Durkan Urges Councils To Prepare For Severe Weather Emergencies

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan today called on councils to be prepared for severe weather emergencies.

Winters have been very tough over the past years. Faced with the potential of another winter of severe weather, the Minister has written to all councils urging them to ensure that preparations are well underway should emergencies arise. Minister Mark H Durkan said:xa0“District Councils have a leading role in responding to civil emergencies. We have had an increasing number of severe winters therefore I am calling on all councils to ensure that preparations are well underway this winter. “The effectiveness of council emergency management was tested during the spring blizzard in March of this year. It is important that we learn from previous experiences and continue to make plans that improve our performance. “I have been impressed with the spirit of cooperation and collaboration across all emergency agencies. Partnerships are vital to providing quick and practical assistance in emergency situations and maintaining essential links with local communities. “It is crucial to plan now and be ready for the unexpected to ensure essential local services are sustained and meet the needs of our citizens, including the most vulnerable. Keeping our services open, even during severe weather, is vital to that.”