Emergency Management

The Emergency Management Unit was established in 2010 to support Fingal County Council to meet its obligations as a Local Authorities under “A Framework for Major Emergency Management” (www.mem.ie).  Fingal County Council is a Principle Response Agency and works closely with the two other Principle Response Agencies, An Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive to in regard to all aspects of Emergency Management.

Fingal County Council, in conjunction with the other Principle Response Agencies, has drafted a risk assessment for the County through the identification of specific hazards and assessing their impact.  Once the risks have been identified, mitigation measures to reduce or remove the risk through proper planning and development are implemented.   However, where a risk cannot be eliminated, it must be managed through good systems and regulation.  Finally if a Major Emergency does occur, Fingal County Council must be ready to lead a response to the incidents and ensure the most efficient deployment of resources.  In order to meet this response role, Fingal County Council has to ensure that council staff receive appropriate training for the roles they must undertake.  Staff must also understand the council’s obligations and roles under Framework.  In all cases it is vital that the Local Authority response is coordinated with the two other Principle Response Agencies, An Garda Síochána & Health Service Executive as well as with other state agencies and private sector companies as necessary.

The Emergency Management Unit are active participants at local, regional and national level committees dealing with various aspects of Major Emergencies.  The unit organises and delivers training and exercises on an interagency basis and participates in local training.  The Emergency Management Officer is a designated multiagency trainer for the region for Information Management and Onsite Coordination.  He also assists in provision of training to other Local Authorities in the region

In addition, to this formalised activity, the Emergency Management Unit is involved with engagement activity across the emergency management sector.   In particular the EMU has excellent links with Dublin City University’s Executive Business School.  The unit collaborates on research related to Emergency Management as well as participating in exchange and networking events.  Both DCU and Fingal County Council are keen to exploit opportunities for the improvement of emergency management planning and response within Ireland.