Fire and Rescue Service Preparedness : Current Planning for Natural Hazards and the Role of Early Detection

Despite various ongoing international initiatives, the intensity and frequency of weather-related natural hazards is expected to continue to increase globally. Increasing our understanding of how to mitigate the consequences of such natural hazards through better detection, planning and preparedness, has constituted the overarching objective of this thesis. The thesis is based on three papers: Paper I identifies early detection methods through a literature study and evaluates their applicability to Sweden through interviews with Swedish experts; Paper II applies a method for multi-hazard assessment across Sweden; and, Paper III investigates how the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) conduct planning and preparedness to mitigate the consequences of natural hazards using a survey and interviews, both nationally and internationally. A total of eight detection methods were identified and analysed within the research. Advantages and disadvantages with each were discussed with Swedish experts. The expert evaluation indicated that Sweden has an opportunity to build wildfire detection on weather radar, radar/satellite combinations, and/or airborne radar but that more work is needed to develop existing systems. Nonetheless, early detection was indicated as important in support of an early and successful response to wildfires. It has also been identified that the Swedish FRS see a need to focus on improving their predictive capabilities to respond to natural hazards. Further, the Swedish FRS indicated positive experience of cross functional cooperation, although this has generated some uncertainty of stakeholder responsibilities. Both Swedish and international FRS have a generally positive attitude to using new digital tools to improve their planning and preparedness towards natural hazards and specifically indicated a need for decision support and visualisation tools. In conclusion, these findings generate valuable knowledge for the FRS globally, to improve their planning processes and preparedness for natural hazards.