Major Emergency Management
A substantial volume of Major Emergency Management work is carried out by Donegal County Fire Service both within County Donegal and the North-West region.
A Major Emergency is defined as any event which, usually with little or no warning, causes or threatens death or injury, serious disruption of essential services or damage to property, the environment or infrastructure beyond the normal capabilities of the principal emergency services in the area in which the event occurs, and requires the activation of specific additional procedures and the mobilisation of additional resources to ensure an effective, co-ordinated response.
Emergency management is fundamentally about ensuring that the necessary planning, preparedness, training and co-ordination is in place to enable Donegal County Council meet the challenges posed by emergencies.
The approach to emergency management is based on continual hazard analysis, mitigation, planning, preparedness and recovery arrangements.
To help prepare effectively for dealing with potential emergencies, Donegal County Council assesses local area hazards and specific risks. This risk-based approach informs mitigation, planning and preparedness development.
As part of this approach, Donegal County Council has prepared a Major Emergency Management Plan.
Donegal County Fire Service, supported by other sections of the Local Authority, and in consultation with the Principal Response Agencies of An Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive, regularly conducts emergency exercises as an integral and proactive approach to emergency management.