Extreme Weather Emergency Protocol

EXTREME WEATHER EMERGENCY PROTOCOL

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) leads the response to ensure homeless persons at risk are sheltered for the duration of any extreme weather event. We have been working with the our partners in homeless services and the other Dublin Local Authorities to develop and implement contingency plans, as part of a coordinated response that can be activated during extreme weather conditions or adverse event.

The DRHE receives direct alert weather warnings from Met Eireann to allow for contingency plans to be activated immediately. The Alert system involves three levels of severity: 

Red(highest severity and relatively rare events), Orange (severe weather- can impact significantly) and Yellow Alerts (not threatening to general population but can pose high risk for people exposed to the weather).

The alert warnings cover a broad range of weather types: Wind, Rain, Snow, Low Temperatures, Fog, High Temperatures, Thunderstorms, and Coastal Wind Warnings. Extreme Weather alerts can stay in effect for short periods or may be extended for a number of days. The alert system is fully explained on Met Eireann’s website: https://www.met.ie/met-eireann-warning-system-explained

Responses to Extreme Weather Alerts:

The DRHE has a range of rapid emergency accommodation and support measures which will be activated depending on the level of severity and the type of weather alert predicted, these include:

Ensuring continued operation of DRHE essential services;

Increased capacity in existing emergency accommodation;
Increased support services staffing and / or hours of operation by the Outreach teams.
Enhanced day services during extreme weather events;
Additional emergency placements / shelters in various designated centre/s specifically targeted at people sleeping rough;
Ensure effective communications systems are in place.
All of these responses have been implemented for extreme weather since 2018, led and fully resourced by DRHE, and operated by a range of NGO service providers with the specific competencies to respond quickly and effectively.

ALERT-HOMELESS SERVICES RESPONSE

RED

This is the most severe weather warning, and also quite rare. During red alerts the general population are advised to take protective measures. Depending on the location, type of alert, timing and duration of the alert, any or all of the following can be implemented:-

1. Ensuring continued operation of DRHE essential services;

Increased capacity in existing emergency accommodation;
Increased support services staffing and / or hours of operation by the Outreach teams
Enhanced day services;
Additional emergency placements / shelters in designated centre/s specifically targeted at people sleeping rough;
Other supports as required.

ORANGE

Severe weather which can impact significantly. Depending on the location, type of alert, timing and duration of the alert, any number of the following can be implemented:

Increased capacity in existing emergency accommodation;
Increased support services staffing and / or hours of operation by the Outreach teams;
Enhanced day services;
Other supports as required.

YELLOW

Yellow alert indicates that the weather is not threatening to general population but can pose risk for people exposed to the weather. Depending on the location, type of alert, timing and duration of the alert, any number of the following can be implemented:

Increased capacity in existing emergency accommodation if required;
Enhanced day services;
Other supports as required.

General Information

If an individual / family is presenting as homeless for the first time in Dublin, their respective Local Authority will carry out a comprehensive assessment.

Dublin City Council Central Placement Service for singles and couples;

Tel: 01 222 6944 Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm. Email: homelesscps@dublincity.ie

Dublin City Council Central Placement Service for families;

Tel: 01 222 6977 Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm Email: family.support@dublincity.ie

Homeless FREEPHONE 1800 707 707; for access to emergency accommodation out of hours for the Dublin Region - 10am to 10pm 7 days a week

Housing Support Officers- providing housing advice and move on options to families and individuals in emergency accommodation.

Tel: 01 222 7437 Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm Email:housingsupport@dublincity.ie

HAP

Tel: 01 222 6400 Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm Email: hap@dublincity.ie

Fingal County Council Homeless Section

Tel 01 890 5090 Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm Email: homeless@fingal.ie

South Dublin County Council Homeless Section

Tel: 01 414 9364 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Email:sdcchomeless@sdublincoco.ie

Dún Laoghaire – Rathdown County Council Homeless Section

Tel: 01 205 4804 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Email: homeless@dlrcoco.ie

Tenancy Protection Service – 1800 454 454

Dublin Street Outreach Service Tel: 01 872 0185 from 7am to 1am The DRHE in partnership with Dublin Simon Outreach are assertively working on the streets offering accommodation to all rough sleepers. The teams are very familiar with the locations of people sleeping rough across the Dublin Region and persistently work with individuals to support them into emergency accommodation. This process can take time and multiple contacts, as some people do not want to engage (for whatever reasons) but the teams persevere with every person working to achieve a successful outcome.

The service operates 365 days a year, until 1am. The Outreach Teams also ensure that people sleeping rough are linked with other appropriate health services such as addiction and mental health services to prevent further rough sleeping. The Outreach team makes referrals to Housing First in order to support people who are entrenched rough sleeping to permanent accommodation with long-term supports.

All emergency accommodation is now 24 hour, with food and shower facilities provided.

We would also continue to ask the public for their assistance during this time to let us know if they come across someone sleeping rough on our website here or call 01 872 0185 or via our free app Dublin City Rough Sleeper Alerts available on both Apple & Android platforms

For further information:

DRHEmanagement@dublincity.ie