"It's always good to know that you'll be getting the necessary information," says resident Anne Kristin Stigen.

 

Text and voice messages are sent via the phone network to several thousand people simultaneously, and messages can be sent to the 110 emergency exchange about the need for evacuation support or other assistance.

 

Security
A successful exercise with the new system was carried out in November 2009.

 

"Feedback from of the exercise was uniformly positive" says Gassco project manager Are Jacobsen. "A warning system over the phone network increases people's sense of security."

 

Anne Kristin Stigen agrees. She lives alongside the pipeline route at Kvalavåg on Karmøy island, and participated in the exercise.

 

"After all, we don’t know how these pipelines work, what might happen and how things are organised if something were to happen, she points out. "So it's good to get a clear message about what we should do."

 

Recommended

Following the exercise, a separate evaluation group recommended continued use of the system, which will be operated by the 110 exchange in Haugesund.

 

Ms Stigen regards this implementation as very good. "It's not that we've been worried before, because we wouldn't be living here at all then," she says with a laugh.

 

"But it's always good to know that you'll receive the necessary information, and that someone is charged with taking care of you should anything happen.

 

Positive 
Other residents she has spoken to are also happy about the initiative. "It is particularly positive for the oldest people in the area," she explains. "This is an easy way for them to get information and request the necessary assistance."