January 16, 2025
Now the Hard Part Begins
Yesterday, January 15 2025, the new emergency preparedness agreement was presented, and it is a step in the right direction to strengthen Denmark’s preparedness in the face of increasingly complex threat landscapes. As a participant in the Radio4 debate this morning, where we discussed the key elements of the agreement, it became clear that there are both positive indications and significant challenges we must not overlook. In particular, the focus on education and preparedness exercises needs to be intensified, and there is a need to strengthen the role of municipalities in the overall emergency preparedness framework.
One of the main criticisms raised during today’s debate was the lack of focus on municipal boards. While municipalities handle around 40,000 cases annually, they are only involved in about 300 of these at the sector level. This imbalance highlights a structural lag in how municipal preparedness is integrated and supported. Municipalities often hold the key to crisis management at the local level, and it is crucial that we not only view preparedness as a state matter but also recognize and strengthen the role of municipal actors. A clearer strategy and more education for municipal decision-makers are needed so that they can act quickly and effectively during a crisis.
Another important area is the focus on education and preparedness exercises. The new emergency preparedness agreement includes a basic recognition of the need to train and prepare all actors involved in preparedness. It also outlines plans for a hybrid exercise in 2025 (KRISØV), which will also involve municipalities. This is an important simulation that combines physical and digital elements of crisis management. We live in a world where crises are rarely isolated to one sector or type of threat. A hybrid exercise, which includes both physical and cyber-related scenarios, is not only relevant but absolutely necessary to ensure we are strong across all domains. However, I would point out that a one-off exercise is not enough; ongoing exercises are essential to maintain competencies within preparedness.
In the area of cybersecurity, the emergency preparedness agreement is a step in the right direction. We are now seeing a political acknowledgment of the critical importance of cybersecurity for our national security and the need for further cooperation and funding. This is a necessary first step, but it is just the beginning. Solid analytical work must be done to form the foundation for a national cyber strategy. This strategy should not be a static plan, but rather a dynamic tool that is regularly revised as the threat landscape evolves. I would argue that the strategy to be implemented must be revisited and adjusted annually to reflect both technological developments and changing threats.
It is clear that emergency preparedness is a collective responsibility that lies not only with the state but also with municipalities, businesses, and civil society. The agreement presented today is an important step toward strengthening our national preparedness. But now we must follow up with concrete actions to ensure that all actors are properly equipped to handle future crises. We cannot afford to wait until we are struck by a major crisis before we realize how much work remains.
3 Calls to Action
- Educate the public and businesses so they can make informed decisions
Targeted education and training are needed to ensure that both the public and businesses can make informed and effective decisions about how to best protect their operations, as well as how to respond during a crisis. - Strengthen emergency preparedness cooperation, including requirements for individual business preparedness plans
To optimize crisis management, both public and private actors must collaborate more closely, and businesses must have binding preparedness plans integrated into the national strategy. - Ensure ongoing hybrid exercises
Ongoing hybrid exercises, which combine physical and digital scenarios, are essential to prepare all actors for the complex threats we face.