Carlow Emergency Training Exercise

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Town on red alert for emergency training exercise


Last Updated Mar 2012
By: Mairead Wilmot
MAJOR accident is being planning for Carlow town.

Director of services Dan McInerney informed members of Carlow Town Council last week that the local authority would be leading a full-scale emergency exercise on the evening of Thursday 29 March.

“It’s the most ambitious regional exercise we have ever held,” admitted Mr McInerney. “This will test us.”

The scale of the incident, which is being held to train emergency services staff, is expected to be vast. Dr Cullen Road will be closed to traffic between 6.30pm and 2am on the day, but local access will be allowed. A coastguard helicopter will also be involved in the exercise, which is due to be based around a massive rail accident.

Mr McInerney told councillors that Iarnród Éireann has come on board for the training exercise, which will involve all aspects of the emergency services. Exact details of the proposed accident are currently in the planning stages but are likely to be kept secret so that staff can react appropriately.

Along with staff reacting on the spot, councillors and the media will also be involved, as part of the exercise involves giving a fullbriefing to keep members of the public informed.

The incident will involve gardaí, the fire brigade, ambulance crews, the coastguard and council employees, who will be involved in responding to the crisis situation.

Mr McInerney told members the exercise is “a learning opportunity for everyone involved – we want to enhance the co-operation between all of the divisions involved in responding to major emergencies”. He added that it was also about “reinvigorating” people’s knowledge of their roles in emergencies.

While commending the exercise as “admirable”, cllr Anne Ahern enquired if there was a fear it could turn into a “spectator sport”. Mr McInerney said there was a small concern but pointed out that, as with all emergencies, members of the public would be kept away from the actual incident.