A Rule Based Risk Management System Based on Maps and Danger Level

Abstract

After a tragic accident where 16 soldiers were killed in an avalanche during a military exercise in 1986, the Norwegian Armed Forces took several steps to ensure the safety of soldiers. The result is a risk management system that relies on avalanche maps and an avalanche bulletin. Avalanche maps show potential avalanche release areas (Zone 1) and potential run-out areas (Zone 2). During military exercises an avalanche bulletin is produced every day by an experienced avalanche group. Restrictions in areas available for ground maneuvering are imposed by using military regulations for each of the danger levels in the European avalanche danger scale. The result is a risk management system that is in wide use in the Norwegian Armed Forces.