Krisledningar

Krisledningar are organizational structures and processes for leading and coordinating authorities and partners during acute incidents and crises. They are activated when routine operations cannot adequately manage the situation, to establish control, assess risks, and guide response and recovery.

They bring together representatives from police, emergency services, fire and health care providers, municipal and regional authorities, critical infrastructure operators, and, when needed, private sector and non-governmental organizations. The aim is to create a common situational picture, set strategic objectives, and coordinate actions across jurisdictions.

Core functions include decision-making on priorities and resource allocation, information sharing and public communication, inter-agency cooperation, and ensuring continuity of essential functions. The work usually follows a cycle of situational assessment, planning, action, and demobilization, using common tools such as a shared situational picture and escalation protocols.

Krisledningar operate at local, regional, and national levels, activated according to the scale of the event. Local crisis leadership groups may be formed at municipalities, with regional or national structures coordinating larger-scale responses, often under guidelines from national authorities such as the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB).

In practice, krisledningar focus on strategic coordination, resource alignment, and external communication, while routine operations handle execution. They are a central element of Sweden’s crisis management and preparedness framework, complementing planning, training, and drills.