A commitment to strengthening preparedness and resilience

Together with Ferd, the IKM Group, and the Thon Group, we have assessed the resources that these owner groups actually possess and that can be mobilized in the event of a serious crisis or war.

How many vehicles can be deployed if a major flood blocks the roads in a region? Who can provide electricians, repair shops, or sleeping accommodations on short notice? 

Until now, no one has mapped the availability of resources in the private sector. Norway’s national security strategy concludes that the private sector must be more closely integrated into emergency preparedness and total defense planning. At the same time, the Office of the Auditor General points out that there is a lack of a comprehensive overview of civilian emergency response resources for the Armed Forces in the event of a crisis or war.

This is the background for the “Resource Alliance” pilot collaboration. The owner groups Ferd, IKM Group, Thon Group, and Aars recognize the urgency of strengthening emergency preparedness and have expressed a strong desire to contribute something concrete from the private sector. We have therefore joined forces to build a database of our combined resources (equipment, infrastructure, and expertise) that can be mobilized to strengthen Norway’s total defense.

“We have the ability, the desire, and the will to contribute,” says Johan H. Andresen, owner and chairman of Ferd. 

The Resource Alliance seeks a permanent, central point of contact—a counterpart within the government—to ensure planning, coordination, and follow-up. The Resource Alliance is in dialogue with key stakeholders in the government and the business community regarding how a long-term and structural collaboration can be developed.

“If resources are to be utilized effectively, clear structures for responsibility, mobilization, and collaboration must also be established,” says Ståle Kyllingstad, owner and chairman of the board at IKM Gruppen.

A survey conducted by NHO among companies in Eastern Norway shows that only one in three businesses feels they are part of Norway’s emergency preparedness. Six out of ten companies say they want to contribute more to overall emergency preparedness, but emergency preparedness cannot be left to the government alone. 

“We don’t believe that emergency preparedness is something we can outsource to the government so that we can say, ‘It’s not our responsibility.’ Ultimately, it ends up being our responsibility.” If 80 percent of what is needed to keep a society functioning during a crisis or war lies with the business sector, then we cannot outsource it,” says Alexander Woxen, head of strategy and business development at Aars.

Searchable by region and scenario

The database shows that the companies participating in the pilot collectively have thousands of resources available throughout Norway, such as vehicles and hotel rooms, electricians, IT experts, healthcare personnel, and repair shops. It also contains information on shopping centers, commercial buildings, pharmacies, and laboratories. The overview is searchable by sector, type of capability, region, and emergency scenario. For example, it can identify what relevant resources are available in a given region in the event of major flooding.

At Aars, we’re participating in this initiative because we believe every contribution will count if a crisis strikes. And we know there are many more in the business community who want to contribute. Individually, we can each contribute a little. Together and within a structured framework, we can contribute a great deal. But the work must be done before a potential crisis occurs. This is a shared responsibility, and authorities and the business community should establish a structured, long-term partnership now.

Read more about the Resource Alliance (link to external website) here.