Defence Properties Finland gets off on a successful start

Janne Räsänen, Facilities Management Expert at Karelia Air Command, says that his own work has been significantly simplified and streamlined since the turn of the year.

“And not just my work. In the Air Force, my field, facilities management, has existed as a resource since the mid-1990s, but others, such as the army units, haven’t had a similar arrangement. This is why the inclusion of Defence Properties Finland has almost certainly reduced stress levels in all Defence Forces’ administration units.”

Räsänen describes his own job as a link between the Finnish Defence Forces and Defence Properties Finland, where Property Manager Mikko Rissanen acts as his ”combat partner”.

“Our cooperation has got off to a really good start. Since Mikko came into the picture, planning and prompt response to repair needs have improved because he has his own local budget, within the framework of which Defence Properties Finland can run its operations,” Räsänen enthuses.

As in other central government administration properties, a gross rent model applies also to Defence Forces’ properties. Simply put, this means that no profit is made from leasing activities and that the rent covers all the costs of the properties and their maintenance.

“I think switching over to a gross rent model was an excellent move. Defence Forces units can now focus on their own specialised core business,” Räsänen says.

Close cooperation every day of the year

Karelia Air Command is located in Rissala, near Kuopio and is one of Finland’s readiness units whose main mission during peace time is to monitor and ensure the integrity of Finland’s air space. Readiness is maintained around the clock every day of the year. This imposes particular requirements also on the availability of the properties. Everything must work seamlessly both in normal and in emergency conditions.

“Most of our properties are security classified protection premises, where civil actors and contractors cannot be admitted. Defence Properties Finland ensures that at all times we have the required special expertise available and that properties are available in all security conditions,” Janne Räsänen says.

Karelia Air Command has around 750 people, of whom 500 are salaried active professional personnel and the remainder are conscripts doing their military service. The Air Command’s main assets are its Boeing F/A-18 Hornet multi-role fighters.

Defence Properties Finland has 35 employees, including cleaners, maintenance personnel and its own HEVAC experts and builders, in the air command area. A preparedness plan drives all activities.

“The plan is in good shape and is under constant development,” Räsänen says.

Räsänen says that the next goal is to integrate Defence Properties Finland into an integral part of the unit. This means involving the property more closely in everyday operations and, for example, in the zoning negotiations with the municipality.

“It’s in everyone’s interest that Defence Properties Finland is up to speed as much as possible on our future needs and aspirations. And we will definitely get there. We have a great team here!”