Havtil has been given responsibility for societal safety within its area of authority. This includes contributing to situational awareness and the risk picture.

What is total defence? 

Havtil is part of Norway’s total defence, a collective term for the country’s military dispositions and civil preparedness.  
Total defence covers support and collaboration between the armed forces and civil society over prevention, emergency response planning and operational conditions. 

Its object is to ensure that society is able, in every type of emergency, to keep a functioning national crisis management in being, deal with a large number of injured people, ensure food, water and energy supplies, and maintain communication and transport systems.