Swedish opposition draws ten-point plan for crisis preparedness after massive wildfires
After the vast forest fires in Sweden, the opposition Alliance has presented a ten-point plan to strengthen the handling of civilian crises.
All four Alliance party leaders were at the press conference on Tuesday where the proposals were presented. Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson said “now is not the time for inquiries but for decisions”.
The press conference took place just a few days after the government presented a plan that included a proposal to double the number of emergency service personnel trained annually from 500 to 1,000, and to increase investment in firefighting equipment.
Over the past few weeks, Sweden has experienced a persistent heatwave and has been severely affected by forest fires, primarily in the Jämtland, Dalarna and Gävleborg regions.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Warming Arctic could be at heart of deadly July heatwave, CBC News
Finland: Crews contain fresh wildfires in western Finland, Yle News
Norway: European Arctic swelters under tropical temperatures, breaks heat records, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Forest fires are raging across the Barents region, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Sweden issues first brochure on war and crisis preparedness since Cold War, Radio Sweden
United States: Alaska’s firefighters are ready for wildfire season, Alaska Public Media
