Operasjonssentral

Operasjonssentral is the central command and coordination hub used within emergency services to manage incidents from initial alarm to response and resolution. The term is commonly used in police, fire, ambulance, and civil defense organizations to denote the 24/7 operations room where alarms are received, information is gathered, and resources are deployed.

The primary responsibilities of an Operasjonssentral include receiving emergency calls or alerts, triaging incidents, dispatching appropriate units (patrols, fire crews, ambulances), and coordinating multi‑agency responses. Staffed by dispatchers and supervisors, the center maintains an up‑to‑date overview of available personnel, vehicles, equipment, and ongoing incidents. It also monitors situational factors such as weather, traffic, and public safety risks, and serves as a communication node between on‑scene commanders, hospitals, traffic centers, and other agencies. In larger organizations, the Operasjonssentral may host a command post for major incidents or disasters.

Technically, the Operasjonssentral relies on computer‑aided dispatch systems, radio networks, mapping and incident‑log software, and integration with national alerting and information systems. Records kept at the center support after‑action reviews, performance monitoring, and interagency coordination during future events.

Variations exist by country and agency; some jurisdictions maintain separate police, fire, and health operation centers, while others operate a combined joint operations center. See also: joint operations center, emergency communications center.