An Taoiseach Mr Bertie Ahern TD Launches Public Information and Awareness Campaign on Emergency Plan

14/04/2008

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

An Taoiseach Mr. Bertie Ahern T.D.

Launches Public Information and Awareness Campaign

on Emergency Planning

An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern T.D. today (Monday, 14th April 2008) launched the Government’s public information and awareness campaign on emergency planning at the National Emergency Co-Ordination Centre in Dublin. He was accompanied by the Minister for Defence and Chairman of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, Willie O’Dea T.D., who has overseen the development of the campaign.

The public information and awareness campaign is designed to reassure the public that Government and State Agencies have well thought out plans in place in the event of a major emergency. A handbook giving an introduction to these plans will be delivered to every household in the country over the next fortnight.

The Government does not believe that a major or national emergency is any more likely now than in the past. The public information and awareness campaign is a response to the findings of market research, commissioned by the Office of Emergency Planning, which showed that members of the public wanted reassurance that the Government did have plans ready in case of any major emergency.

As well as the distribution of a handbook, the campaign will consist of a nationwide advertising campaign explaining to citizens that they should read the handbook and keep it in a safe place for reference purposes.

The handbook, which has been produced in association with all Government Departments and relevant State Agencies, explains what a major emergency is, provides information on different aspects of emergency planning and outlines key steps and very practical advice on dealing with and handling some of the more common emergency situations. The publication also provides the public with introductory information on the comprehensive planning for possible emergencies that has taken place in Ireland over the last number of years and gives guidance on where more detailed information can be obtained. The handbook is also published on http://www.emergencyplanning.ie/and is available in CD format, in large print, in braille and an easy to read version. The handbook, published in English and Irish is also available in other key languages pertinent to Ireland’s growing international population.

Speaking at the official launch today, attended by representatives of the Government’s Task Force on Emergency Planning, An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern T.D. paid tribute to the emergency services, An Garda Siochana, the Defence Forces and the many public servants who provide key emergency services on a daily basis across the country. An Taoiseach said:

“At the core of this campaign is the goal of awareness and reassurance. It is not to cause undue concern that the Government believes an emergency is any more likely now than in the past. It is simply to tell the public that we have comprehensive plans in place. I would like to pay tribute to the many people who work behind the scenes preparing, updating and testing these plans. Ireland has a very good track record in this area. Our handling of the foot & mouth disease for example, has shown us to be in the forefront in this field.”

Minister for Defence and Chairman of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, Willie O’Dea T.D. commented at today’s launch:

“Following the tragic and harrowing events of 9/11, emergency planning came into focus worldwide. This led to the establishment of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning to help provide coordination across all Government Departments and Agencies in their emergency planning and response. In the event of an emergency, the lead responsibility for specific emergency response remains with relevant Government Department and or Agency supported by all other Government Departments and Agencies as required.

“The purpose of this information campaign is to give some useful advice and to reassure the public that Departments and Agencies have a comprehensive set of Emergency Plans in place that conform to the highest international standards. These plans are constantly reviewed, assessed and where necessary updated. Today’s campaign and handbook launch, is supported by our website, www.emergencyplanning.ie which along with the Emergency Planning handbook will give the public practical information on emergency plans and steps to take if a major emergency were to take place”.

Ends. Monday, 14th April 2008.

Enquiries to:-

Suzanne Coogan, Minister O’Dea’s Press Advisor 087 221 5745

Deirdre Creaney, Press Officer, Department of Defence 087 234 0397

Additional Information:

The Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, Chaired by the Minister for Defence, includes Senior Representatives from all Government Departments and relevant State Agencies. This Senior Government group meets on a regular basis and reviews the plans that are in place. These plans are constantly reviewed and updated where necessary, drawing on the expertise of Irish and International experts. The Task Force promotes best practice among Government Departments and Agencies.

The Office of Emergency Planning in the Department of Defence provides support for the work of the Government Task Force and the Office produced the handbook. The Office of Emergency Planning also chairs the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Emergency Planning (IDWG), which is made up of officials representing Government Departments and public authorities, which have a hands-on role in Government emergency plans.

The website www.emergencyplanning.ie provides information on emergency plans, as well as links to other sites where more detailed information can be found.

The National Public Information and Awareness Campaign, includes printed advertisements in the national and local media, radio and poster site advertising nationwide.

The National Emergency Co-ordination Centre is equipped with the very latest in state of the art, robust communications and conference facilities. The primary purpose of the Centre is to provide a facility in which Ministers and / or senior officials can convene to co-ordinate the response to a major emergency. The Centre has links to key Departments/Agencies, a central incident room, a series of meeting rooms, desk-top working areas, etc. The National Emergency Co-ordinate Centre is used to host the regular meetings of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning and can be used by various Government Departments and Emergency Services as a co-ordination centre for the many structured emergency planning exercises that take place throughout the year.