A Firefighter Can Also Be a Shipbuilder
Tero Niemi
Fire Chief
Fire Chief Tero Niemi began working at the shipyard almost 20 years ago. Few people know that Meyer Turku has its own fire department, but over the years, Tero has become very familiar with it. Interested in technology, Tero applied for a firefighter position at the shipyard in 2006—and he has remained ever since. Before stepping into his current role as Fire Chief, he worked as a firefighter, fire master, fire supervisor, and deputy fire chief.
As his roles have changed, so has the nature of his work. In his early days as a firefighter, the job focused heavily on monitoring and maintaining readiness. Today, in his role as Fire Chief, Tero’s responsibilities revolve more around planning, risk management, and collaboration across departments. He oversees the daily operations of the shipyard’s 48-person fire department and also serves as a fire safety expert in shipbuilding projects. Personnel management is an essential part of his current duties.
Tero’s work is a vital part of both shipbuilding and the overall operations of the shipyard. Fire safety has a direct impact on shipbuilding schedules, as any accidents can delay project timelines. By ensuring strong fire safety practices, the shipyard’s resources are also protected.
For Tero, the most important aspects of working at Meyer Turku are the work community and the promising outlook for the future. According to him, there is a strong spirit of collaboration at the shipyard. Everyone understands that ships are not built by individuals working alone, but by teams pulling together. This shared effort becomes especially tangible during delivery ceremonies, which celebrate the collective success of all shipbuilders.
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