Engangsindsats

Engangsindsats is a Danish term that literally means a single‑time intervention or action. It is used to describe a situation where a government agency, a private organisation or a community group conducts an isolated operation to address a specific problem, after which the situation is considered resolved or no further action is planned. The phrase is often applied in public safety, emergency services, and municipal projects.

In practice, engangsindsatser are common in the context of road safety, where a traffic police unit will organise a one‑off speed‑camera or a temporary traffic control measure at a location that has had a high rate of accidents. They are also used by fire departments when a specialised extinguisher team is dispatched to tackle a particular fire incident that requires specific equipment. Beyond emergency services, the term can describe short‑term aid missions in disaster‑affected areas, where relief teams deliver food, water or medical supplies before withdrawing.

The major advantage of an engangsindsats is the efficient use of resources. By focusing effort on a single problem at a time, agencies can avoid the cost and complexity of long‑term commitments. However, critics argue that repeated one‑off interventions may lead to a lack of continuity, potentially overlooking underlying causes that require sustained change.

Engangsindsats is related to other Danish one‑time intervention concepts such as engangshjælp (one‑time assistance) and engangsuddannelse (single‑session training). These terms share the same underlying principle of a discrete, time‑limited activity aimed at achieving a clear, immediate objective.