Several Danish mayors are criticizing the Minister for Emergency Management, Torsten Schack Pedersen, due to the absence of a clear plan for how municipalities should act in the event of a crisis. This lack of guidance is causing anxiety and uncertainty among citizens, according to Johannes Lundsfryd Jensen, the mayor of Middelfart and chairman of the Climate and Environment Committee of the Association of Local Authorities in Denmark (KL).

KL has repeatedly informed the minister about the challenges municipalities face regarding local preparedness. The lack of a concrete plan means that citizens’ experiences during a crisis may vary significantly between municipalities, depending on the level of emergency preparedness in each.

Helsingør Municipality Mayor Benedikte Kiær shares Jensen’s concerns and says she believes the minister is not interested in the municipalities.

In early April, all 98 Danish municipalities received a letter from the Agency for Community Safety urging them to strengthen their emergency preparedness. This call followed a report that assessed Denmark’s risk and threat level as the highest since World War II. The municipalities were advised to secure access to essential resources like electricity, water, and heating in case of disruptions.

In response to the criticism, Minister Torsten Schack Pedersen stated in a written response that he maintains “good dialogue” with KL and other relevant ministries regarding advising the municipalities. He declined to be interviewed.

Following the Agency for Community Safety’s recommendation in April, Jensen called for more specific guidelines, including clarity on how long municipalities should be prepared to care for elderly and vulnerable citizens, and on the responsibility for food preparedness for those who receive home deliveries.