A new Emergency Communications Network in Denmark
The Danish Government has resolved to build a new, emergency network, which will make it possible to communicate across the various agencies during an emergency or a crisis. A negotiation team is now being established under the Danish Agency for Governmental Management ("Økonomistyrelsen", which is part of the Ministry of Finance) headed by a broadly composed steering group.
By Arild Vollan
- We look forward to good co-operation with the Norwegian Public Safety Radio Project, says Jeppe Juul-Andersen of Økonomistyrelsen. Earlier this year he headed a delegation visiting the Project to gain information about the economic and political methods, which have been applied in Norway in order to gather the emergency agencies into one shared network with nationwide coverage.
You may read more in the press release (in Danish only) from the Danish Agency for Governmental Management Økonomistyrelsen).
I am pleased that all the Nordic countries will now have public safety radio networks with nationwide coverage, says Tor Helge Lyngstøl, Head of the Norwegian project He refers to the fact that it will then be possible to establish communication between the emergency agencies in all the Nordic countries.
In Norway, the plan so far has been that the network will have interoperability with the networks in Finland and in Sweden, but after the decision was made in Denmark it will also be logical to establish interconnection with the Danish network
There is a job to be done first regarding coordination of frequencies and set up of separate talk groups. That will eliminate technical barriers which have until now prevented the emergency and rescue service agencies in these countries from cross-border communication.
- Besides, it is important to exchange experiences, and we look forward to good co-operation also with Danish authorities, says Tor Helge Lyngstøl. He points out that we now have an approach, which implies that all European countries will soon be linked through seamless, nationwide digital emergency networks. Finland, Sweden and Norway will have networks based on the TETRA technology, and there are indications TETRA will also be preferred in Germany. My understanding is that there will be a technology neutral competition in Denmark, while at the same time it is clear that cross-border communication is simplified if there is a common technology platform.
- The decision in Denmark simplifies the co-operation between emergency and rescue agencies across national borders and makes it more efficient. Eventually, we will get a safer and more secure everyday life for inhabitants in all European countries, states Tor Helge Lyngstøl.
Published 05.04.2006 Last update 15.09.2006
