16 November 2019
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
The “Be Winter Ready” campaign for Cork and Kerry, an inter-agency initiative involving An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive, Cork County Council, Cork City Council and Kerry County Council launched last week.
“Be Winter Ready” is a co-ordinated campaign involving statutory services to raise public awareness about the challenges which winter can present.
At the launch were, back row, from left: Priscilla Lynch, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare; David O’Sulllivan, Interagency Emergency Mgt. Office; Cllr. Damien Boylan, deputising for the Lord Mayor of Cork; Inp. James Hallahan, An Garda Siochana; Kieran Minihan, Ambulance Service; Cllr. Christopher O’Sullivan, Mayor of the County of Cork; Niall Kelleher, Kerry County Mayor and John Donegan, Sen Eng. Cork Co. Co.; Front (left) Ruth Buckley, Dep. Chief Executive, Cork City Council and Kevin Higgins, Fire Service.
Pic: Brian Lougheed
At the launch were, back row, from left: Priscilla Lynch, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare; David O’Sulllivan, Interagency Emergency Mgt. Office; Cllr. Damien Boylan, deputising for the Lord Mayor of Cork; Inp. James Hallahan, An Garda Siochana; Kieran Minihan, Ambulance Service; Cllr. Christopher O’Sullivan, Mayor of the County of Cork; Niall Kelleher, Kerry County Mayor and John Donegan, Sen Eng. Cork Co. Co.; Front (left) Ruth Buckley, Dep. Chief Executive, Cork City Council and Kevin Higgins, Fire Service.
Pic: Brian Lougheed
The public awareness event took place at St Mary’s Primary Care Centre in Gurranbraher, Cork, whereby all the agencies involved shared tips and information on preparing for winter. Cork County Council provided details of its extensive Winter Maintenance Programme, and the National Roads and other strategic routes which are prioritised during adverse weather conditions.
The Council’s Winter Maintenance Programme also takes into account footpaths, cycle-ways, and other local roads which will be treated in towns, villages, and city environs, as local resources permit when a prolonged period of snow / icy conditions occur.
Grit will be made available at multiple locations across the county for use by local communities. Salt bins and a fill of salt are also being offered to a limited number of Residents’ Associations and/or Community Groups on a shared funding basis.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan highlighted how the event showed the level of planning and preparedness work undertaken by Cork County in preparing for the challenging conditions that go with winter weather.
See www.WinterReady.ie for useful tips and information for members of the public, including advice on how to avoid trips and falls, and how to make sure your home and family are prepared for winter.
Looking ahead to winter, the Council will also communicate County Cork updates on severe weather via its digital channels. Further details on the Council’s Winter Maintenance Programme can be found on at www.CorkCoCo.ie
