INTRODUCTION TO A GUIDE TO WORKING WITH THE VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICES 1 INTRODUCTION TO A GUIDE TO WORKING WITH THE VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY SERVICES ‘A Framework for Major Emergency Management’ (2006) replaced the Framework for Co-ordinated Response to Major Emergency, which has underpinned major emergency preparedness and response capability since 1984. The Framework sets out the arrangements by which the Principal Response Agencies (PRAs) work together in the management of large-scale incidents. The Framework also sets out Government policy in relation to the role and participation of communities and the Voluntary Emergency Services (VES) in the emergency management process. The Voluntary Emergency Services are recognised as a community in themselves, contributing to the wider community in time of need. The expectation is that this Guide will assist the PRAs to adopt a co-ordinated approach, working with the Voluntary Emergency Services and progressing in a manner appropriate to that sector, to achieve common milestones in emergency response capacity. This document, like others in the guidance series, is subject to regular review and, for that reason, it is requested that any comments and/or insights that arise during its implementation are fed back to the national level. Comments should be addressed to: M.E.M. Project Team, Fire Services and Emergency Planning Section, Department of Housing, Planning, Community & Local Government, Custom House, Dublin 1. Or
[email protected] 20th December 2009 2 CONTENTS 1. Introduction 4 2. Voluntary Emergency Services in the Framework 5 Civil Defence The Irish Red Cross The Non Statutory Voluntary Emergency Services Relevant Framework Provisions Voluntary Emergency Services to Operate Relevant Framework Provisions Integrating and Managing Voluntary Emergency Services Support and Assistance 3.