It is already a bit more complicated to live on an island than on the mainland, for example if an ambulance is needed. In a crisis situation, which the authorities are currently asking everyone to prepare for, the hassle as an island resident without a bridge connection to the mainland can become downright life-threatening.
- We would be very vulnerable during a breakdown. There would be no way to communicate off the island, says Signe Olsen, who is a member of the local volunteer emergency response team on Orø.
Orø Volunteer Emergency Response has laid out a clear plan in case the crisis hits. (Photo: © Trine Warrer Juul)
On Orø, the response time for emergency assistance can already be long, as an ambulance must either take a ferry – or a helicopter must be used. That is why the island's local emergency responder team is crucial. They can be on site within 6-7 minutes.
The 112 emergency responders are a group of volunteers who are activated when someone has called the emergency dispatch center. They can arrive on the scene before the official emergency services, they provide an overview, and they can help calm the situation.
But they can only be activated through a telephone connection, and if the power goes out, well, then it can become very difficult.
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No crisis plan for 23 local emergency responder teams
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And because the region does not have a plan for the emergency responder team, Orø has chosen to take matters into its own hands. The island residents have therefore found a local sponsor and are planning to purchase so-called UHF radios.
- The plan is to build a local safety net, where from the community center we can communicate with the emergency responders and establish contact with the emergency dispatch center, says Jannick Ringius, who is part of the volunteer emergency response on Orø.
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What is a UHF radio?
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A UHF radio is a wireless radio that operates at a very high frequency.
UHF stands for Ultra High Frequency.
Recently, the Home Guard held an exercise with the emergency response team on Orø, where, among other things, an antenna was set up at the community center and an antenna in Holbæk.
- And it turned out that we can establish contact with the mainland that way, without a mobile network, says Jannick Ringius.
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Ready for the crisis
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In general, the residents of Orø are well prepared. A clear plan is in place:
In the event of a crisis situation, the island's community center will become a communication hub, where one of the island's fire trucks will be stationed, so that through their SINE connection, they can contact 112.
Holbæk Municipality has also promised to prioritize an emergency power supply for the community center, which is also connected to the island's medical clinic and senior center.
In addition, a crisis folder has been distributed to all households on the island.
The crisis folder has been handed out by the local emergency response team. (Photo: © Trine Warrer Juul)
And on Sunday, there will be a public meeting about the emergency response, involving the volunteer emergency response team, the West Zealand Fire Department, the Emergency Preparedness Association, and Holbæk Municipality's emergency response coordinator.
- It is to create security first and foremost. We know that many on the island are worried, so we think it is important to tell what the island can do, and what we cannot do, in a crisis situation, says Jan Olsen, who, like Signe Olsen, is part of the volunteer emergency response.
And there will be help available depending on what situation the island finds itself in.
- At the community center, we can offer shelter, a listening ear, and a sense of security, Signe Olsen explains.
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