Nord University innovation center for safety, security and preparedness collaboration (NORDLAB)

NORDLAB
Nord University preparedness management lab (NORDLAB) provides an arena for situational awareness and risk assessments, as well as education, research, exercises and tests related to sea, land and air-based emergency response.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Nord University provides computer-based simulation capacities integrated with crisis management decision-support tools and command and control support systems. 

In cooperation with world-leading suppliers of emergency preparedness software, modelling and simulation systems as well as decision making support solutions we offer an advanced training and test arena within emergency management for students and professionals.



About NORDLAB

NORDLAB was officially opened on 24. April 2018 by the Minister of Justice and Public Security. 
NORDLAB is situated in the building Torggården at Bodø campus, in Kudalsveien 6
See map

What we can offer

NORDLAB offers emergency preparedness training for public and private actors. 
NORDLAB can make concepts for training for various organizations, for example training of emergency preparedness managers and -staff in crisis management. 

Available equipment in the lab:
  • Desk top simulators
  • Oil spill response module
  • Alarm and dispatch  center
  • Operational command center
  • Radio communication
  • Skype and conference telephone system
  • Public safety communications network
  • Command- and control systems
  • Software for logging incidents
  • Emergency preparedness planning- and control systems
  • Staff room with wall screens and IT-support
  • Cameras (CCTV), sound recording systems and logs for debriefing
  • External broad band connections to other sites 

Study programmes and courses

The following courses/study programs are connected to NORDLAB:
  • Polar code courses
  • Emergency preparedness management courses for companies
  • Crisis staff courses for private and government agencies
  • Master in Preparedness and Emergency Management
  • Bachelor in paramedics 
Polar Code course - Basic
This Polar Code basic course  provides competence, skills and knowledge in safe operations of ships in polar regions. It has a special focus on cold climate conditions and operations in icy waters. The course includes issues related to HSE for crew and passengers, emergency preparedness and response. 

The course is tailor-made for maritime personnel and especially vessel crew with responsibility for vessel operation, safety on board, protection of the marine environment and emergency preparedness in polar waters. The course is especially relevant for vessel captains and ship officers in need of a Polar Code certificate. 

Contact our advisors at NORDLAB for more information about Polar Code courses in English. 

Polar Code course - Advanced
This Polar Code advanced course provides competence, skills and knowledge in safe operations of ships in polar regions. It has a special focus on cold climate conditions and operations in icy waters. The course includes issues related to HSE for crew and passengers, emergency preparedness and response, in addition to preparedness related to search and rescue and pollution. 

The course is tailor-made for maritime personnel and especially vessel crew with responsibility for vessel operation, safety on board, protection of the marine environment and emergency preparedness in polar waters. The course is especially relevant for vessel captains and ship officers in need of a Polar Code certificate. 

Contact our advisors at NORDLAB for more information about Polar Code courses in English. 

Course in emergency- and preparedness management at strategic level
Are you responsible for safety, preparedness or emergency management in your organization? When unexpected situations occur, there is an imminent need to handle the situation in a professional manner, in cooperation with involved agencies. 

The target group for this course in emergency- and preparedness management are managers and leaders in private and public sectors with responsibility for preparedness and emergencies. The course is especially relevant for emergency staff personnel.  

On-scene Coordinator course
The basic purpose of this on-scene-coordinator (OSC) course is to educate and train maritime personnel in the roles of an on-scene-coordinator in search and rescue (SAR) operations at sea.

The course is especially relevant for coast guard crew, merchant vessel captains and other key personnel taking part in SAR-operations at sea. 

Exercises

NORDLAB can run exercises at sea, land or in air. We can tailor make the exercises to the needs of each group/organisation. We run exercises including both tactical, operative and strategic levels. 

NORDLAB is used as a training facility for several courses at Nord University, in addition to exercises with other actors in the various academic and networks. 

NORDLAB has focused on the following thematic areas and exercises: 
  • Search and rescue (SAR)
  • Oil spill response
  • Nature disasters
  • Fallout of critical community installations and functions
  • Terror and other types of violent action
  • Crises and loss of reputation

Research and development

NORDLAB participates actively in research and development (R&D) related to emergency preparedness and preparedness management, including emergency preparedness system analysis, decision-making support tools and leadership. At NORDLAB we also participate in innovation projects related to next generations’ cloud-based simulator systems. 

NORDLAB  offer counseling and competent advisors within the field of emergency preparedness. Our competence encompasses public and private sectors, as well as preparedness management and –leadership in private sector and in the communities. 

Our research projects increase knowledge about preparedness management in the Arctic. Read more about our projects: 

Our network

NORDLAB is part of several networks for academic work, cooperation and exchange of experience. 

Maritime Campus North


Maritime Campus North (MCN) was established by Nord University (Bodø) and the four maritime vocational schools in Trøndelag (Rørvik), Nordland (Bodø and Leknes) and Finnmark (Honningsvåg). The aim of MCN is to develop education and trainings to improve the safety and efficiency in Norwegian marine- and maritime sectors. The cooperation in the network encompasses education in primary and secondary levels, courses, and investments in digital infrastructure related to education, research and development.
MCN has world-leading simulator technology for training and education delivered by Kongsberg Digital Transas. MCN has invested in internet-based technology which allows the parties to train and develop personnel at five different locations at the same time. NORDLAB organises joint exercises with other organisations.
European Maritime Simulator Network

NORDLAB is  a partner in  the European simulator network EMSN, which allows us to train and test equipment with other simulator-centres in Europe which all holds different expertise. EMSN focuses on new technology related to traffic control, navigation, and operation of autonomeous units. The EMSN-network gives access to the leading academic community, close cooperation with providers of equipment and the testing and use of the future technology. 
Arctic Safety and Security Network

NORDLAB leads the Arctic Safety and Security network which consists of 22 universities and research institutes in the Universities of the Arctic-umbrella. This network provides another arena for exchanging knowledge and expertise. 

Contact information

             
Odd Jarl Borch
Professor
leder NORDLAB
+47 901 92 674
+47 75 51 76 16
odd.j.borch@nord.no


​Rune Elvegård
Senior adviser
+47 930 09 496
runelv@vgs.nfk.no

​Bengt Thore Hansen
Technical advisor
+47 922 27 034
benhan@vgs.nfk.no

​Natalia Andreassen
Associate Professor

​Daniel Kibsgård
Adviser
daniel.s.kibsgaard@nord.no
Tlf: +47 75 51 79 94