After 45 years at Herøya Industrial Park, Terje Heidenstrøm is retiring from his role as professional lead in the emergency preparedness unit. His long career began in 1980 as a summer worker on the docks at Hydro’s factories, and over the decades he has held roles in security, emergency response, and training.
Started as a summer temp
Originally from Narvik, Heidenstrøm moved south intending to join the armed forces, but instead found a career at Hydro.
“I started as a quay guard, then moved to the main control room, and eventually joined the emergency response team,” he recalls. His training from military service in chemical handling and diving later became vital parts of his work in industrial safety.
Administration and coordination
After a back injury prevented him from continuing active duty, he took on an administrative position, organising courses, exercises, and coordination for four emergency teams.
Despite major organisational changes – as Hydro’s operations became Avarn Security Beredskap AS – his dedication never wavered.
Heidenstrøm says what he values most is the team spirit: “There has to be strong trust within a response team that handles crises. Everyone’s a mate, but when the alarm goes, we’re professionals to the core.”
Active in organisations
Beyond work, he has been active in trade unions, the Humanist Association, and his local housing cooperative. Now retired, he plans to spend more time with family and at his cabin in Drangedal – though he intends to stay involved in the organisations he cares about.
Text/photo: Ole Bjørn Ulsnæs obu@skribenten.no
AI assisted translation to English
