Community centres invited to join Wicklow’s emergency support network
The Wicklow PeopleWicklow County Council has begun seeking expressions of interest from community halls, sports clubs and other publicly accessible local buildings to form a new network of community support centres that can be activated during major emergencies.
The initiative, announced this week, aims to strengthen the county’s ability to respond quickly when severe weather, prolonged power outages or other disruptions affect residents.
The council says the centres will act as safe, familiar locations where people can access information, basic welfare supports and a reliable power supply at times when normal services may be interrupted.
They will only open when required and will be located close to affected communities to ensure that help is available within walking distance for those who need it most.
Flooding in Aughrim during Storm Chandra. Photo: Patrick Byrne
Officials emphasise that the scheme is built around the experience and commitment of local volunteers, who have played a central role in recent incidents including flooding, storms and forest or brush fires.
By identifying suitable buildings and volunteer groups in advance, the council hopes to reduce response times and ensure that communities have a dependable point of contact during emergencies.
As part of a national programme, high‑powered generators have been supplied to every local authority for use in designated centres. Funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is also being provided for the installation of changeover switches, allowing generators to be connected quickly when a centre is activated.
The council says this will ensure uninterrupted power, even during extended outages, and will allow centres to operate safely and effectively regardless of conditions on the ground.
Community halls, GAA clubs, sports facilities, libraries and other suitable venues with an active volunteer base are all being encouraged to apply. The council notes that centres must be publicly accessible and capable of hosting welfare and information services during emergencies.
The local authority stresses that all data submitted will be managed solely within the organisation and will not be shared externally. The deadline for submissions is September 30.
The initiative forms part of a wider effort to improve community resilience across the county, ensuring that local organisations are equipped and supported to respond when severe weather or other incidents occur.
By building a network of ready‑to‑activate centres, the council says it aims to provide a dependable safety net for residents and strengthen the county’s overall emergency preparedness.