The Cabildo Coordinates with Government Subdelegation, Civil Guard, National Police, and Canary Police for Participation in EU-Modex Tenerife 2025 Exercises
From 22nd to 28th, Garachico will be the focal point with a week of cultural and leisure activities for the community, culminating in a volcanic risk drill on the 26th
The Cabildo de Tenerife, along with the Government Subdelegation, Civil Guard, National Police, and Canary Police, has finalised preparations for the exercises conducted as part of the volcanic response drill taking place in Garachico during the EU-Modex Tenerife 2025 Week, from 22nd to 28th, which is integrated into the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism.
The Counsellor for Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security, and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, stated, “Collaboration among administrations and the services deployed is essential for responding to the public in the event of a volcanic crisis. The drill on the 26th, part of the EU-Modex Tenerife Week in Garachico, is a valuable opportunity to assess this. We have been meeting with the Government Subdelegation for months to refine collaboration and strategy for participation in the exercise, where they will have the opportunity to enhance their capabilities.”
Officials from the Security Forces, led by the Government Subdelegation, held a meeting with the Island Director of Security, Iván Martín, and area technicians to define their participation in the various programmed scenarios, aiming to test their response during a simulated volcanic crisis.
In this instance, the Civil Guard will be responsible for the Security Group, tasked with managing, coordinating, and establishing order, flow, and sequencing of the evacuation, determining the streets to check each home for the successful evacuation of residents.
Meanwhile, the National Police along with its Tedax team will participate in a drill concerning Volcanic or Toxic Gases, testing their personnel on the use and handling of gas detection equipment and measuring instruments. They will also engage in the ‘Evacuation of Non-Resident Persons’ drill.
The Island Director of Security and Emergencies, Iván Martín, emphasised “the importance of the active participation of the Civil Guard and National Police across different scenarios, with exercises that will test their responses within the coordination framework among administrations, entities, and bodies essential for managing a simulated crisis of this magnitude. Through this EU-Modex Tenerife Week in Garachico, we are preparing to respond to the community in the event of a crisis. Our goal is to make Tenerife a safer island.”
Workshops and Activities
Throughout the week, specialised working groups will address Evacuation, Shelter and Social Assistance, and Communication and Information to the Public, three fundamental aspects for determining the basic assistance protocols during an eruptive episode at any phase. Additionally, a Scientific Committee comprising experts and specialists will independently test their capabilities in the face of volcanic risks.
For seven days, Garachico will be the undeniable meeting point of Tenerife, as residents and visitors will have the opportunity to engage each day in educational outreach activities, prevention workshops, formative sessions, and interactions with members of the Scientific Committee, among others.
Drill Highlights
Friday, 26th September, will mark the climax of the EU-Modex Tenerife Week focused on volcanic risk, as it will include a simulated volcanic eruption. This drill aims to test the effectiveness of protection and assistance for citizens, and will involve more than 1,000 participants.
Experts and emergency specialists, alongside members of the Security Forces and island and regional services, will address various situations, drills, and incidents across five scenarios to assess their responses and evaluate their operations in order to identify strengths and weaknesses within the system.
The exercises scheduled include ‘Coordination and Management at the Advanced Command Post (PMA)’, ‘Protection Exercise for the Convent of San Francisco’, ‘Ammonia Leak in Refrigeration Chamber’, ‘Search for Missing Person in a Ravine, Evacuation of Person with Reduced Mobility’, ‘Search and Reconnaissance’, ‘Volcanic Gases’, ‘Essential Basic Services’, ‘Evacuation of the Elderly Centre’, ‘Evacuation of Animals’, ‘Volunteer Assistance Point’, ‘Evacuation of Non-Resident Persons’, and ‘Drone Coordination’.
Moreover, results and proposals for improving volcanic risk management will be presented, involving experts, authorities, and emergency personnel.
Actions will commence early in the morning and at 9:00 a.m., in coordination with the Government of the Canary Islands, an official alert message regarding the drill (ES.Alert) will be sent to the entire island population via mobile phones.
Following this, events will unfold rapidly, culminating in a simulated volcanic eruption and continuing with a field exercise involving actors and residents engaged in various incidents around the Historic Centre of Garachico, concluding the activities at 14:00 hours.
