Ireland launches nationwide emergency preparedness campaign

The Irish Office of Emergency Planning has launched the ‘Be Emergency Ready’ campaign, which includes a nationwide distribution of preparedness booklets to approximately 2.2 million households. The initiative aims to help citizens prepare for various disruptions, including storms, power outages, flooding, and health emergencies.

The campaign follows a long history of public information efforts in Ireland. In 1965, for example, the government issued the ‘Bás Beatha’ publication, which provided guidance on surviving nuclear fallout during the Cold War era. Modern advice focuses on practical household steps, such as maintaining supplies of non-perishable food and water to reduce disruption during localized crises.