Studying at the Emergency Services Academy
Studying at the Emergency Services Academy is based on high-quality education in which diverse learning environments are actively utilised. Our central location brings together safety and rescue service students from all over Finland. Teaching, accommodation, and meals are provided free of charge for degree students when studying takes place at the Emergency Services Academy.
Welcome to the Emergency Services Academy
The Emergency Services Academy is located in the residential area of Petonen in southern Kuopio. There are various shops, restaurants, and other services in the immediate vicinity of the campus area. Local buses run to the city centre right from the Emergency Services Academy.
The lively student city of Kuopio has a total of approximately 20,000 students.
Free meals
Degree students are provided breakfast, lunch, and dinner free of charge at the Emergency Services Academy during their studies (if not otherwise stated).
The training ground has its own canteen, so meals are also served during training days.
Exceptions: there is no free breakfast served on Monday mornings and no dinners on Friday evenings.
Free accommodation
Degree-pursuing students are provided free accommodation during their studies and training at the Emergency Services Academy.
Students are primarily accommodated in the cellular apartments of the Emergency Services Academy dormitory (Building C).
The dormitory
The dormitory apartments have three bedrooms furnished with beds, desks, and wardrobes. The common area of the apartment has a refrigerator, electric hob, television and toilet, bathroom and a drying cabinet. Each room fits 2 people (6 persons per apartment). Bed linen is provided by the Emergency Services Academy. There are no tableware or cutlery, microwave ovens, or coffeemakers at the apartments. Students are not allowed to bring their own furniture.
Students have the use of a sauna and a laundry room (washers and dryers). Schedules for the sauna time slots are available on the dressing room doors. The student dormitory also has recreation rooms, exercise equipment, and a ping-pong table. The Letku pub run by the Emergency Services Academy students’ association also has recreational facilities, a bar and a pool table.
Due to the large number of students, the Emergency Services Academy has additional accommodation facilities at the Mylly dormitory of the Kuopio student housing company Kuopas.
Resident’s obligations
The student is not allowed to have overnight guests at the dormitory. Guests must leave the Emergency Services Academy campus area by 22:30 at the latest. All those staying at the dormitory must take the rights of others into consideration and refrain from causing disturbance. All residents must respect other residents’ right to rest at night by not making any noise between 23:00 and 06:30.
Disruptive behaviour must be reported to the Security Chief of the Emergency Services Academy without delay.
Smoking and using snuff indoors is prohibited. The Emergency Services Academy has designated smoking areas.
It is prohibited to bring, possess, or use drugs at the premises.
Animals are not allowed at the dormitory.
Students’ association
The Emergency Services Academy has an active students’ association. By joining the students’ association you become part of the student community and have the opportunity to influence matters related to studies and leisure activities.
Teaching
Teaching usually takes place on weekdays between 8:00 and 16:15. As part of their fire and rescue equipment maintenance course, firefighter students are obliged to participate in the maintenance tasks of the educational institution in accordance with a designated shift list. Students must follow the rules and regulations and other instructions of the Academy during their studies.
The main language of instruction is Finnish, but instruction is also provided in Swedish. Students can choose to use either Finnish or Swedish in the student admission procedure and examinations.
Curricula
The studies always follow the curriculum. The curriculum is provided for the students at the beginning of their studies.
Teaching and learning methods
The teaching and learning methods vary by degree programme. In the degree programmes for firefighters and ERC operators, a significant portion of the studies consists of practical teaching.
For student firefighters and sub-officers, the most important learning environment is the versatile training ground of the Emergency Services Academy. Student ERC operators and officers, on the other hand, will use simulation environments that mimic working life.
Sports and physical activity
Students can use the Emergency Services Academy’s sports halls and gyms free of charge in the evenings and on weekends.
The neighbouring areas also provide excellent opportunities for physical activity. The nearby Lippumäki cave has a swimming pool and a sports hall. The Lippumäki sports centre with its football fields, tennis courts, ice skating tracks (during winter), gyms and other facilities is also located nearby. The area also has an extensive network of cycling routes, jogging paths and skiing tracks.
Leisure
Kuopio is a vibrant student city with versatile options for leisure time activities. Below are links to students’ leisure services.
