What is HÄLY 2026?
The International Youth Firefighters’ Camp HÄLY 2026 arranged in Masku in 11-17.7.2026 brings together about 2,000 eager children and young persons to learn, practice, and experience unforgettable moments. In July, a unique village is raised in Masku along good traffic connections – a little tent town full of team spirit, the joy of learning, and firefighting excitement. The camp is managed by solid expertise, relying on established good practices and camp insights.
Event story and values
You are welcome to get to know the HÄLY 2026 camp, achieved largely by volunteer staff and partners! It is a week-long event where children and youths can get trained in suitable age and skill groups. The event mascot is Häly the Cat, a character from the Western Finland Rescue Services Federation safety communications department.
Camp values include cooperation and sharing responsibility, openness and communication, respect and safety, flexibility and wellness, and sustainable development and youth inclusion.
Useful skills for youth firefighters
Youth firefighters are able to act even in tight spots – after all, they have been practicing exactly for that. Volunteer firefighting is a diverse and social activity for children and youths aged 7 to 17. It brings together a good bunch of people to practice important skills, such as first-aid extinguishing, medical first aid, taking responsibility, and working in a team. Anyone interested can take part. There are already more than 9,000 youth firefighters in Finland, and some of them will be meeting for the first time at the international HÄLY 2026 camp!
A brief history
The roots of HÄLY 2026 go back to 1956, when all fire brigade boys in Finland were invited for the first time to the 10th Turku and Pori province fire brigade boys’ camp in Tyrvää. Since then, the event has expanded and grown greatly. Today, international camps are arranged every four years, and rescue services federations are responsible for regional camps in the years between. HÄLY 2026 is the 19th international camp ever organized.
Accountability plays a big role
Accountability includes many things – even seemingly small ones that end up being significant. Accountability at HÄLY 2026 consists of carefully considered and justified solutions, proper and respectful behaviour, and a communal and accepting atmosphere. Accountability seeks to make the camp:
- Sustainable
- Equitable
- Fair
- Equal
- Available
- Inclusive
- A better place for youths, adults, the environment, and the nearby area.
Ask more about accountability:
Juuso Virta
Accountability Sector Director
+358 44 099 4549
juuso.virta@haly2026.fi
Noora Nieminen
Accountability Sector Deputy Director
+358 40 845 9673
noora.nieminen@haly2026.fi
Open decision-making for the benefit of the environment and the campers
Our goal is to build the camp in a way that uses as few natural resources as possible. We minimise waste, energy use, and carbon dioxide emissions. If possible, we will always choose the responsible option – even if it is more expensive. We consider carbon footprint minimisation, available and accessible environment, purposeful solutions, and environmental impacts in the building of the camp and in all operations.
We stand by our decisions and make sure they are in line with our values. Our decision-making is open, and we offer equal opportunities for influence. All fire brigade members can come to camp regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic background, or political views. This is how we ensure a good and fair camp experience for all.
Häly 2026 is for young people
The international camp is planned mainly for young persons. This is why inclusion underlies all camp activities. Fairness, equality, and availability are important values for us. All campers commit to the agreed procedures, models, and instructions. Because the camp is international, communication is clear and multi-lingual. The competences and language skills of international campers will be made use of in providing first aid, interpretation services, and translations.
Organization and Contact Information
Here you can find the organisation and contact information for the HÄLY 2026 camp, conveniently gathered in one place. Use the dropdown menu to select the sector you are interested in or looking for, and get to know the team behind the camp – we are here for you!
Camp leadership
Camp Director
Mikko Rauhanen
mikko.rauhanen@haly2026.fi
045 1316003
Deputy Camp Director
Eija Holmberg-Lehto
eija.holmberg-lehto@haly2026.fi
040 5777796
Project Manager
Heli Koponen
heli.koponen@haly2026.fi
044 9012027
Financial Manager
Pekka Tervala
talous@haly2026.fi
Data Protection Officer
Kimi Uutela
kimi.uutela@haly2026.fi
Communications
Communications Sector Director
Aki Hjort
aki.hjort@haly2026.fi
040 3577830
Communications Sector Deputy Director
Anna-Sofia Mahlamäki
anna-sofia.mahlamaki@haly2026.fi
040 7271974
Head of External Communications
Pinja Peltoluhta
viestinta@haly2026.fi
Head of Internal Communications
Juho-Erik Mikkola
viestinta@haly2026.fi
Documentation Officer
Sami Hakala
taltiointi@haly2026.fi
IT Support
Sami Hakala
sakari.k.seespuro@gmail.com
International affairs
International Affairs, Director
Kalle Lehtonen
kalle.lehtonen@haly2026.fi
0400 995764
International Affairs, Deputy Director
Hanna Pihanperä
hanna.pihanperä@haly2026.fi
040 5347581
International Affairs, Deputy Director
Camilla Rautanen
camilla.rautanen@haly2026.fi
040 5296282
Leisure Activities Coordinator
Sanni Horelli
sanni.horelli@gmail.com
Training Coordinator
Minttu Akkanen
minttu.m.nurmi@gmail.com
Interpretation and Translation Coordinator
Eeva Lehtinen
eeva.lehtinen@gmail.com
Event Coordinator
Florian Krüger
—
International Affairs Assistant
Katri Koivisto
koivisto.katrimirjam@gmail.com
Services
Service Sector Director
Mikko Malmberg
mikko.malmberg@haly2026.fi
050 3681834
Service Sector Deputy Director
Elina Saltio
elina.saltio@haly2026.fi
050 5883519
Head of Training
Teemu Jumpponen
koulutus@haly2026.fi
Training Secretary
Katja Kaurala
katja.kaurala@haly2026.fi
Training Area Manager
Simo Vitikainen
harjoitusalue@haly2026.fi
Equipment Manager
Kari Alho
kari.alho@dnainternet.net
Program Manager
Miikka Savilampi
miikka.savilampi@gmail.com
Head of Childcare Services
Marika Metsä-Tokila
marika.metsatokila@gmail.com
Event Officer
Johanna Ketonen
johanna.ketonen@haly2026.fi
Human Resources Officer
Heli Järvelä
heli.jarvela@haly2026.fi
Camp Office Manager
Anne Vaittinen
toimisto@haly2026.fi
tEchnical
Technical Sector Director
Janne Vuorela
janne.vuorela@haly2026.fi
040 5854983
Technical Sector Deputy Director
Pietari Muurinen
pietari.muurinen@haly2026.fi
045 6396317
Sub-sector Director: Catering and Sales
Teemu Syrilä
teemu.syrila@haly2026.fi
Head Chef
Päivi Satonen
paivi.satonen@gmail.com
Canteen Operations Manager
Minna Jäntere
minna.jantere@turunvpk.fi
Merchandise Sales Manager
Päivi Järvilehto-Kylänpää
—
Sub-sector Director: Infrastructure
Veikko Pullinen
veikko.pullinen@gmail.com
Logistics Manager
Jukka Lehtinen
jukkalehtinenoy@gmail.com
Camp Construction and Dismantling Manager
Kalle Kaunisvaara
kalle.kaunisvaara@hotmail.com
Maintenance Manager
Alpo Tapanainen
alpo.tapanainen@pp.inet.fi
Sub-sector Director: Safety
Jani Manninen
jani.manninen@jalojalo.fi
Medical Services Manager
Niko Neuvonen
niko.neuvonen@haly2026.fi
Safety Manager
Jani Manninen
jani.manninen@jalojalo.fi
Fire and Rescue Manager
Toni Riuttanen
toni.riuttanen@paimionvpk.fi
Accountability
Accountability Director
Juuso Virta
juuso.virta@haly2026.fi
0440 994549
Accountability Deputy Director
Noora Nieminen
noora.nieminen@haly2026.fi
040 8459673
Human Resources Officer
Marika Äijälä
henkilosto@haly2026.fi
Sustainability Expert
Anssi Lehto
lehto.anssi93@gmail.com
Expert in Sustainability and Equality
Ellen Prami
ellen.prami@gmail.com
Expert in Equality and Accessibility
Jenni Vartiainen
jenni.vartiainen@kankaanpaa.fi
Expert in Gender Equality and Equality
Naksu Mikkola
naksumikkola@gmail.com
Accessibility Expert
Jonna Myllyoja
jonna.raukola@gmail.com
Accessibility Expert
Niilo Virta
niilomvirta@gmail.com
Young Experts
Young Experts Team Leader
Sami Järvinen, Tampereen VPK
Young Expert
Nico Kotimäki, Uudenkaupungin VPK
Young Expert
Karoliina Lehtonen, Rantakulman VPK
Young Expert
Lilli Lehtinen, Liedon VPK