Aims & Objectives

The aim of this project is twofold. We first investigate the nature of emergency service provision in Sweden in face of the changes in supply and forms of emergency and rescue services. Then, focusing particularly in rural areas, and in particular groups and services, we assess how the on-going transformation of emergency service provision affects everyday life of those groups living in most sparsely populated areas. The inter-connectivity of local and regional structures is of interest as well as the local to local connectivity. We will explore how rural communities are positioned in networks of interdependence; if they cooperate and/or if there are unnoticed possibilities for learning and cooperation. The aim here is to identify and examine challenges and opportunities related to rural emergency and rescue services in rural areas. These aims are going to be achieved by:​

1. mapping the supply of rural emergency and rescue services (the nature and distribution of the emergency and rescue services in rural areas) vis-à-vis the transformation of the organization of these services

1. applying a critical perspective by asking how for example gender relations, age and ethnicity are active and intersect in the formulation and pursuance of power structures when these emergency services are delivered and consumed.

1. dealing with challenges and identifying opportunities to solve emergency service provision by developing in-depth studies of communities, networks and individual experiences. This involves several perspectives such as the emergency organizations themselves (police, fire brigade etc.), local key actors involved in planning or rescue services (including civil society and private companies) as well as dependent citizens.