The Government of the Canary Islands will conduct a new test of the emergency alert system, known as ES-Alert, on Friday, 26th September, on the island of Tenerife. This initiative aims to enhance public awareness regarding the National Civil Protection System following similar exercises conducted across the Archipelago in recent years.
Organised by the Ministry of Territorial Policy, Territorial Cohesion, and Water, through the General Directorate of Emergencies, the ES-Alert drill is part of a volcanic eruption simulation planned by the Tenerife Cabildo in Garachico.
Specifically, the Emergency and Security Coordination Centre (CECOES) 112 will send out three emergency alert messages between 9:00 and 13:00. Recipients may receive these messages at the time of transmission or upon entering the network coverage area of their mobile operator if they are currently outside it. Messages will not be delivered if the phone is switched off or in airplane mode.
It is crucial for those driving not to panic and to stop their vehicle safely to read the emergency message and press “accept”. Once accepted, the message will disappear from the mobile screen.
If there are elderly family members in the vicinity, it is advisable to explain this alert system to them beforehand to prevent alarm.
Additionally, the alert message can also be received in English if the mobile phone is set to a language other than Spanish.
Functionality
Nearly all mobile phones with data service can receive civil protection alerts when correctly configured. It is only necessary to have the alert reception option turned on. Devices running Android version 11 or newer, or iOS version 15.6 or newer, have this option activated by default. If your device is on an older version, guidance on how to update can be found at the following link.
These tests are publicised in advance to ensure the population is aware, thereby avoiding unnecessary alarm. All 4G and 5G mobile devices within the coverage area will receive a text message stating “TEST”, accompanied by a beep and vibration. After reading the message and pressing “Accept”, it will disappear. There is no need to respond or call 112.
Background
This new tool of the National Civil Protection System is already operational in the Canary Islands and has been utilised during the recent wildfires in La Palma and Tenerife. To ensure its optimal functioning, periodic tests are conducted in various locations across the Canary Islands, allowing the public to become familiar with the system.
ES-Alert enables the issuance of alerts during disasters or emergencies such as wildfires, floods, volcanic eruptions, or adverse weather phenomena without the need to install an application or register anywhere. This facilitates the delivery of self-protection instructions to those in affected areas.
It adds another layer of notification to the population, complementing conventional channels such as evacuation bulletins, media outlets, social networks, and public address systems. Comprehensive information about the ES-Alert system is available on the 112 website.
