Text: Line Njaa Viste
It is Pål Erland, Emergency Response Manager and responsible for the Operators’ Centre for Evacuees and Next of Kin (OSEP) in OFFB, who has spearheaded the annual gatherings and exercises in Brønnøysund, Bergen and Stavanger.

OSEP-exercise in Bergen (Photo: Pål Erland)
Participants from Aker BP, OKEA, Harbour Energy, Securitas, Thon Hotel, the Centre for Crisis Psychology (KfK), the Red Cross, municipal crisis teams and the police took part.
The exercises were based on a simulated offshore incident, focusing on reception, registration and handling of evacuees. Role players—among them local Red Cross volunteers—participated to act as evacuees.
“Excellent cooperation was shown between all parties, resulting in valuable learning for everyone. Training together in ‘peacetime’ means we are all better prepared for the day a real crisis occurs,” says Erland.

First meeting during OSEP-exercise in Brønnøysund.
More about the OSEP service:
- • The Operators’ Centre for Evacuees and Next of Kin (OSEP) is a place for individuals involved in an incident who have not suffered physical injuries. Here, they receive support and help, such as reunification with relatives, counselling services and care.
- • OSEP also serves as a physical meeting point and support centre for next of kin who need information, help, care and counselling.
- • OFFB has established OSEP in several locations along the Norwegian coast: Stavanger, Bergen, Florø, Kristiansund, Brønnøysund and Hammerfest. Each OSEP conducts exercises twice a year.
- • If an incident occurs where personnel need to be transported to shore, the partner hotels will be prepared, rooms made available and necessary resources called in. Qualified personnel such as police, clergy, healthcare workers, operator representatives and other specialists will be present to take care of those affected.




































































