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Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority

Nuclear and Radiological Preparedness in Norway

Nuclear preparedness in Norway is organised around the Crisis Committee for Nuclear and Radiological Preparedness. The Crisis Committee consists of representatives from central authorities with a special responsibility in dealing with a radiological and nuclear incident.

Last updated: 19. mars 2021 14:13

IN SHORT

The nuclear preparedness organisation has been created to provide expertise to deal with radiological and nuclear incidents and to ensure rapid implementation of measures to protect lives, health, the environment and other important social interests.

The nuclear preparedness organisation comprises:

  • The Crisis Committee for Nuclear and Radiological Preparedness,
  • Advisors to the Crisis Committee,
  • Secretariat of the Crisis Committee,
  • The county governors and the governor of Svalbard as the regional arm of the Crisis Committee.

The Crisis Committee

The Crisis Committee for Nuclear and Radiological Preparedness is responsible for and mandated to take measures to reduce the impact of a nuclear accident. The Crisis Committee is given this authority under the Royal Decree of 23.08.2013.

The Crisis Committee consists of representatives from: 

  • The Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA)
  • The Norwegian Armed Forces 
  • The Norwegian Directorate of Health
  • The Norwegian Food Safety Authority
  • The National Police Directorate
  • The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • The Norwegian Coastal Administration  
  • The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB)

The DSA chairs and provides the secretariat of the Crisis Committee. The DSA also has a member on the Crisis Committee.

Organisational chart for the Norwegian nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness and response organisation
Organisational chart for the Norwegian nuclear and radiological emergency preparedness and response organisation.

Advisors to the Crisis Committee

The Crisis Committee’s advisors consist of representatives from institutions and agencies with specialist expertise relating to nuclear preparedness and response, or expertise that may be needed during a nuclear or radiological emergency. In the event of a nuclear incident, the advisors will act as a specialist support apparatus for the Crisis Committee. 

The county governors and the governor of Svalbard

The county governors and the governor of Svalbard are the regional arm of the Crisis Committee. In the event of a nuclear incident, they will coordinate communication and crisis management, and assist in implementing coordinated measures at the regional and local level.

Municipal emergency preparedness

Norwegian municipalities must also have up-to-date contingency plans for nuclear preparedness.

The role of the DSA

The director of the DSA chairs the Crisis Committee. The DSA is also a member and provides the secretariat of the Crisis Committee. 

In the day-to-day emergency preparedness work, the secretariat will run courses and drills and establish good lines of communication within the emergency response organisation. In the event of a nuclear incident, the DSA is responsible for gathering and processing information and measurement data, preparing forecasts and situation reports, and presenting proposals for action. 

Regulations

In constitutional terms, Norwegian nuclear preparedness falls under the Ministry of Health and Care Services and is based in the Royal Decree and the Radiation Protection Act.

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