MSB: Civil Defense is failing on many fronts

[ad_1]

Photo: Henrik Montgomery / TT

Dan Eliasson, managing director of MSB, at the Folk and defense conference at Högfjällshotellet in Sälen.

inTT

Sweden's ability to withstand and deal with crises and wars is profoundly neglected, according to the MSB.

"Today, our total defense capability is not where it should be," Director-General Dan Eliasson tells TT.

He does not rule out that civil liability may need to be reinstated.

There is a further deterioration in the security situation in Europe and in the immediate area of Sweden – but our ability to face the new threats has lagged behind for decades, according to Dan Eliasson, who participates in Folk and the Sälen defense conference.

– There are many fronts, says the director general in an interview with TT.

For example, the last storm of Alfrida shows deficiencies in the electrical systems. Food security is also not sustainable in a crisis, according to Eliasson, who also emphasizes the failure of payment systems as a major risk.

"We need to make a force collection in Sweden to create robust and sustainable systems when it comes to energy, communication, transportation, food, financial services and the like," he says.

Most Vulnerable

However, it can take many years to develop and work needs to be accelerated, he believes.

"Every day, my assessment is that Swedish society is becoming more vulnerable. If something big happens, the state and population in Sweden should be better prepared than they are today.

It emphasizes personal responsibility and is reminiscent of the brochure on crisis and war tips sent to all families last spring.

"It's not like the state comes running after an hour and helps you, but we all have a great responsibility to get ready," he says.

Previously, Sweden had stockpiles of food and medicine.

TT: Do we need this again?

We need more training than today. But then whether it is the state that should have stocks or companies that receive support to stock the state – this still needs to be seen, he says.

An investigator is looking now.

Make more personal

Dan Eliasson also does not rule out that civil liability, which has been dormant since 2008, may need to be activated again.

– We realize that during crises, like this summer in the fires, organizations tire quickly. Working 24-7 for a long time, he strives for essential and personal competence. So you have to find other ways to ensure staffing, he says.

We need more hands and feet. Civil liability can be a way to achieve it, unless other resources are sufficient.

He can not comment on how many people need to be trained.

"We're not there yet."

Another acute problem to be addressed is the digitization and security deficiencies that follow in their path, believes Dan Eliasson. At this time, the trend is moving in the wrong direction.

– The speed of the security work when it comes to scanning is not as fast as the scan itself. This makes us more and more vulnerable and we must reverse this trend now, "he says.

"Many careless"

New technologies such as the Internet of Things (eg smart clocks, standalone cars, remotely controlled lighting), 5G and AI further increase vulnerability.

"Dramatically," says Eliasson.

At the same time, people's awareness of this type of security risk is usually very low, he believes.

– I think many in Sweden are a bit sloppy with passwords, with antivirus and software updates. If you have sensitive information, think about how to handle it.

Facts: total defense

Total defense is the necessary activity to prepare Sweden for war. Total defense consists of military and civil defense.

The armed forces must, with the help of support authorities, maintain a military defense.

Civil defense must ensure that society can deal with situations in which emergency preparedness is lifted. Civil defense is composed of state authorities, municipalities, municipal councils, private companies and NGOs.

Work in our civil defense has been on the decline for many years, but in the light of the deteriorating security policy, the government decided in 2015 that planning should be resumed and civil defense should be developed.

There is still much work to rebuild all parts. This applies, among other things, to shelter issues and the provision of food in situations of war and war.

Source: Government, MSB

Facts: total defense duty

There are three types of total defense duty:

1. recruitment

Implemented in the Swedish Armed Forces. Sweden has a system that combines volunteering with duty. You may be withdrawn with a duty if you are 18 or voluntarily seek the Armed Forces if you are 19 years of age or older. Military service is performed in the army, navy or air force.

2. Civil Duty

It can be done both in military and civil defense and then in activities that the government decides. The civil service is currently inactive, but the government may decide that it should be applied again if necessary.

3. General duty of service

It means that you continue in your regular job, are placed in another workplace, work within a voluntary organization or are assigned by the Public Employment Service to work with something that is particularly important for general advocacy.

Source: dinsakerhet.se

Facts: Crisis and War Tips

Last year, all Swedish families, for the first time in 57 years, received a brochure with crisis and war tips – "If the crisis or the war comes."

The most important is food, water, heat and communication. It is good to have a layer with, for example, potatoes, pasta, preserves, medicines and some water tanks. A battery powered radio for community information is also important, as is an extra battery or the so-called power bank to charge the cell phone when the home unit is turned off. One should not expect anything (except water / toilets) to be found in shelters, for example.

The old engraving "If the War Comes" was launched until 1961 and was strongly influenced by the Cold War.

Now that it is pointed out that foreign power may spread misinformation to deceive the Swedish population. But Sweden never gives up if we are attacked, according to the 1961 and 2018 versions. A classic formulation of hostile propaganda is almost literal:

"All information that resistance must end is false."

Source: MSB

January 14, 2019 06:42

[ad_2]

Source link