Information needs for Societal Security in the new Threat Environment

Lars Hedström
Deputy Director General
Crisis Management Coordination Secretariat
Prime Minister’s Office, Sweden

How do decision-makers in homeland/societal security positions get the information they need in an all-hazards environment? The all-hazards world requires ability to work with a cross-disciplinary approach and to pick up weak, or contradictory, signals and interpret them correctly, which stands out as a key process. The customer base for all-hazards information is quite diverse, and this creates challenges for experts in designing collection strategies and developing useful products. A part of the solution is more mutual understanding and stronger relationships.

Lars Hedström was previously with the Swedish Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) as Deputy Director General. Before that he held the position as Deputy Director General of the Swedish Rescue Services Agency. In 2000 Mr Hedström was seconded to NATO Headquarters, Civil Emergency Planning Directorate. He is a former Chief Fire Officer. Lars Hedström served as head of mission for the Swedish Search and Rescue Team after the earthquakes in Turkey 1999. In January 2005 he was head of the Swedish Rescue and Support Team in Thailand after the tsunami catastrophe and in October 2005 the Swedish Foreign Ministry requested his assistance in Islamabad after the earthquake in the north of Pakistan.