Text and photo: Line Viste
Johannes Skjæveland Eide is a paramedic and is now studying for a Master’s degree in Risk Analysis with a focus on risk governance at the University of Stavanger. During a visit to OFFB arranged by his student association, he spoke with Head of Planning and Emergency Response, Ann Christin Auestad, and Chief of Staff, Kim Sviland, about the possibility of gaining practical experience in emergency response work.
That opportunity came this autumn through the course “Practical Training in Risk Analysis.” The goal is to connect academic studies with the professional job market.
“To truly understand the core of applied risk, it’s a clear advantage to get experience from a company. This is a unique opportunity to see how risk assessments are actually carried out in practice,” says Johannes Skjæveland Eide.
Close to Valuable Expertise
The student has now been working with us full-time for five weeks and has used the time to get familiar with how an emergency response organization is structured and operates. He has gained insight into how cooperation agreements, training, exercises, and operational response are set up and is already involved in planning an exercise with a strong focus on injury to personel. In the exercise planning, he draws on both theoretical knowledge and experience from his previous education and work as a paramedic.
“Having worked on the tactical level as a paramedic, it’s interesting to now be working more on the operational level while being close to experts in these fields. At OFFB, I really get to use both the ‘nerdy’ analytical side and the hands-on operational side of crisis management,” he says.
At OFFB, several staff members have education and long experience in risk-related work, but apply it in different ways within their specific areas of expertise. Eide highlights this as one of the most exciting and educational aspects of being at OFFB.
“Here, you have people with expertise in everything from healthcare to well control, ICT, and strategic crisis communication with media handling. It’s really exciting to see how risk is assessed and managed at the frontlines,” says Eide.
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“I don’t really think the specific year matters. Emergency response is a fundamental value. It’s often said that the first sign of civilization is the healed remains of a broken bone. At its core, emergency response is about safety and trust between people,” the student reflects.
A Relationship of Mutual Dependence
At the University of Stavanger (UiS), they are also pleased with the collaboration.
“Risk and safety as a field at UiS is in many ways closely tied to practice. The master’s programs in Risk and Societal Safety at UiS provide a solid foundation for participating in, shaping, and developing future society from a sustainable, climate-friendly, and safety-conscious perspective,” says Professor Bjørn Ivar Kruke from the Faculty of Science and Technology.
He emphasizes that the relevance of risk and safety education at UiS depends on close contact with the field of practice. Therefore, opportunities for both students and academic staff to engage in professional discussions and exchanges with actors working in risk, safety, and response are crucial for academic development.
“At the same time, a lot of learning also happens in the field of practice, where academia can contribute with new perspectives. In that way, there is a mutual dependency between academia and the field. When theory and practice go ‘hand in hand,’ they complement each other in a meaningful way. Opportunities for this type of exchange arise when practitioners open their doors to students writing bachelor’s and master’s theses, as well as for internships in relevant safety and response organizations,” says Kruke.
That’s something OFFB’s Head of Planning and Emergency response, Ann Christin Auestad, wholeheartedly agrees with.
“It’s important for us at OFFB to stay connected to the academic community and not just focus on the operational side. It’s healthy for us as an organization to be observed with fresh eyes and to be challenged. I also think it’s valuable for students to get an inside look at all the different activities that goes on in an emergency response organization,” says Auestad, adding that it’s especially positive when students are proactive and dare to contribute ideas—something Eide has already shown he’s willing to do.
A six-week break from the internship at OFFB is now approaching. During this time, Johannes will be heading to Svalbard to attend the course “Emergency Response and Response in the Arctic” at UNIS – The University Centre in Svalbard.
“I think the stay in Svalbard will be both exciting and educational. Overall, I believe this semester will be extremely valuable for me. Industry experience is incredibly valuable, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have my internship at OFFB,” says Johannes Skjæveland Eide.
