CTIF in shock and mourning at the sudden loss of Mikko Saastamoinen, chair of the Extrication and New Technology Commission
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It is with immense sadness that members of the Executive Committee of the International Association of Fire and Rescue Services record on behalf of all CTIF members their deepest condolences on the tragic loss of Mikko Saastamoinen, Chair of the Extrication and New Technology Commission.
Mikko was an inspirational leader who in a very short period of time became globally acknowledged as an expert in his field. CTIF will consider how best to continue his work in recognition of his unique talents.
The funeral for Mikko Saastamoinen will be held later in October, and CTIF will attend with one of its vice presidents. Saastamoinen was born in 1980.
This obituary will be followed by a longer tribute article to our dear friend Mikko, organized by the Commission for E & NT, in cooperation with the Finnish National CTIF Committee.
On Wednesday October 2, CTIF was shaken by terrible and hard-to-fathom news: Mikko Saastamoinen, Finland's strong man in CTIF since many years, and the chair of it's most active Commission since 2022, was killed in a traffic accident the night before - just minutes after he attended an online meeting with the CTIF E&NT Commission.
In the days following, condolences from around the world have been pouring in to the CTIF Office, including from WRO World Rescue Organization, and the OBA Association of South American Fire Services.
Several Commission Meetings this week within CTIF started with a Silent Minute for Mikko, to honour and remember his contributions to CTIF and to firefighters world wide.
Photo Credits:
Cover photo by Teemu Heikkilä.
Photos also by Mark Bokdam and others with CTIF.
Mikko Saastamoinen has made significant contributions to CTIF (International Association of Fire and Rescue Services), particularly in advancing rescue techniques related to modern vehicles.
He has been instrumental in establishing and promoting the international standard ISO 17840, which helps emergency personnel quickly identify the propulsion system of vehicles involved in accidents.
This standard has greatly improved safety for both rescuers and victims in vehicle extrications, especially in the context of electric and gas-powered cars, which pose unique challenges compared to traditional vehicles.
Saastamoinen's leadership within CTIF includes chairing the Commission for Extrication and New Technology. Under his guidance, the commission focuses on enhancing road rescue, addressing new technological challenges such as energy storage systems and smart technology like drones and autonomous vehicles, which are increasingly relevant in emergency situations. His efforts have helped shape global best practices for rescue operations involving complex and modern vehicles.
Mikko Saastamoinen, in his role at the South Karelian Rescue Department in Finland, was awarded Firefighter of the Year 2020 in Finland. A big part of the motivation for the award is his efforts to launch the implementation of the new CTIF - ISO 17840 standard for vehicle rescue in Finland.
Finland was first among the Nordic countries to implement the new ISO 17840 standard, as CTIF News wrote about on October 14, 2020 , after Belgium and France who were the two countries that took the initiative to the new standard and eventually realized it through CTIF and ISO.
Mikko represented Finland in the CTIF Commission for Extrication & New Technologies since 2015, and became it's chair in 2022 after Tom Van Esbroeck.
Mikko Saastamoinen, Firefighter of the Year in Finland 2020
Mikko Saastamoinen had a passion for cars - not just from the point of view of driving, but primarily from the point of view of rescue & extrication. The special expertise of the South Karelian Rescue Department is road rescue and new car technologies, a subject in which he was a recognized trainer, both at home and abroad.
His goal was for road rescue in Finland to remain at a high international level.
Mikko Saastamoinen's merits in road traffic rescue are internationally recognized. His personal inquiry into the subject began just over ten years ago when he visited Sweden for a heavy equipment rescue course.
Since then, international projects have taken him on numerous trips abroad; to Germany, the Netherlands, France and Portugal to mention a few. Initially he was interested in learning and training, however over time, he has become a sought after instructor and lecturer.
He has also been responsible for developing unique special tactics for rescue on race cars.
