In English

Maarian VPK in brief

Maarian VPK (The Voluntary Firebrigade of Maaria) is one of the six voluntary firebrigades in Turku. It is located near the city centre of Turku. Our main task is to rescue and extinguish in both normal conditions and state of emergency. Our field of operations consist of wide range of different tasks, for example fire-fighting at the World’s largest cruise ship Voyager of the Seas few years ago.

Maarian VPK has five divisions. Emergency division takes care of emergency operations like fire-fighting. Rescue and extinguishing operations are performed with fire engine and three support vehicles. Junior division trains children aged from 10 to 16 years to be future fire-fighters. Women’s division supports the emergency division, organizes public enlightment and takes part in fundraising. Veteran division consist of retired voluntary fire-fighters. The horn orchestra plays music at public happenings. The orchestra is the only cultural division inside the firebrigade.

Maarian VPK was found in 1889 at the Commune of Maaria. Initially the firebrigade acted as the only firebrigade of Maaria, but as the City of Turku and the Commune of Maaria united in the year 1967, became Maarian VPK one of the voluntary firebrigades of the City of Turku. In the early years functioned Maarian VPK also as active athletic club, amateur theatre and public library.