Council seminar highlights the importance of emergency preparedness
Thu, May 09, 2024
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has played host to a well-attended seminar aimed at community groups and businesses involved in events management and event organisation.
Held at The Lodge Hotel, the event welcomed speakers from the Northern Emergency Preparedness Group, representatives from the Council’s events and licensing teams, alongside blue light responders, such as the PSNI, Ambulance Service and the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.
The Be Prepared event focussed on raising awareness for emergency preparedness, with the goal of fostering a better understanding of how multi-agency roles can collaborate to ensure event safety.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Councillor Steven Callaghan highlighted the importance of community events saying: “This event organised by Council’s emergency planning team in collaboration Civil contingencies was an excellent opportunity for key stakeholders to strategise and collaborate on plans in the event of an emergency.
“From smaller events such as Halloween and Christmas, to the large-scale events like the Ould Lammas Fair, the NI International Airshow, or the NW200, the Borough has quite a varied selection for visitors and residents alike.
“Being prepared for events of various scales takes a lot of forward planning, with the emphasis on public safety, thank you to everyone who came along and participated in this crucial collaborative event.”
Speaking after the event, District Commander for Causeway Coast and Glens, Superintendent Mark Roberts said: “The Be Prepared Event was a great opportunity to meet and get to know many of our local partners who put on a wide range of events across the Causeway Coast and Glens area.
“Our community is a thriving and vibrant one, and the events hosted throughout the year present an opportunity to showcase the local scenery and hospitality in many different ways.
“Working together in partnership is critical for successful event management and delivery, and I was pleased to have the opportunity to take part in the presentations and exercise, to demonstrate what can be achieved.”
Seminars like these are vital to equip event organisers with the knowledge and resources needed to manage emergencies and prioritise public safety during events. Council’s emergency planning team is constantly looking at ways to collaborate with key partners, so that we can all be reassured that plans are in place in the event of an emergency situation within the Borough.
