This coming Wednesday, an "unexpected" incident will impact thousands of people at Nord University in Bodø, Norway. Øvelse Nord 2017 is a large scale crisis simulation that aims to be as realistic as possible.
- This simulation is an important arena for interaction between different authorities. It aims to better equip society to respond to and manage emergency situations, says Arne Brinchmann, Head of Organisation at Nord University.
Risk assessment
The crisis simulation is based on risk assessments conducted by the Norwegian Police Security Services, the Directorate of Civil Protection and Emergency, and military intelligence services.

As realistic as possible. 'Øvelse Nord 2017' could be one of the world's
largest university crisis simulations. (Above and top photo: Grethe Elvenes,
Nord University/Archive).
The
simulation is the 10th annual crisis simulation at Nord University and will
include up to 4,000 individuals, as well as a significant amount of emergency response
equipment.
Bodø
municipality, police, fire services, Helse Nord (the Northern Norway Regional
Health Authority), the Norwegian Defence Force and Nord University Bodø have
collaborated on crisis simulations for a number of years.

Minister for Defence. Minister
for Defence Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide (Conservatives) will talk about civil
protection and emergency preparedness in the north prior to the simulation.
(Photo: Asgeir Spange Brekke, Ministry of Defence)
Other
participants in this year's crisis simulation are the National
Crisis Support Unit, the Royal Police Escort, Nordland County, the Nordland
County Governor, Fauske Municipality and the Coast Guard.
The press
are invited to follow the crisis simulation.
Focus on crisis
From April
24 – 25, Nord University will host a range of seminars and lectures on the
topic of emergency preparedness and response.
Speakers
include Minister for Defence Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide (Conservatives) and
Lieutenant Colonel Kåre Emil Brændeland.
Brændeland
served as combat medic in Bosnia in 1994 during the Balkan war. In 2014, he
received the Norwegian War Cross with Sword for his efforts in leading the
evacuation of hundreds of patients and next of kin from the hospital in
Gorazde, which was under siege.

Saved many lives. Lieutenant Colonel Kåre Emil Brændeland is a
highly decorated Norwegian Medical Officer who has served in many of the
world's war zones. (Photo: Ministry of Defence).
Read more about Emergency Response Week at Nord University
Press officer during crisis simulation:
Tor Dybdal-Holthe, +47 470 88 428![Call: +47 470 88 428]()