A 24-hour access to helicopters with a response time of 15 minutes, is one of several improvements to the Norwegian emergency response system in the new year.
After the July 22nd Commission's critical report of the Norwegian emergency response, several plans were made for how the current system can and should be improved. In 2013, many of these measures and projects will finally take effect.
"2013 will be an important year for the Norwegian emergency response. We will start to see the result of many of the projects we have started since the terrorist attacks," explains Minster of Justice and Public Security Grete Faremo.
Part of the collective, future strategic plan for the improved national emergency response will be presented in next fall's budget proposal. According to Faremo it includes an offensive police and public security service, a good cooperation between the armed forces and the police, as well as strong and present local police forces.
In addition to the new plan, a new national alarm system will be in effect by April 1, and the police will have a new ICT (Information and Communications Technology) system in place sometime within 2013.
Already the emergency response is much better than it was before July 22, Faremo assures. "Changes have been made continuously, and significant funds have been invested in the police, the Police Directorate and the Security Police (PST)," Faremo tells NRK.
(NRK)
Julie Ryland
Notepads in police vehicles, improved alarm systems, one single emergency phone number and more police is on the government’s list of improvements after the July 22nd Commission’s criticism.
..
Summing up the Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons, held in Oslo this week, the Chair, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said several states had expressed the wish to continue the discussions.
..
A two-day international conference on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons, hosted by the Norwegian government, opens in Oslo today, Monday.(Photo: Norwegian Minister of Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide)
..
Norwegian energy provider Statoil has decided to conduct an investigation following the In Amenas terrorist attack in Algeria, in which five Norwegian Statoil employees were killed.
..
The Parliamentary Control and Constitutional Committee has presented its findings on the report by the official July 22nd Comission, and is united across party lines in criticising the Stoltenberg coalition government.
..
In its security assessment, the Norwegian Security Police (PST) also warns agianst attempts by foreign agents attempting to infiltrate Norwegian police and security divisions.
..
The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) confirms that there is a conflict between the military and the police when it comes to who should have the lead in in the fight against terror in Norway.(Photo: Head of PST Benedicte Bjørnland)
..
The Norwegian Defence Command on Thursday strengthened the level of preparedness at all Norwegian military installations to level Alfa (lowest level), following intelligence information from NATO.
..
Growing activity in the High North, both on land and at sea, has led to a need for enhanced search and rescue measures at the local level, according to the Norwegian government.
..
Minister of Justice Grete Faremo was questioned by the control committee on Monday about the emergency response on July 22, 2011. She explained that a lot remains to be done in order to improve the nation's emergency preparedness.
..
The Government has proposed allocating NOK 140 million to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen security at the diplomatic and consular missions as well as at the Ministry in Oslo (photo).
..
When Finance Minister Sigbjørn Johnsen presented the proposed fical budget for 2013 on Monday, he will have used only three of the permitted four percent from Norway's sovereign wealth fund.
..
