Päijät-Häme confirms appointment of Mira Leinonen as new rescue director

Pelastustieto has reported that Mira Leinonen has been appointed as the new director of the rescue services in the Päijät-Häme welfare region in Finland.

She will replace Jari Hyvärinen, the first to hold the post, who is retiring in May.

Leinonen will begin her new role on 1 August at the earliest.

Mira Leinonen’s background in rescue and public safety roles

According to Pelastustieto, Leinonen holds a Master of Science in Engineering and a degree in rescue operations.

She has completed the Officer Development programme in strategic management organised by the European Fire Chiefs’ Association FEU in the Netherlands.

She has also studied management and organisational communication at the University of Tampere.

Leinonen is currently the head of the rescue service unit and chief rescue inspector at the Regional State Administrative Agency of Southern Finland.

She has also worked for the National Police Board, the Western and Inner Finland AVI, and the Finnish Railways Agency/Trafi.

Second woman to serve as rescue director in Finnish history

Pelastustieto noted that Leinonen will become the second woman to hold a rescue director position in Finland.

The first was Piia Vähäsalo, who served as rescue director in Jokilaakso.

Leinonen has also written about rescue services as a columnist for Pelastustieto for over ten years.

Focus on staff well-being and national safety development

Leinonen told Pelastustieto: “The professional operations of the Päijät-Häme rescue department have impressed me while I was acting as a supervising authority.

“They do things with passion, but they don’t make a big deal out of their operations.

“I was also attracted by the fact that the recruitment announcement mentioned occupational well-being as the most important task of the director.”

Leinonen added: “Many people probably know me, so I’m sure I’ll fit in well with the other rescue leaders.”

Leinonen stated: “He considers taking care of the well-being of his staff to be the most important task of a manager. He wants to be open and approachable.”

Leinonen continued: “He says that he will take a stand as a rescue director in the rescue service when necessary, but he will not become a boss. Issues related to well-being are something he particularly wants to maintain in the rescue service nationwide.”

She is also involved in a new occupational safety project and has expressed interest in having Päijät-Häme serve as a pilot site for the initiative.

Mira Leinonen appointed as rescue director for Päijät-Häme welfare region: Summary

Mira Leinonen has been appointed as the new rescue director of the Päijät-Häme welfare region in Finland.

She will replace Jari Hyvärinen, who is retiring in May.

Her start date will be no earlier than 1 August.

The information was reported by Pelastustieto.

Leinonen holds a Master of Science in Engineering and a degree in rescue operations.

She has studied at the University of Tampere and participated in the FEU strategic management programme.

Her current role is head of the rescue service unit and chief rescue inspector at the Regional State Administrative Agency of Southern Finland.

She has previously worked for the National Police Board, AVI, and Trafi.

She has also written rescue service columns for Pelastustieto for over ten years.

She is the second woman to be appointed as a rescue director in Finland.

The first was Piia Vähäsalo in Jokilaakso.

Leinonen has prioritised staff well-being in her leadership plans.

She is also contributing to a new occupational safety project.