Majeuresituasjoner

Majeuresituasjoner are a classification used in Norwegian emergency management to denote incidents that pose significant risks to public safety, health, or infrastructure. The term, derived from the French word for “major,” is applied when an event exceeds the capacity of local first responders and requires coordination of multiple agencies, such as police, fire, ambulance, and civil protection.

The criteria for declaring a majeure situation include factors such as the number of casualties, potential for mass casualties, large-scale property damage, environmental hazards, or threats to critical infrastructure. Decision makers rely on established protocols and real‑time information to assess the severity. Once a situation is declared major, command and control structures are activated, often under the National Civil Protection Office, and resources are mobilised from national reserves if necessary.

Majeuresituasjoner are distinct from routine incidents, for which local units handle the response, and from “anbefaling,” an advisory category for non‑critical but noteworthy events. The classification streamlines communication among agencies and ensures that the appropriate level of personnel, equipment, and funding is deployed. In practice, serious road accidents with multiple injuries, large fires, widespread flooding, chemical spills, or mass attacks can trigger a majeure.

The approach underscores Norway’s commitment to a coordinated, proportionate response to emergencies, balancing local autonomy with national oversight. Standard operating procedures are regularly updated to reflect lessons learned from past incidents and evolving threat landscapes.