The thing we expect from leadership in authorities is that they dare to act, they dare to make decisions, and what we blame authorities for is the lack of action rather than that they have acted, says Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M).
A number of events in recent years have shown that Sweden's crisis preparedness is not what it should be, according to the government.
One example could be the snow chaos at the beginning of last year when thousands of travellers were stranded in the cold on the E22. Many had to sit for almost a day before they were evacuated.
"Take more risk"
53 emergency authorities are now tasked with ensuring that they have the ability to act proactively and decisively in both peacetime crisis situations and in war.
Bohlin emphasizes that in rapid and unpredictable event sequences, it is generally better to act than not to do so.
It also means that in some respects, one may need to take more risk, he says
Do you promise to back up an authority chief who makes a decision that later turns out to be expensive in vain?
It's hard to issue a blank check in all conceivable contexts, but if one has tried to alleviate an acute problem based on perhaps incomplete decision-making data, and not reached all the way, then there must be greater respect for the circumstances that lay the foundation, says Bohlin.
MSB to provide support
The task is given in the authorities' appropriation directions. The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) is simultaneously tasked with expanding support to the authorities.
The government will also appoint an inquiry to review how Sweden's preparedness can be made more efficient so that the right decisions are made at the right level and at the right time.
