Abstract:

Effective collaboration between the police and emergency services is essential for joint crisis responses. The study investigates interprofessional collaboration between the Norwegian Police Service and the Norwegian Fire and Rescue Service, emphasizing how shared goals and internalized relational factors contribute to effective emergency response. Using a mixed-methods approach, both quantitative and qualitative data was investigated. Data from 46.000 assignments was extracted from the Norwegian Police Operational System (PO) and analyzed. In addition, data were collected through semi-structured focus group interviews with police officers from multiple districts. A theoretical framework based on D'Amour et al. and Helgesen, interprofessional education (IPE), interprofessional practice (IPP) and communities of practice (CoP) is applied to analyze collaboration processes, emphasizing the two dimensions shared goals and visions and internalization. Findings regarding shared goals and visions revealed that both services perceive they are working toward common objectives, primarily focused on public safety. These goals are value-based, not just operational, and are internalized as part of professional identity. Shared goals facilitate coordination. Findings regarding internalization revealed that trust, familiarity, and mutual knowledge are essential for translating shared goals into effective action. Trust develops through repeated interactions, physical proximity, and joint experiences. Co-location of dispatch centers and pre-established relationships enhance collaboration. Findings regarding CoP indicate that emergency personnel resemble a CoP as they have a shared domain (public safety), community (collaborative engagement), and practice (joint operational knowledge). Findings further indicate that shared goals and visions provide a unifying orientation aligning well with the concept of CoP. To achieve a more cohesive and integrated emergency response, the study concludes that joint training across emergency services is essential. Such training in the form of interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional practice (IPP) would improve understanding of roles, competencies, and responsibilities, while fostering a stronger interprofessional collaboration culture. IPE and IPP are critical for fostering collaboration. Joint training improves: role clarity, communication, and shared values. Recommendations include integrating IPE and IPP into formal curricula at both the Norwegian Police University College and the Norwegian Fire and Rescue Service.

Keywords:

Joint education and training, interprofessional collaboration, police, fire and rescue services, interprofessional education (IPE), interprofessional practice (IPP), communities of practice (CoP).