Development of Fire and Rescue Capabilities and cooperation

forthcoming

The Development of Regional Fire and Rescue Capabilities and Cooperation (DRFC) project aims to strengthen disaster risk management and civil protection capacity at the regional level in Central Norway, with strong cross-border relevance. Led by the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB), in close collaboration with the Central Norway Fire and Rescue Consortium (BST), the project addresses current challenges related to fragmented preparedness structures, limited cross-sectoral coordination, and underutilised digital support tools. DRFC is a response to national and regional needs, validated through a feasibility study in 2024 and supported by fire and rescue services representing 41 municipalities. The project is designed to enhance planning, coordination, and operational capability by integrating regional risk analyses, cross-sectoral cooperation frameworks, and scenario-based preparedness planning. It will also develop and test digital tools to support decision-making and resource coordination. DRFC supports key Union Civil Protection Mechanism priorities, including improved forecasting, cross-sectoral coordination, and scalability of preparedness practices. It contributes directly to Disaster Resilience Goals (DRG 1, 3, and 5) by enhancing the ability to anticipate, prepare for, and manage crises at regional and cross-border levels.