Managing emergencies: Government updates 22-year-old framework

THE Government yesterday announced it has updated its 22-year-old framework for managing major emergencies.

Environment Minister Dick Roche issued the new protocols to local authorities, An Garda Siochána and the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The framework will set out a clear protocol and coordination guidelines for all agencies responding to major emergencies.

The occurrences envisaged include a nuclear safety emergency, a public health emergency (such as an influenza pandemic) or an animal health emergency (such as the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001 or a possible avian flu outbreak).

“This new framework replaces an existing framework which was first issued in 1984,” said Mr Roche. “It builds on experience and best practice since then both here and in other countries.”

“We have seen how local emergency plans have worked to good effect in recent times, for example, at the time of the Kentstown bus crash in Co Meath last year”.

“This Framework builds on the strengths of the current regimes and provides a modern updated structure for local major emergency response for the coming years.”