Government launch safety campaign for severe winter weather

Be prepared, stay safe and know where to find help if you need — that’s the central message of the Government’s ‘Be Winter Ready’ information campaign.

The launch took place to coincide with a meeting of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, chaired by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, which covered the issue of extreme weather response.

The Office of emergency Planning will be regularly tweeting during the winter from the @emergencyIE account #bewinterready

— Government of Ireland (@GovIE) November 12, 2015

A dedicated website, www.winterready.ie, and downloadable information booklet provides practical advice for different groups such as the elderly, businesses, farmers and schools on preparing for severe weather conditions. The booklet also contains contact information for emergency services, public transport providers and local authorities.

One of the main objectives was to ensure vulnerable groups such as the elderly are supported, Ann Phelan TD said. She said lessons had been learned during the severe cold in winter 2010 and the storms of 2013/2014.

“Central to an effective response to any weather related emergency is the level of preparedness and resilience of ordinary people.

Minister of State, Ann Phelan, emphasised the #BeWinterReady message: Be prepared, stay safe & know were to get help pic.twitter.com/lSWRh8okOt

— Office of Emergency Planning (@emergencyIE) November 12, 2015

“All local authorities have in place major emergency plans that include provisions for severe weather,” Ms Phelan said, adding “the Department of the Environment can convene, at short notice, a national co-ordination group for severe weather in support of this local response should it be required”.