Regional Community Resilience Group GETTING WEATHER READY The Regional Community Resilience Group (RCRG) Newsletter – Keeping members weather ready Getting ready for Winter Driving As the evenings including full beam, fog condition of your wiper blades. Contents lights and indicators. There’s nothing worse than Contents start to draw in and your view being obscured due A careful driver will also be Winter 2018 to wipers that don’t effectively the weather turns thinking about how they will Autumn/Winter 2020/21 clear the screen. autumnal, it’s a great modify their driving including always wearing their seatbelt CLICK TO READ... Finally, don’t let your fuel tank time to start thinking and extra precautions they drift into the red, make sure Getting ready for Winter Driving might take to cope with any about getting your your phone is fully charged/ weather related eventuality. Weather Summary car ready for winter carry a charger. If poor NI Water Demand Surge & Water Efficiency weather is forecast check Allow yourself additional space driving. TrafficwatchNI for travel Introducing the TICC and time in slippery or wet up-dates, leave yourself more Power Cut Ready conditions and you should Your mechanic should check; time for your journey and lastly, make manoeuvres smoothly What is the NI Resilience Strategy? always remember to respect • Brakes are properly with no harsh acceleration or Lockdown Help for Farms everyone’s journey and drive functioning, braking. safely. Test Trace Protect Needs Your Support • Anti-freeze levels are correct #BeReadyNI Campaign September 2020 – ideally 50/50 ratio, Carry a cold weather kit in your car to include a shovel, torch, Get your flu vaccine • The battery is still effective blanket, hi-visibility vest, screen Toome Road Flood Alleviation Scheme and can cope with colder wash, food and drink supplies, temperatures and increased Derry City and Strabane District Council adopt scraper and de-icer, and even Climate Change Adaptation Plan usage, snow grips for your shoes in Draft Fermanagh and Omagh DC Climate Change case you need to walk to safety. • Tyre tread - whilst 1.6mm is and Sustainable Development Strategy the legal limit, ideally 3mm Community Groups contribute to for winter driving and Keep your windscreen clean, regularly check your washer and NI Resilience Strategy • Lights are all functioning, anti-freeze levels and check the Getting Weather Ready / Emergency Numbers Weather Summary Regional Community Resilience Group Thus far, 2020 has who travel across the border for work or other activities have access to the been a notable year latest warnings, allowing them the GETTING weather wise. In opportunity to prepare for cross- border weather events. February storms Ciara WEATHER and Dennis gave wet The Met Office and Met Éireann READY agreed upon this as part of their and windy conditions partnership work and better sharing and contributed to of warnings across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Both The RCRG Newsletter the wettest February organisations have collaborated on on record in Northern the high profile storm naming project and this initiative will build on that Contents Ireland with 222mm working relationship with further CLICK TO READ... co-operation expected due to our smashing the previous Getting ready for Winter Driving shared weather systems. record of 194mm in A dramatic change occurred in Rainfall has since returned to Weather Summary 1990. March however as fine, sunny more normal levels, August turned The Met Office is always keen to NI Water Demand Surge & Water Efficiency and very dry conditions became out to be the wettest since 2008 ensure the communication of our Introducing the TICC making the summer season rather Flooding of some low lying roads in established for nearly 3 months. It National Severe Weather Warning disappointing and relatively cool for Power Cut Ready Fermanagh and Tyrone was a feature was the second driest spring since Service (NSWWS) is as accessible holidaying at home. of this period though Northern 1900 and the sunniest spring on and understandable as possible. What is the NI Resilience Strategy? Ireland in general was spared the record with 564 hours of sunshine. With this aim in mind the way Lockdown Help for Farms The combination of dry and sunny we communicate severe weather worst compared to England and All Island Warnings Test Trace Protect Needs Your Support Wales. conditions led to water resource In June Met Éireann updated their warnings is constantly under review #BeReadyNI Campaign September 2020 issues and a heightened wildfire risk website to include the display of Met and we may consider including Met for many areas. Office warnings issued for Northern Éireann warnings on our channels in Get your flu vaccine Ireland. This will ensure that citizens future. Toome Road Flood Alleviation Scheme Derry City and Strabane District Council adopt Climate Change Adaptation Plan Draft Fermanagh and Omagh DC Climate Change and Sustainable Development Strategy Community Groups contribute to NI Resilience Strategy Getting Weather Ready / Emergency Numbers NI Water – Demand Surge & Water Efficiency Campaign Regional Community The campaign as a whole was a Resilience Group Water plays an essential resounding success with colleagues role in the battle against in the clean water side of our GETTING Covid 19 with regular, business seeing an improving situation week on week; demand WEATHER thorough handwashing and water use had reduced. This, coupled with recent rainfall, has READY and staying hydrated seen most reservoirs fully recover. being advised as two of the main ways to fight it. If you would like some FREE The RCRG Newsletter With many people based at home water saving items for your from early April NI Water saw a home such as a shower timer, Contents significant increase in household a toothy timer for the kids or a CLICK TO READ... water use which was largely offset leaky loo pack, then visit www. by a reduction in business water use savewatersavemoney.co.uk Getting ready for Winter Driving with many businesses forced to close. Silent Valley resevoir NI Water is also encouraging Weather Summary However the hot sunny weather customers to sign up to its NI Water Demand Surge & Water Efficiency wide ranging from interactive videos These small changes were not only in May saw a further huge spike free text alert service which Introducing the TICC on social media, to TV and radio relatable but also easily achievable in household water use. This has keeps them updated about advertisements. For example, NI by everyone and would make a big Power Cut Ready not only significantly heightened anything that may impact on Water encouraged everyone to save difference to our water storage levels. demand for water pushing our Water their water supply or any of What is the NI Resilience Strategy? just 30 litres of water per day with 3 Treatment Works to their limits but as our other services in the area. Lockdown Help for Farms simple steps: Going one step further, the team there had been little to no rain since Sign up here www.niwater. regionalised this advice and actively Test Trace Protect Needs Your Support March reservoir levels had dropped com/register-for-keeping-you- 1. Shorten your shower by 1 min - showed customers a recent drone #BeReadyNI Campaign September 2020 to worrying levels. The challenge informed/ this would save 7 litres per day; photo of their reservoir showing how was to launch a public information Get your flu vaccine the levels had dropped. campaign for customers to reduce 2. Turn off the tap when brushing Toome Road Flood Alleviation Scheme water use and ensure there was your teeth - this would save 12 Act now to Derry City and Strabane District Council adopt All of it was then backed up by a save water Water is more important than ever right now. Use these tips to enough water for everyone’s basic litres a day Please reduce your water use. Long protect what matters. spells of very dry weather are reducing Climate Change Adaptation Plan the water in Northern Ireland’s reservoirs. live interactive map on niwater.com So we need everyone to save water. Keep a jug of water in the fridge for drinking. There’ll be Turn off the tap while brushing That will help make sure NI Water can no need to run the tap until it hygiene needs. your teeth to save over 6 litres goes cold every time. keep supplying the clean, fresh water we of water per minute. 3. Put a jug in the fridge instead all need. Draft Fermanagh and Omagh DC Climate Change where a simple click would display There are lots of easy ways to save water around your home. Try making the little changes you see here and you will make a big difference. and Sustainable Development Strategy of running the tap (6 glasses of were your water comes from and For more tips, visit NIWater.com Use your toilet’s half-flush function (if it has one). That’ll In order to avoid a potential drought save 3 litres every flush. Avoid watering the lawn. Even if it looks brown and dry, water), this would save 12 litres what level the reservoir was sitting at. Wash the car with a bucket it’ll bounce back after the next instead of a hose. You’ll save up heavy rain. Community Groups contribute to situation, NI Water encouraged to 1,000 litres of water an hour! a day. NI Resilience Strategy people to save water around the home and garden. The campaign was Getting Weather Ready / Emergency Numbers Introducing the Traffic Information and Control Centre Regional Community Resilience Group Some drivers travelling to help monitor the network. The Network management cameras cover Belfast City Centre, Other work areas within the into Belfast from the the motorway network and many TICC remit include the Network GETTING Bangor direction may other key areas. A Motorway Control Management team, the Travel System allows them to set the Information Team (including Real WEATHER have noticed the oddly overhead signs and signals on the time Passenger Information for shaped ‘bee hive’ M1, M2 and Westlink. Metro Buses, bus priority and READY motorway signs, signals and structure from the When incidents occur, staff in TICC telephones) the Signal Installation Stephen Sherwin, TICC control room operator Sydenham by pass just work closely with other organisations and Maintenance Team, and the to manage these as effectively as Road Safety Team. The RCRG Newsletter before Dee Street. This possible, to ensure that the network is safe and is operating to its best In summary building is the storage capability. Also planned events can Contents No two days are the same in the barn for the winter salt have special traffic management CLICK TO READ... plans implemented to ensure that TICC. Incidents are unpredictable supplies for greater journey times are optimised for and can often be affected by the Getting ready for Winter Driving weather. Using the UTC system, the Belfast. patrons. Regular meetings are held Weather Summary traffic cameras and their experience, with stakeholders including PSNI, NI Water Demand Surge & Water Efficiency Tucked quietly behind the salt barn, Belfast City Council, SSE Arena, staff aim to ensure that at least with regard to traffic management, the Introducing the TICC is the home of the Traffic Information Titanic Belfast and Belfast Harbour Warning sign on Foyle bridge and Control Centre (TICC). TICC is a Police to name a few. network copes to its very best ability. Power Cut Ready state of the art operation comprising What is the NI Resilience Strategy? a staff of 24 people involved in the Social media Lockdown Help for Farms control of traffic on the urban and A key outcome of monitoring and Test Trace Protect Needs Your Support motorway networks and the provision managing the road network is the of traffic information. The TICC team provision of up to date and accurate #BeReadyNI Campaign September 2020 now operates on a 24/7 basis. information to the public and local Get your flu vaccine radio stations. This is done via the Toome Road Flood Alleviation Scheme Traffic Control TrafficwatchNI website, via email Derry City and Strabane District Council adopt Operators use a computerised alerts and instantly to over 59,000 Climate Change Adaptation Plan Urban Traffic Control (UTC) system twitter subscribers. All dynamic which allows them to monitor information on the website is Draft Fermanagh and Omagh DC Climate Change and Sustainable Development Strategy and control the traffic signals at verified visually by the operators or junctions and to make changes to by communication with the PSNI. Community Groups contribute to timings if necessary. Around 180 NI Resilience Strategy CCTV cameras provide a visual aid A sample trafficwatchni social media post Getting Weather Ready / Emergency Numbers Power Cut Ready Regional Community to think ahead as supply can be Resilience Group Over recent months, affected by natural events, with homes across Northern severe winter weather potentially GETTING Ireland have felt the causing significant damage. WEATHER importance of being Trevor Harron, Network Operations Manager for NIE Networks, wants READY prepared and having to ensure every customer is winter the supplies they need. ready, particularly those who are more vulnerable or reliant on power. As we head into the winter season The RCRG Newsletter NIE Networks are calling on “We work all year round to ensure domestic and business customers the network continues to perform across Northern Ireland to make to the highest standard, as well Contents preparations ahead of winter. as making sure we are as storm CLICK TO READ... ready as possible. Preparation NIE Networks is working is still important though and we Getting ready for Winter Driving continuously to ensure the resilience particularly want customers within Weather Summary and performance of the electricity the agricultural industry, rural NI Water Demand Surge & Water Efficiency network, but still wants customers communities and those who have critical healthcare needs, to take Powercheck which provides reliable Introducing the TICC the necessary steps to ensure and real time information about that any duration of power cut is a power cut and the status of Power Cut Ready manageable.” restoration. What is the NI Resilience Strategy? Lockdown Help for Farms Customers can take a number Those customers who are of actions to prepare for an dependent on life supporting Test Trace Protect Needs Your Support unexpected power cut including medical equipment are encouraged #BeReadyNI Campaign September 2020 locating their trip switch, stocking to apply to the NIE Networks Get your flu vaccine up on battery powered lights and Medical Customer Care Register to Toome Road Flood Alleviation Scheme having the NIE Networks Customer receive regular information during a Helpline number 03457 643 643 power cut. Derry City and Strabane District Council adopt easily to hand. Climate Change Adaptation Plan For further information about what Draft Fermanagh and Omagh DC Climate Change The NIE Networks website is another you can do to prepare for winter, and Sustainable Development Strategy excellent resource for providing to access Powercheck, or to report Community Groups contribute to customers the facility to report a a power cut, please visit www. NI Resilience Strategy power cut online and access to nienetworks.co.uk Getting Weather Ready / Emergency Numbers What is the Resilience Strategy for Northern Ireland? Regional Community This change along with structural • Firstly, and most importantly including the community and Resilience Group In March 2020, The changes has enabled the development we want to enhance public voluntary sector to deliver the Civil Contingencies of a one-team, coordinated approach preparedness for any emergency strategic aims. to emergency planning, response situation. In order to achieve this, GETTING The outworking of this Strategy benefits Resilience Strategy and recovery across the Emergency we must fulfil the other priorities; the entire public sector and so many WEATHER CIVIL CONTINGENCIES Preparedness Group (EPG) co-ordination for Northern Ireland – Developing, maintaining and partner organisations across the three areas. RESILIENCEwas endorsed and enhancing mutually beneficial EPG areas in Northern Ireland and READY strategic partnerships with indeed reaches across to structures STRATEGYthe name of the The aim of the strategy is; “to ensure FOR NORTHERN IRELAND statutory agencies, the both in Great Britain and the Republic robust, properly resourced civil 2020-2025 community and voluntary sector of Ireland. Click here to read more Sub Regional Civil contingencies arrangements are in place and the public to enhance about the Resilience Strategy. The RCRG Newsletter Emergencies Group that deliver a sustainable and effective resilience across Northern multi agency planning, response and Ireland; The team has recently recruited 3 (SCEP) was changed recovery structures to support resilience Contents – Developing these arrangements, Resilience Officers - Tara Cunningham, in Northern Ireland.” to the Northern on a risk prioritised basis to Anne Gallagher and Sandra Morton. CLICK TO READ... prevent, mitigate, respond to and These 3 officers will work alongside Ireland Emergency The Strategy provides the road map for Getting ready for Winter Driving recover from emergencies; the Resilience Managers and the Civil the Local Government Civil Contingencies Preparedness Group. Contingencies Co-Ordinator to help all Weather Summary Team to work towards achieving this – Growing capacity, capability and involved to fulfil the important aims of NI Water Demand Surge & Water Efficiency aim. In order to progress, four strategic competence across our own team the strategy. priorities have been identified: and our partner organisations, Introducing the TICC Power Cut Ready What is the NI Resilience Strategy? Lockdown Help for Farms to become More Resilient Lockdown Help for Farms Test Trace Protect Needs Your Support This is the second year of a project a chance for some farmers to get a coming under significant pressure, #BeReadyNI Campaign September 2020 Newry, Mourne and which is working closely with farmers farm plan specific to their individual with increases in costs and Get your flu vaccine Down District Council to partner them in trialling a new needs and ideas going forward. The decreasing profits. approach to delivering sustainable, farmer can also be provided with Toome Road Flood Alleviation Scheme teamed up with the improved and diversified farm assistance in exploring potential With time and money at a premium, Derry City and Strabane District Council adopt Woodland Trust to invite businesses. funding opportunities. many farmers are now looking for Climate Change Adaptation Plan interested members of more efficient ways to make farming Draft Fermanagh and Omagh DC Climate Change The project focuses on the use Farming is the mainstay of the rural pay. One such option involves and Sustainable Development Strategy the farming community of ‘green infrastructure’ and community forming the bedrock exploring the benefits of green and Community Groups contribute to management changes as an of the rural economy in the area. NI Resilience Strategy to sign up for a farm essential part of farming production. However, there can be no doubt that Getting Weather Ready / Emergency Numbers plan project. As part of the project, there will be farming, especially hill farming, is continued from Trees prove an important Shelter and trees are only part previous page contribution in reducing water of a bigger picture and for There is a limited number of farm plans available from soil which is a major that reason the farm survey - to find out more contact Michael Topping, Regional Community living infrastructures such as factor in the production of work will, when required, Outreach Adviser for the Woodland Trust. Resilience Group hedges, trees, sward changes fluke, whilst species rich offer support and signposting Mobile: 07990 567 014 and even stock changes. swards can increase growing towards information of Email: [email protected] GETTING season and reduce the pasture management, stock Newry, Mourne and Down amounts of artificial fertilizer changes and diversification WEATHER District Council Chairperson, required.” opportunities and more. Councillor Laura Devlin said: READY “Outside shelter from hedges The Woodland Trust, as a To find out more, check out and trees are vitally important charity that supports the the recorded information night in protecting swards and stock planting of trees and hedges, on the Ring of Gullion Youtube and if properly planned can know that they need to work Channel www.youtube.com/ The RCRG Newsletter be a vital tool towards farm closely with farmers and help viability. support them in their primary business of food production. Contents CLICK TO READ...

Getting ready for Winter Driving Weather Summary NI Water Demand Surge & Water Efficiency Introducing the TICC Power Cut Ready What is the NI Resilience Strategy? StopCOVID NI Lockdown Help for Farms StopCOVID NI Test Trace Protect Needs Your Support DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW #BeReadyNI Campaign September 2020 Get your flu vaccine Toome Road Flood Alleviation Scheme Derry City and Strabane District Council adopt Climate Change Adaptation Plan Draft Fermanagh and Omagh DC Climate Change and Sustainable Development Strategy Learn more at nidirect.gov.uk/coronavirus Community Groups contribute to STAY SAFE SAVE LIVES NI Resilience Strategy Getting Weather Ready / Emergency Numbers Test ✔ Trace ✔ Protect ✔

Test Trace Protect Needs Everyone’s Support Regional Community As ‘lockdown’ restrictions are eased, Resilience Group TEST TRACE PROTECT Test ✔ Trace ✔ Protect ✔ we face the risk of a second wave of A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE Test ✔ infection. We can all help minimise GETTING that risk by continuing to support 1 2 3 TEST TRACE PROTECT ✔ public health measures to control the WEATHER Trace ✔ ✔ spread, such as testing and contact ✔ NEEDS EVERYONE’S SUPPORT Protect ✔ tracing. READY Testing and contact tracing helps SPOT THE SYMPTOMS REQUEST A TEST NOW ISOLATE If you have a new persistent Visit nidirect.gov.uk/coronavirus Isolate for 7 days after symptoms break the chain of transmission of cough, fever or loss of or change to book a test online. Call 119 if you appear, longer if fever continues the virus. By identifying people who in sense of taste and smell, you cannot book a test online. (until at least 48 hours after your and everyone in your house temperature returns to normal). The RCRG Newsletter have been in close contact with should immediately self-isolate. Other people you live with should isolate for 14 days. someone who has tested positive 4 5 6 Throughout the for coronavirus, and asking them to Contents pandemic, your support self-isolate, we can limit the onward CLICK TO READ... spread (reproduction) of the virus. Throughout the pandemic, your support in following publicin following health public Keeping the reproduction (R) number Getting ready for Winter Driving GET TESTED GET RESULTS PROVIDE DETAILS health guidelines low allows us to continue moving Weather Summary guidelines has been vital in reducing the spread of coronavirus. By doing Testing is carried out at drive You should receive results within If you test positive for coronavirus Test ✔ Trace ✔ Protect ✔ towards more normal family, working through testing centres and you 72 hours. If you test negative for Public Health Agency (PHA) NI Water Demand Surge & Water Efficiency has been vital in must arrive by car (not on foot, coronavirus you and your contact tracers will call you from and social lives. Friends and family via public transport, by taxi or by household can stop isolating. the number 028 9536 8888. They so, you have saved lives. As ‘lockdown’ restrictions are eased, we face the any other means). Home tests are will ask you who you have had Introducing the TICC reducing the spread of can see each other, and schools and also available. contact with recently. risk of a second wave of infection. We can all help minimisecoronavirus. that riskBy doing by businesses can reopen. It will also 7 8 9 Power Cut Ready continuing to support public health measures to control the spread, such help to protect our health service What is the NI Resilience Strategy? so, you have saved lives. from being overwhelmed. Lockdown Help for Farms as testing and contact tracing. Test Trace Protect Needs Your Support Testing and contact tracing will only PHA INFORMS CONTACTS CLOSE CONTACTS ASKED TO ISOLATE HOUSEHOLD OF CLOSE CONTACTS work if we all play our part. This #BeReadyNI Campaign September 2020 If you have coronavirus, the PHA Close contacts will be asked to If the close contact has no symptoms, means: will contact the people you have isolate for 14 days from the last others in the household don’t need to had close contact with. Your time they had contact with you. isolate. If the close contact develops Get your flu vaccine Testing and contact tracing helps break the chain of transmission of the virus. By identifying name will not be shared unless symptoms, they should follow this guide • get tested if we have symptoms; you give permission. All data will starting at step 1. Toome Road Flood Alleviation Scheme people who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus, be held securely. • help with contact tracing; Derry City and Strabane District Council adopt and asking them to self-isolate, we can limit the onward spread (reproduction) of the When you can leave home, stay safe and continue to follow public health advice. Climate Change Adaptation Plan • self-isolate when we are • Wash your hands well and often and avoid touching your face. virus. Keeping the reproduction (R) number low allows us to continue moving towards • Keep your distance from others when outside the home. Draft Fermanagh and Omagh DC Climate Change advised to. • Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and dispose of the tissue in a bin. and Sustainable Development Strategy more normal family, working and social lives. Friends and family can see each other, and Along with social distancing and You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms. Community Groups contribute to schools and businesses can reopen. It will also help to protect our health service from being hygiene precautions, testing and NI Resilience Strategy overwhelmed. tracing is our best chance to protect Getting Weather Ready / Emergency Numbers our communities from coronavirus.

Testing and contact tracing will only work if we all play our part. This means: • get tested if we have symptoms; • help with contact tracing; • self-isolate when we are advised to.

Along with social distancing and hygiene precautions, testing and tracing is our best chance to protect our communities from coronavirus. 07/20 #BeReadyNI Campaign September 2020 Regional Community uk/emergencies including with the weather at metoffice. information on power cuts on the Resilience Group It’s important to things like having a household gov.uk and sign up to their NIE Networks website and water be ready for the emergency plan, an emergency email alert service to receive outages on the NI Water website. GETTING kit and developing a community weather warnings for your area. • How important volunteers are to emergencies which can emergency plan for your area. As we head towards winter, it’s help us in emergencies including WEATHER important to prepare your home, happen in everyday life. • How important it is to wash your those who give blood or provide your car and your family for September was preparedness hands and follow the public first aid. READY the colder weather. Make sure month and lots of agencies health advice to try to reduce you are signed up to the NIE • Being safe near water and what joined the #BeReadyNI and the number of people getting Networks or NI Water critical care to do if you get into trouble #30Days30WaysUK campaigns to coronavirus. This year it is also registers if you rely on electricity including how to ‘float to live’. The RCRG Newsletter share information and advice on important that everyone who or water due to a medical how you can help yourself to be is eligible gets their winter flu • That we need to plan for our condition. more prepared. Here’s a taste of vaccine. All the most up to children, pets and animals Contents some of the key messages and links: date advice and information on • What to do in different as they can be affected by coronavirus can be found on emergencies such as a fire, emergencies too. CLICK TO READ... the NI Direct and Public Health power cut, flood or cold weather • There’s lot of advice and • If you need more information, Getting ready for Winter Driving information on being ready for Agency NI websites. and who you can call for help. take a look at the NI Direct Weather Summary emergencies at nidirect.gov. You can now see real time • You should keep up to date website. NI Water Demand Surge & Water Efficiency Introducing the TICC Get your flu vaccine Power Cut Ready What is the NI Resilience Strategy? Each year the flu vaccine protects against the Lockdown Help for Farms This year we are facing the most common strains of flu likely to be circulating. Test Trace Protect Needs Your Support double threat of COVID-19 Currently there is no vaccine against COVID-19 and #BeReadyNI Campaign September 2020 and influenza. Early studies it is more important than ever to be sure to get the flu vaccine this year. Get your flu vaccine show that for some people Toome Road Flood Alleviation Scheme If you are pregnant, suffer from a medical condition Derry City and Strabane District Council adopt with both COVID-19 and flu or are aged 65 or over, it’s more important than ever Climate Change Adaptation Plan virus there is an increased for you to get the flu vaccine. For details of other groups who should get the vaccine see the ‘Flu is Draft Fermanagh and Omagh DC Climate Change risk of complications and more serious than you think’ leaflet. and Sustainable Development Strategy death. Community Groups contribute to Contact your GP surgery to find out the NI Resilience Strategy arrangements for flu vaccination in your practice. Getting Weather Ready / Emergency Numbers Toome Road Flood Alleviation Scheme Progressing Well Regional Community Park. The final stages will involve the Resilience Group Work commenced on reinstatement of these roads, as this £2 million Flood well as landscaping of the site on GETTING Alleviation Scheme for Wakehurst Road. WEATHER the Toome Road area NI Water will continue to work with the Department for Infrastructure READY in September 2019 and all our local stakeholders and is now nearing regarding the programming and traffic management arrangements completion. for the final stages of these works The RCRG Newsletter and would like to thank the public This project is being undertaken for their ongoing patience and to resolve historical internal and cooperation while we complete this Contents external ‘out of sewer’ flooding scheme. CLICK TO READ... issues in the Toome Road/Wakehurst Road area of Ballymena. When BSG Civil Engineering is the main Getting ready for Winter Driving complete this will bring significant contractor for this major programme Weather Summary benefits, improving and increasing of work with McAdam Design the capacity of the existing sewerage NI Water Demand Surge & Water Efficiency providing Project Management and system in the area and substantially Introducing the TICC technical support. reducing the risk of future flooding. Power Cut Ready

The project involves the upgrade What is the NI Resilience Strategy? of the existing sewers, as well as Lockdown Help for Farms the installation of new sewers on Test Trace Protect Needs Your Support Wakehurst Park, and Wakehurst #BeReadyNI Campaign September 2020 Road. Construction of a large storage tank is also now substantially Get your flu vaccine complete on land adjacent to the Toome Road Flood Alleviation Scheme council playing fields at Wakehurst Derry City and Strabane District Council adopt Road. Climate Change Adaptation Plan Draft Fermanagh and Omagh DC Climate Change Recent work has included the and Sustainable Development Strategy upgrade and realignment of sewers on Wakehurst Road, and sewer laying Community Groups contribute to NI Resilience Strategy is now in progress on Wakehurst A look back to construction work on site at Wakehurst Road - June 2020 Getting Weather Ready / Emergency Numbers Derry City and Strabane District Council adopt Regional Community Climate Change Adaptation Plan Resilience Group climate change issues globally, reduce the threat of climate change to carrying out to address climate GETTING Derry City and Strabane regionally and locally. Council, and beyond. change. District Council have WEATHER Council has also committed to wider “Our Climate Change Emergency “This is a significant step, and become the first council climate action through a Climate Pledge also highlights our I’m glad that as a Council we are READY area in Northern Ireland Change Emergency Pledge. commitments both in the short and leading the way in tackling climate to adopt a Climate long term, and it will build on the change.” The Climate Change Emergency work that Council have already been The RCRG Newsletter Change Adaptation Pledge outlines the Council’s climate Plan. action commitments, including a shift to net zero greenhouse Contents gas emissions across the city The Adaptation Plan will ensure the CLICK TO READ... and district by 2045. The Pledge Council is prepared for and resilient and accompanying action plan Getting ready for Winter Driving to the effects of climate change includes working across Council and with aims to increase capacity to Weather Summary with other relevant agencies and respond; to raise awareness of the stakeholders to reduce emissions NI Water Demand Surge & Water Efficiency impacts of climate change across and adapt to climate change Introducing the TICC the City & District; and to lead by impacts now and in the future. example and work collaboratively to Power Cut Ready ensure resilience and deliver climate What is the NI Resilience Strategy? Alderman Maurice Devenney, adaptation. Chair of the Environment and Lockdown Help for Farms Regeneration Committee, said Test Trace Protect Needs Your Support This includes continuing to work with the adoption of the pledge and local and regional partners to deliver #BeReadyNI Campaign September 2020 adaptation plan was a significant resilience and preparedness to Get your flu vaccine step forward. severe weather events and flooding. A copy of the report and of the For more information contact Toome Road Flood Alleviation Scheme Climate Change Emergency DCSDC Climate Programme “Climate change is a prevalent Derry City and Strabane District Council adopt The associated Adaptation Action issue, and as a Council we have Pledge and Climate Adaptation Manager Cathy Burns – cathy. Climate Change Adaptation Plan Plan will be delivered by the been proactive in tackling it. Plan can be viewed here: [email protected] relevant teams across Council and www.derrystrabane.com/ Draft Fermanagh and Omagh DC Climate Change implementation will be monitored and Sustainable Development Strategy “This Climate Change Adaptation Plan climate by the All-Party Climate Adaptation Community Groups contribute to is informative, innovative and robust in Working Group. This was established NI Resilience Strategy setting out the actions we will take to in June 2019 to discuss and debate Getting Weather Ready / Emergency Numbers Consultation opens on draft Fermanagh and Omagh District Regional Community Council Climate Change and Sustainable Development Strategy Resilience Group GETTING Climate change has been Commenting on the Strategy, Cllr Chris McCaffrey, Chair of the Fermanagh and WEATHER recognised internationally Omagh District Council Cross Party Climate as the most important Change Resilience Group said: READY environmental challenge that “Climate change is a top priority for the we currently face. Council and we recognise that we must take action now to not only adapt to the The RCRG Newsletter We know that our local climate is changing, effects of climate change that have already it is becoming less stable with incidents of been realised but also to take steps to severe weather, including heavy rainfall and mitigate against further future impacts. Contents storms happening much more frequently. We really want to hear the public’s views CLICK TO READ... and would encourage individuals, groups Getting ready for Winter Driving The media has graphically shown the effects and organisations to respond to our of major flooding in some communities, consultation.“ Weather Summary traffic chaos during heavy snows and empty NI Water Demand Surge & Water Efficiency reservoirs in summer droughts. Copies of the consultation documents Introducing the TICC are available by: Power Cut Ready The Council’s draft Climate Change and Downloading the documents from the Sustainable Development Strategy sets out Council website: What is the NI Resilience Strategy? some practical steps which can be taken, www.fermanaghomagh.com/your- Lockdown Help for Farms over the coming years, to minimise climate council/consultations/draft-climate- Test Trace Protect Needs Your Support change impacts on our day to day lives. The change-and-sustainable-development- #BeReadyNI Campaign September 2020 Strategy also suggests ways in which we can strategy-2020-2030/ try to counter the severity of this climate Get your flu vaccine Telephoning the Council: emergency. 0300 303 1777 Toome Road Flood Alleviation Scheme Textphone: 028 8225 6216 Derry City and Strabane District Council adopt The Strategy and associated Action Plans Climate Change Adaptation Plan will be delivered by various service areas Email: within the Council. The Council’s Cross- [email protected] Draft Fermanagh and Omagh DC Climate Change and Sustainable Development Strategy Party Climate Change Resilience Group Closing date for consultation responses developed the Strategy and will monitor is Fri 30 Oct 2020. Community Groups contribute to progress at their quarterly meetings. NI Resilience Strategy Getting Weather Ready / Emergency Numbers Community Groups contribute to NI Resilience Strategy Regional Community Joan provided the group with Resilience Group Representatives of information about the new Community Resilience Resilience Strategy which sets out GETTING Groups from Ahoghill, priorities for 2020 - 2025 and the arrangements in place to ensure WEATHER Broughshane, Toome communities in Northern Ireland are as resilient as possible to respond READY Road Ballymena and to and recover from emergencies. Martinstown welcomed She recognised the many years of experience members had in working Joan McCaffrey, through the implications of flooding The RCRG Newsletter Regional Officer: Local and severe weather. She stressed the importance of incorporating Representatives from Community Government Civil Resilience groups join consultation this knowledge and learning in the Joan welcomed their views and workshop Contents Contingencies to a process of developing strategic reiterated the importance of CLICK TO READ... direction and plans. listening to communities and consultation workshop Getting ready for Winter Driving adapting policies and procedures Further information about the in the Council offices. The importance of statutory, to meet emerging needs. Members community resilience groups in Weather Summary voluntary and community groups thanked Joan and the Community Mid and East Antrim Borough NI Water Demand Surge & Water Efficiency working together with local people Resilience partners, acknowledging Council area can be found at Introducing the TICC was reiterated as members shared the support they have received over www.midandeastantrim.gov. Power Cut Ready CIVIL CONTINGENCIES their own experiences of flooding the years and said they were looking uk/resident/environmental- RESILIENCE and severe weather and how their forward to hearing more as the health/community-resilience What is the NI Resilience Strategy? STRATEGY multi-agency arrangements worked in strategy is implemented. along with other useful Lockdown Help for Farms FOR NORTHERN IRELAND practice. information about how to Test Trace Protect Needs Your Support 2020-2025 Robert Getty from Ahoghill ensure your community and Members also described the impact Community Resilience Group said, your own household is resilient #BeReadyNI Campaign September 2020 on individuals and families such as “Having contacts within statutory to flooding and severe weather. Get your flu vaccine the resulting stress, pressure on their agencies and advance warning Toome Road Flood Alleviation Scheme own mental health, practicalities of weather events has helped us restoring homes and accessing enormously. We still worry about the Derry City and Strabane District Council adopt insurance. Many of these impacts impact of heavy rain and snow and Climate Change Adaptation Plan are still being felt today as members ice but we are now more prepared Draft Fermanagh and Omagh DC Climate Change continue to try to protect their and know how to get help quickly. and Sustainable Development Strategy homes from severe weather events. It is also good to be involved in this Community Groups contribute to process and have a way to raise NI Resilience Strategy issues as they arise.” Getting Weather Ready / Emergency Numbers GETTING WEATHER READY Emergency Regional Community Resilience Group The Regional Community Resilience them and improve preparedness Numbers Group (RCRG) was formed in and community resilience measures. 2013 to help local communities GETTING No matter how prepared we prepare for and respond to weather Unfortunately, severe weather events are for inclement weather, Regional Community related emergencies. will continue to occur but through WEATHER there’s always the chance of Resilience Group good communication, accessible, an emergency at home. Here’s The group brings together Multi- reliable information and established READY a list of phone numbers you The Regional Community Agency Partner Organisations practical measures, communities might find useful should the from government, utilities and the can and have applied self-help unforeseen happen: Resilience Group voluntary sector to work for and measures to reduce impacts and Emergency Services: Newsletter aims to keep with Communities at Risk of Severe protect property. The RCRG Newsletter 999 or 112 Weather. its members up to This newsletter will be used to Housing Executive: date on getting The RCRG aims to provide a highlight important developments Contents 03448 920 901 forum to facilitate co-ordination, to enhance community resilience, CLICK TO READ... Northern Ireland  weather ready. communication, partnership provide an opportunity for Getting ready for Winter Driving Electricity Networks: working and capacity building on communities to share experiences 03457 643643 community resilience issues. The to the benefit of others and highlight Weather Summary group is currently working with over key responder contacts to help NI Water Demand Surge & Water Efficiency NI Gas Emergency Service: 30 communities across Northern readers to Get Weather Ready! 0800 002 001 Introducing the TICC Ireland ready to inform and resource Power Cut Ready NI Water Waterline: 03457 440088 Partner Organisations: What is the NI Resilience Strategy? Lockdown Help for Farms GOVERN Flooding Incident Line: AL M C E O N 0300 2000 100 L T Test Trace Protect Needs Your Support

R E E #BeReadyNI Campaign September 2020 For advice and information on SILIEN C dealing with emergencies visit: Get your flu vaccine www.nidirect.gov.uk/ Toome Road Flood Alleviation Scheme be-ready-for-emergencies Derry City and Strabane District Council adopt Problems with Roads & Climate Change Adaptation Plan Streets: Draft Fermanagh and Omagh DC Climate Change www.nidirect.gov.uk/ and Sustainable Development Strategy information-and-services/ Community Groups contribute to travel-transport-and-roads/ NI Resilience Strategy problems-roads-and-streets Getting Weather Ready / Emergency Numbers