Kätlin Alvela has served as the Director General of the Emergency Response Centre since 2017. She leads an organization comprising approximately 230 employees and 250 volunteers, tasked with providing the first point of assistance when human life, health, or property are at risk, or when state information needs to be conveyed to the public. Handling one million calls to the 112 emergency number annually, the Emergency Response Centre directs ambulance, rescue, and police units to those in need. Since 2020, the Centre’s consultants and volunteers have also answered calls on the state information helpline, 1247.
Kätlin holds a degree in Social Work and Rehabilitation Management from the University of Tartu and a Master of Science degree in Political Science from Tallinn University; in 2019, she earned an Executive Coach diploma from the Estonian Business School.
Alvela has 23 years of experience in leadership roles—including 13 years at the Police and Border Guard Board and nearly 10 years at the Emergency Response Centre—demonstrating passion, dedication, and a commitment to development and innovation. In 2022, she was nominated for the title of Estonia’s Best Top Executive.