A 'Major Emergency' is any event that, 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, and requires the activation of specific additional procedures and the mobilisation of additional resources to ensure an effective and coordinated response.

Wicklow Local Authorities have prepared a Major Emergency Plan in accordance with A Framework for Major Emergency Management, published by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Justice in September 2006. The purpose of this plan is to put in place arrangements that will enable the three principal response agencies (An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and Wicklow Local Authorities) to coordinate their efforts whenever a major emergency occurs.

The Major Emergency Plan is designed primarily to provide for the protection, support and welfare of the public in times of emergency.