Mid and East Antrim support centres identified in the event of an emergency

The locations were identified in a report presented to the borough council’s Direct Services Committee this week.

All centres in Mid and East Antrim have already had adaptations carried out following risk assessments including hand sanitizers, screens and signage. Capacity must meet social distancing requirements.

A report to the committee explained that Covid-19 has necessitated a review of the Emergency Support Centres on the council’s register to ensure these remain “fit for purpose”.

Thirty-three buildings, mainly community centres in each district, are listed on the register. The council’s main civic building, The Braid, in Ballymena, is not included.

The council must ensure that each centre is opened on request of the PSNI in an emergency.

Suitability during the Covid pandemic is based on one main hall and three smaller rooms, a minimum of two toilets and adequate carparking.

Councillors were told other local authorities have also had a reduction in the number of emergency support centres that meet Covid requirements.

The report stated: “The movement of large numbers of people from their homes to an enclosed space has the potential to introduce additional risk from Covid transmission and the feasibility of each of the council’s emergency support centres has had to be re-evaluated.

“If a situation arises requiring the use of an emergency support centre, the reduction from 33 centres to five centres could potentially cause access issues for residents from rural areas.

“Homeowners who do not have access to a car will be offered alternative transport to the emergency support centre. The protocol already stipulates that the PSNI/Translink are responsible for these arrangements.”

Read a prevoius emergency planning story here

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

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