We are facing a new reality – but the current emergency response structures are based on an outdated risk picture, believes KL.
Climate change, floods, threats of war and terror, supply crises, and the production and transport of green fuels. All part of the changed reality that municipal emergency response teams face every day. This is according to KL, which believes that extensive adjustments are necessary.
- We must have an emergency response that matches the new challenges we face. The municipalities do not want to be in the front line and be unprepared. It is also a national responsibility to ensure that we have the right skills and resources to handle future crises, says Birgit S. Hansen (S), mayor of Frederikshavn and chair of the City Council's Climate and Environment Committee.
Important part of security
Municipalities and municipal preparedness are crucial for our societal security, emphasizes the committee chair.
- We are concerned that the upcoming negotiations on a new preparedness agreement will overlook this. The defense agreement is a framework agreement that is intended to bring military defense up to date. Part of this is that a preparedness agreement must be made. It should be a central part of a preparedness agreement that there is a connection between risk, planning and action. Critical infrastructure is vulnerable. What do we do if there is no electricity supply, clean drinking water, sewage disposal, fiber optic network?, she says.
Birgit S. Hansen, on behalf of KL, is therefore calling for clear goals and a division of responsibilities between sectors and between state and municipalities when the remaining parts of the defense agreement are to be negotiated in place during 2024.
- We cannot plan for everything, but we can be prepared. In Sweden they have a minister for public safety. In Denmark we have a minister of defense. In Sweden the population must prepare for crises. In Denmark we urge restraint. We can no longer sit on our hands, she emphasizes.
dotn
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