Nordland emergency services face potential cuts and facility changes

Emergency preparedness in Nordland, Norway, is facing significant challenges due to proposed reductions in ambulance services and inadequate facilities for first responders.

In Sømna, the ambulance station was moved to Brønnøysund in January 2026, with projected response times for acute incidents expected to increase from 16.5 to 25 minutes. LHL Nordland is calling for the re-establishment of the Sømna station to protect patient safety.

Further proposals from Nordlandssykehuset include removing 24-hour ambulance coverage in Saltdal and Steigen, removing the day ambulance in Meløy, and closing the local station in Tverlandet to consolidate resources in Bodø. In Andøy, the Åse ambulance station is also under review for closure.

In Sande, local responders are advocating for a new joint fire and ambulance station in Larsnes. They argue the current facilities do not adequately protect firefighters from carcinogenic substances and that a centralized station is necessary to secure the future of local ambulance services.