The tests were carried out as part of the High North Cooperation (HNC) on civil preparedness, involving the Regional Administrative Agencies of Northern Finland and Lapland, as well as the County Administrative Agencies of Norrbotten and Västerbotten in Sweden, and County Governors of Nordland and Troms & Finnmark in Norway. The HNC aims to strengthen civil preparedness cooperation between the regions. This includes exchanging information and experience and organising joint events, exercises and training.
“All HNC partners use TETRA networks, a digital radio communication system designed primarily for official communications. In Finland, this system is called VIRVE, in Sweden, Rakel, and in Norway, it is known as Nødnett. Together with our HNC partners, we have ensured and tested the possibility of communicating online in bilateral and trilateral groups, so that we can stay in touch even if all other communication links are blocked,” says Jorma Pikkarainen, Senior Officer at the Regional State Administrative Agency for Northern Finland.
According to Mr Pikkarainen, the HNC cooperation identified the importance of other authorities in the regions having a similar ability to communicate across borders in a secure network. This is why the Regional State Administrative Office of Northern Finland set out to promote a wider common connection test, which was successfully implemented this week.
“A total of 20 organisations from the Nordic countries, including the rescue services, police, social services and health services, took part in the test. We tested cross-border connections, and the exercise proved highly valuable. Communication readiness under various conditions is essential for effective collaboration,” Pikkarainen noted.
Some organisations were already communicating smoothly across land borders in TETRA, especially those operating close to the border. The test also included observers from eight organizations, such as HNC partners and network administrators.
The High North Cooperation was established in 2016 between the northernmost regions of Finland, Sweden and Norway. The aim of the cooperation is to increase cross-border connections and expand existing networks. HNC works with regional, municipal and national health authorities, emergency services, armed forces, police, border authorities and voluntary organisations.