2. SEMINAR ON BUILDING COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS AND RESILIENCE THE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE KILLARNEY - 9 March 2012 Sean Hogan

3. Introduction • Short introduction to emergency management arrangements in Ireland • “Framework for Major Emergency Management” for local/ regional co-ordination • National Co-ordination • Systems approach, circular, involving reflection/ learning from experience • Focus on serving those affected, and enabling community and voluntary organisations to collaborate effectively within co-ordination frameworks

4. The Framework for Major Emergency Management 2006 A Framework enabling An Garda Síochána, the Health Services Executive and Local Authorities to prepare for and make a co-ordinated response to major emergencies resulting from local and regional events, such as fires, transport accidents, hazardous substances incidents and severe weather.

5. Milestones in MEM Framework Project • Review commissioned – Nov 04 • Review Process & Drafting – 2005 • Government approval - May 2006 • New Framework • Development Programme 2006 – 08 • National Steering Group • MEDP commenced -12 Sept. 2006 • Cut-over to new system - 30 Sept. 2008 • System used for flooding Nov 09 and Oct 2011, Severe Cold Jan 2010 and Dec 2010, Cork Airport Feb 2011…….

6. Systems Approach • International best practice • Cyclical Process • Hazard Analysis • Mitigation • Planning and Preparedness • Response • Recovery • Embedded in Framework • National Policy

7. MEM Structures in Ireland • New inter-agency structures established and worked at • National Level • NSG/ NWG • Regional Level • RSG/ RWG • Local • Within each PRA sector

8. MEM Risk Assessment Process • MEM RA Process as set out in guidance document used • Provided scenarios for realistic planning and preparedness • Flooding, Haz Mat, Transport, RTA, etc • Basis for current National Risk Assessment process

9. The New Major Emergency Plan • Each PRA has its own tailored MEP • Common format - Common Section Headings • New MEPs adopted for 30 Sept 2008 • Updates

10. Links with other Emergency Plans • New MEP links • to other national emergency plans (NEPNA, Infectious Diseases, Animal) • with site or event specific local emergency plans (SEVESO, Airport, Port, Sporting, Crowd Events etc.) • Supported by documented sub-plans & procedures

11. “Lead Agency” for Co-ordination • Lead Agency given responsibility and mandate for co-ordination function • Senior Rep. of Lead Agency exercises the Co-ordination Role (takes the Chair) • At the Site • At the Local (Off-site) Co-ordination Group • PRAs designated for “lead agency” role in Appendix 7 • Lead Agency uses Generic Co-ordination facilities and Information Management process

12. Local Co-ordination Centres • At least 1 existing building per county designated as LCC • LA HQs selected as being most suitable in many cases • Facilities for on-site co-ordination also

13. The Generic Information Management System • Recognised Current Situation • Key Issues • Objective and Priorities • Actions

14. MEM Framework on Community • Language – Command, Control, Co-ordination, Collaboration, Communication • Relevant Scenarios • Section 3.4.1 – Resilient Communities • Section 5.6.4.4 – The Voluntary Sector • Section 5.6.4.7 – The Community Volunteer • Guidance Document on Working with VES

15. National Level Co-ordination • Government Task Force and Office for Emergency Planning in D/ Defence • Lead Government Department Roles • D/ECLG as LGD for 10 Response Scenarios, including Severe Weather, Nuclear, Fire, Environmental etc • Transport emergencies

16. Multi-Level Co-ordination • Major emergencies managed by local response services • Co-ordination Levels • Site(s); • Local; • Regional; • National; • International • Communication/ information flows between levels

17. “National Co-ordination Group” • Not a standing committee, convened by LGD when situation warrants/ triggers….. • National Emergency Co-ordination Centre in Kildare St, Dublin 2 • Different memberships reflect requirements of situation, and change over duration… • “Whole of Government” objective • Focus for all issues, source of definitive public information, • Stand-down as response phase wound down towards recovery

18. National Co-ordination Groups • Bring together Political, Government Depts, Specialist Agencies, Response Agencies, PR etc to deal with national level issues, to support front-line response, and to ensure public information • Daily meetings for severe weather, part of a rhythm to fit with political & media requirements…. • Generic information management system as basis for managing crisis –anticipate, identify issues and solve problems

19. TOWARDS INTEGRATED EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT • Review of response to severe weather • Ch 2 – Business, Agriculture and Community Engagement • Conclusions and Recommendations • Key Enablers Section

20. Summary • Picture of our co-ordination arrangements - structures, processes and experiences • Co-ordination structure is for multiple organisations involved, and multi-level – both horizontal and vertical • Leadership and Learning • This is context into which we need to develop further and progress community and voluntary involvement

21. Conclusion • Painted in Irish Emergency Management context • Clearly positive direction relating to community engagement • Some experience……. • Some dilemmas……. • Learning today…….