Ressursene som finner hverandre

Abstract

ABSTRACT Samvirke is a Norwegian word for a concept based upon a type of organisation with traditions going back hundreds of years, as well as a principle for cooperation and collaboration. Still it is something more than and different from collaboration. Samvirke carries values as confidence and common understanding. By tradition, samvirke is based upon voluntary and open membership and democratic governance. Samvirke has been a founding principle for the Norwegian rescue service since it was formally organised during the 1960s. In the preparatory documents it was clearly expressed that the basis for all rescue services in Norway was the deeply rooted willingness to help when accidents occur. The rescue services concern the whole society, and the state uses its own resources as well as making it possible for voluntary organisations and private enterprises to contribute with their capacity and competence. After the terror attacks in Oslo and at Utøya on July 22nd, 2011 the principle of samvirke was promoted as one of the nationwide principles to ensure a better organising of work related to societal safety and emergency preparedness. It requires an overarching approach that should not be restricted to formalised structures, but also has to include knowledge about local conditions and voluntary efforts. The principle of samvirke therefore should not be regarded as an executive governance principle from above. From a historical as well as a contemporary viewpoint it seems to be well founded in Norwegian emergency preparedness and contingency practice as both a form of organising the resources and a way of working on the local level when incidents must be handled.