Urban avalanche search and rescue operations in Longyearbyen: A study of public-private cooperation

The two urban avalanches in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, in 2015 and 2017 were unexpected and fast developing, with trying conditions and consequences both for people buried by the snow, and for people coming to their rescue. The fatality rate increases rapidly as the minutes pass if people are buried by the snow. Thus, successful rescue if buried by an avalanche depends on a prompt response. The aim of this paper is to discuss the role of the local population in urban avalanche search and rescue. Empirical data was collected from 8 months of fieldwork in Longyearbyen, including interviews with representatives of public and private organisations and the local population, as well as literature surveys on the population's involvement in acute crises, reports and newspaper articles. People are often present when crises strike. Many of them have the knowledge, training and equipment to be a valuable resource in avalanche search and rescue.