificate must be attached to the application form upon submission.
Book your appointment in November-February 2024.
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4. Book an appointment for physical tests, which will be held in December and January.
Book your appointment in November-December 2024.
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5. Attend the physical tests at the times you have booked. Each stage is qualifying: the first stage is the cooper, and those who pass it will take the rest of the physical tests in the same week, on the same day.
January-February 2025
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6. If you pass all the physical tests, fill in the application form immediately after the tests. Required attachments: medical certificate and degree certificate
January-February 2025
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7. Take part in the psychological assessment of the application process.
March 2025
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8. You will be informed of your conditional admission as a student.
April 2025
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9. You will be informed of the final choice once the security clearance is completed.
May-June 2025
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10. The studies start at Helsinki Rescue School.
August 2025
Information on the Physical tests
All physical tests are qualifying.
See videos of the physical tests on Emergency Serivces Academy Finland website
The Cooper’s Running Test is the first test to be performed. Applicants who pass the Cooper’s Run Test will take the remaining physical tests during the same week on the same day after passing the Cooper’s Run Test.
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Cooper (12 min)
2800 m
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Bench press
45 kg / 60 s / 25 repetition
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Sit-up
34 repetition / 60 s
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Chin-up (underhand grip)
6 repetition
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Squat
45 kg / 60 s / 23 repetition
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Swimming
200m / 4min 45s. In addition, retrieving an object from water at a depth of about 2 metres (pass/fail)
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Fobia
Fear of high places and enclosed spaces (pass/fail)