Every household in Co Monaghan is set to receive a booklet with the aim of helping residents across the county to be prepared in the event of a range of emergencies.
Monaghan County Council will be distributing its 'Personal and Community Resilience Booklet' to every home and business from next week.
The booklets will be issued in English and Irish. People are asked to look out for the booklet and when it arrives they should read it, keep it in an obvious place, and above all, use it.
The booklet sets out the steps needed to be ready for a range of familiar crises, like a health emergency, a fire, severe flooding, loss of power after a weather event, a break-in to your home; or scammers at the front door with fake IDs. The booklet contains contact information for local services and tips for helping vulnerable neighbours, ensuring that no one is left behind during a crisis.
Along with the booklet, every household has received or will receive an‘emergency fridge magnet, which encourages residents to keep vital information such as their Eircode and the location of the nearest defibrillator visible at all times. Robert Burns, Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council says this booklet is the first step in empowering our communities.]
"In an era of increasing climate uncertainty and evolving risks - from severe weather events to public health emergencies - resilience is no longer just a reactive measure; it is a shared responsibility. He said, "this booklet is the first step in empowering our communities with the knowledge and tools they need to prepare, respond, and recover effectively."
Met Eireann Forecaster and Monaghan native Gerry Murphy says the initiative will save lives. " I have no doubt that this will save lives, and i have no doubt you will see this initiative being rolled out across the country.
"There is information in the booklet that surrounds the different coloured warnings that are issued by Met Eireann along with the protentional impacts that may occur and how you can be prepared for such events if they happen."
Speaking at the launch, Chief Fire Officer, Dermot Brannigan said that this booklet offers practical measures to take when the need arises and offers a point of reference for being prepared, which we can build upon. In essence, preparedness must be woven into the fabric of our community, and everyone has an important role to play. Today’s threats can be fast, complex, and interconnected, necessitating our response to be more proactive, more integrated, and more coordinated.
Also speaking at the launch, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Siobhán McKenna said that during emergencies, one of our biggest challenges is ensuring everyone receives critical information—not just those connected online. Social media and digital platforms play a huge role, but they don’t reach everyone. This booklet bridges that gap. By delivering it to every home and business in Monaghan, we’re ensuring that no one is left behind, regardless of age, ability, or access to technology.’
One example of the innovative features of the Resilience Booklet is the ‘Message in a Bottle’, which could prove lifesaving in a health emergency. When paramedics are called to assist an older person or someone with a medical condition, one of the first things they need to know is what health conditions the person has and what medications they’re on. Unfortunately, this critical information is often unavailable in a crisis, and precious time is lost.
To address this, every household (older people or people with medical conditions) in Monaghan will be asked to pick up a small green bottle from their local pharmacy or GP. Inside the bottle, there will be a form where families can record essential medical details. They will also receive three green cross stickers - one for the front door, one for the back door, and one for the fridge. When paramedics arrive, the green cross will signal that the fridge contains the ‘Message in a Bottle’. This will allow them to quickly access vital health information, saving precious time and potentially making the difference between life and death. This project has been produced by Monaghan County Council, the Health Service Executive and An Garda Siochana.
