The Government today launched the ‘Be Winter-Ready’ 2020 -2021 Information Campaign.
@emergencyIE #bewinterready
Be Winter Ready Booklet – Download
The campaign was jointly launched by the Minister for Defence as Chair of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, Mr. Simon Coveney T.D. and Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport and Logistics, Ms. Hildegarde Naughton T.D. Also present was Ms. Evelyn Cusack, Head of Forecasting at Met Éireann.
The launch followed a meeting of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, which dealt with winter-preparedness issues, and had representatives from Government Departments and Agencies briefing on their areas of responsibility.
The ‘Be Winter-Ready’ campaign, which is in its tenth year, is intended to raise awareness about the particular challenges that winter can present and provides coordinated and cross-cutting approach to public safety messaging and the dissemination of information on winter preparations
This information campaign is now a well-established and important annual event impacting across the whole public service.
The campaign highlights the ‘Whole of Government’ approach being taken to winter preparations. This coordinated approach has been seen during recent storms and severe weather events that occurred over the past number of years which posed challenges for individuals, communities, businesses, Government Departments and Agencies.
Importantly, the ‘Be Winter-Ready’ campaign informs the public of what is being done in relation to winter preparations and where they can source valuable information that can assist them through a difficult period.
During the launch Minister Coveney said:
I would like to recognise the commitment and dedication of our front line responders and the work of our Local Authorities in maintaining other essential services during severe weather events and the work they all do to get us through the recovery from such events.
I would also like to acknowledge the work of individuals, community groups and the voluntary emergency services for the essential assistance they provide.
The main message of this campaign remains a simple one: be prepared, stay safe and know where to find help if you need it.
Transport
Last winter, 116,000 tonnes of salt was used across our national, regional and local roads. Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) prepared in advance to ensure an adequate supply of salt was available and has continued to work with Local Authorities in advance of this winter.
This year, 202,000 tonnes of salt are available nationally.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Naughton said:
“My key message for drivers and other road users is that preparing in advance helps reduce any risks that we may face. We can check that our vehicles are fit for winter conditions, and we can make sure we’re visible when we cycle or walk.
The Road Safety Authority provides excellent guidance for those driving, cycling or walking in winter weather conditions on their website www.rsa.ie and a summary of their guidance is also available in the Be Winter Ready booklet.”
Notes
The main objectives of the ‘Be Winter-Ready’ information campaign are:
- To provide practical advice on how best to prepare for the coming winter.
- To ensure the public are aware of where advice and help can be found, if needed, and
- To reassure the public that preparations are being made and arrangements have been put in place to ensure that there will be a coordinated response to severe weather events.
Through a dedicated website www.winterready.ie, advice is being made available from a wide number of sources including Government Departments and Agencies, An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive, the Office of Public Works, Local Authorities and the transport providers.
The advice has been categorised under various headings including: the Home, Road Safety, Schools, the Farming Community and the Business Sector. A synopsis of the information available has been compiled into an updated “Be Winter Ready” booklet published on this website.
All Government Departments and Agencies have been requested to promote the “Be Winter Ready” information campaign through their own websites and over social media and to regularly update their own preparations and information campaigns as a “Whole of Government” approach to such winter preparations.
In addition, the Office of Emergency Planning will be regularly tweeting during the winter period to augment the ‘Be Winter Ready’ campaign in tandem with other media campaigns in the national press and over radio. The twitter account can be followed on @emergencyIE and the public are being encouraged to join in the conversation using the hashtag #bewinterready.
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