Emergency Management in the Republic of Ireland: A rising tide has lifted all boats.

1. Emergency Management in the Republic of Ireland:A rising tide has lifted all boats. Caroline McMullan Ph.D DCU Business School Dublin, Ireland

2. Historically a Low Priority • Geographic position • Weather storms occur but seldom result in loss of life • Relatively low level of industry • Small & dispersed population • Neutral in cold war • In the past relatively poor therefore resources needed for development not available

3. History of Emergencies • Great Famine (mid 1800s) • Spanish Flu (1918/19) • “The Troubles” (late 1960s +) • Whiddy Oil Terminal Explosion (1979) • Buttevant Rail Crash (1980) • The Stardust (1981) • Air India Crash (1985) • Severe Weather (Winter 2009/2010)

4. Hazards & Vulnerabilities • Natural events – small island nation • Human/Animal disease & Public Health • Major Industrial Accidents (proximity to Nuclear plant in England) • Serious Transport Accidents • Terrorism • Isolation

5. Development – 2 planes • Strategic, advisory level – Office of Emergency Planning, Department of Defence. Key Function – to provide guidance & advise at governmental level. • Operational/Response level – Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government. (This will be focus of my presentation)

6. Emergence of Emergency Mgt • Some activity during 1970s (Health Sector) • Increased importance after Buttevant & Stardust Disasters plus Severe Blizzards (1982) • 1984 Framework developed – remained in place for more than 20 years! • 2004 turning point – Inter-agency Review Working Group established to review 1984 Framework • Group produced “A Framework for Major Emergency Management” (2006)

7. The Framework • Hazard Analysis • Mitigation • Planning and Preparedness • Response • Recovery Five-Stage Emergency Management Paradigm (A Framework for Major Emergency Management 2006 s.1.7)

8. Taking the lead • The Principal response agencies(PRAs) for major emergencies occurring in Ireland are An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive & the Local Authorities • The PRAs lead the implementation of the Framework • In general the response will be initiated by the three principal emergency services (PES), which deal with “normal” emergencies as part of their everyday work – An Garda Síochána, the Ambulance Service & the Fire Service.

9. Purpose • sets out arrangements which will facilitate the principal emergency services in scaling-up the response required, so as to utilise the full resources of the PRAs, and to work together in the management of large-scale incidents. • provides mechanisms for linking the work of the PRAs with Government. • sets out arrangements by which other services, such as the Defence Forces, voluntary emergency services, utilities, transport companies, industrial, the communities affected can support & work with the PRAs.

10. Story so far… • Designed, developed & implemented by dedicated & enthusiastic team • Logical, well-justified document supported by impressive guidance documents • High level of engagement during planning phase- Huge leap forward in terms of preparedness! • Launch of first E.M. in DCU – Sept 2007 • Live across country since 30 Sept 2008 • Used to good effect a number of times – visible impact during recent crises

11. More to do… • Not underpinned by legislation • Fear momentum may be lost • Learn from experience & review post-incident • Ring-fence public finance: more difficult with recession • PRAs need to continue to invest in people & resources • Focus on building resilience & response capability across the nation

12. Any Questions?