Office of Emergency Planning (Ireland)

The Office of Emergency Planning (OEP) is a civil/military body within Ireland's Department of Defence responsible for the co-ordination and oversight of emergency planning between state agencies. It is answerable to the Minister for Defence.^[1]

Structure

The Office of Emergency Planning was established in 2001 to oversee Ireland's emergency planning process. The OEP encompasses both civil and military staff and is located in the Department of Defence Headquarters. The OEP chairs the Government Task Force Subgroups on Emergency Planning. These subgroups comprise senior officials representing government departments and public authorities with support roles in the state's emergency plans.^[2] The Government Task Force on Emergency Planning charges the subgroups with carrying out specific studies and developing particular aspects of emergency planning. The subgroups are the means by which expertise is shared between different government departments and public authorities on emergency planning. Their role is to minimise the potential consequences of any given emergency.^[3]

Major emergencies in Ireland are categorised under;

Severe weather
Flooding
Chemical spills
Transport accidents (air, sea, rail, road)
Accidents at sea
Major pollution incidents at sea
Bomb explosions, terrorism and suspicious packages
Nuclear incidents
Influenza pandemic
Animal disease outbreak^[4]

Government Task Force on Emergency Planning

The Government Task Force on Emergency Planning was formed following the September 11 attacks in 2001 on the United States.^[5] The Task Force is the top-level structure which gives policy and direction to the Office of Emergency Planning, and which coordinates and oversees the emergency planning activities of all government departments and public authorities. The Minister for Defence chairs this Government Task Force, which includes Ministers, senior officials of government departments, senior officers of the Defence Forces, the Garda Síochána and officials of other key public authorities which have a lead or support role in the government's emergency planning.^[1]

Emergency Planning subgroups

Interdepartmental Group on Emergency Planning
Emergency Planning subgroup on National Risk Assessment
Emergency Planning subgroup on Roles & Responsibilities
Emergency Planning subgroup on CBRN
Emergency Planning subgroup on Severe Weather Events
Emergency Planning subgroup on Communications & Flooding
Emergency Planning subgroup on Electricity Contingency Planning
National Steering Group on Major Emergency Management
National Emergency Planning Group on Nuclear Accidents (NEPNA)^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b "Government Structures". Office of Emergency Planning (OEP). Retrieved 11 July 2015.
^ "Draft National Risk Assessment 2015, Overview of Strategic Risks" (PDF). Department of the Taoiseach. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
^ "OEP Frequently asked questions (FAQs)". Office of Emergency Planning. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
^ "Major Emergencies". OEP. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
^ "Emergency Planning Objectives" (PDF). OEP, Dept. of Defence. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
^ "Annual Report 2013" (PDF). Department of Defence and Defence Forces. Retrieved 13 July 2015.

External links

Office of Emergency Planning (Department of Defence) official website

[oep_1-1] "Government Structures". Office of Emergency Planning (OEP). Retrieved 11 July 2015.

[2] "Draft National Risk Assessment 2015, Overview of Strategic Risks" (PDF). Department of the Taoiseach. Retrieved 11 July 2015.

[3] "OEP Frequently asked questions (FAQs)". Office of Emergency Planning. Retrieved 11 July 2015.

[4] "Major Emergencies". OEP. Retrieved 11 July 2015.

[5] "Emergency Planning Objectives" (PDF). OEP, Dept. of Defence. Retrieved 11 July 2015.

[6] "Annual Report 2013" (PDF). Department of Defence and Defence Forces. Retrieved 13 July 2015.

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