Fireman of the Year is an experienced and brave rescue service professional: “I have had the fortune to do what I love throughout my career”
This year’s Fireman of the Year is Head of Unit at the Helsinki City Rescue Department, Jari “Korkki” Korkiamäki, who has worked a long career in rescue services. The Fireman of the Year title is a recognition of exemplary work in rescue services.
Head of Unit Jari Korkiamäki has been selected as Fireman of the Year 2025. Korkiamäki is known to many by nickname “Korkki”. He will retire from the Helsinki City Rescue Department in the end of the year and tells that he is very touched and surprised for receiving this recognition before retirement.
“When I heard that I will receive this award, I was speechless. I value this recognition very highly, and I did not expect that I would have the honour of receiving it at this point,” Korkiamäki says.
Korkiamäki has worked in a number of roles during his 40 years long career, for example as a fire fighter, deputy CEO of rescue services and CEO of emergency services department. He has also been the leader of the rescuer and sub-officer courses at Helsinki Rescue School for many years.
Korkiamäki is a member of Trade Union JHL.
Dares to comment on problems of the sector
The reasons for the award include a several decades long career in rescue services and activity in developing the sector, as well as an exceptional and wide-ranging experience in the rescue services sector at Finland’s largest rescue department in Helsinki. Korkiamäki has also been a member in a number of national working groups that have been set up to develop rescue services.
“In the recent years I have worked much on starting up the national and regional situation and command centre,” Korkiamäki tells.
Korkiamäki is well known in the rescue services sector. He has dared to comment on problems of the sector and proposed ideas for developing the sector.
The rationale for the award also highlights that Korkiamäki is an experienced expert of preparedness. He has been involved as an expert of rescue services in planning the security arrangements for the visits of heads of states, most recently the President of Ukraine.
Working his entire life in a dream profession
Korkiamäki says that he has been very lucky because he has been able to work in his dream profession all his life.
“This award, too, is a result of having had the fortune to do throughout my career the very thing that I want and love.”
The title is awarded for exemplary action, for a rescue mission that deserves special recognition, or for other action that increases appreciation of rescue services, rescue departments or fire departments.
The awardee is selected annually by a committee that consist of a representative of the Finnish National Rescue Association, the Finnish Association of Fire Officers, Suomen pelastusalan ammattilaiset SPAL, Suomen Sopimuspalokuntien Liitto SSPL, and Trade Union JHL. Fireman of the Year has been selected since 1982. This year’s winner was announced in Safety & Rescue Expo in Helsinki on 8 October.
Watch the video by Helsinki City Rescue Department to see how Jari Korkiamäki wast sent off to retirement in October in the traditional way.