The 1st International Week of Safety and Emergencies, organised by the Town Hall of Arona through the Security department, in collaboration with the Government of the Canary Islands and the Tenerife Cabildo, brought together specialists, authorities, and professionals from security and emergency services over several days.
The initiative combined technical training, roundtable discussions, and open activities for the public.
The event’s opening coincided with the World Suicide Prevention Day, featuring a presentation by Pedro Martín Barrajón, a psychologist specialising in crisis intervention. He addressed “the impact of suicide from the perspective of professionals who encounter it in their daily lives.” Meanwhile, Juan Manuel García “Pincho”, an authority in crisis communication and operational leadership, provided insights on “key strategies for effective action in high-tension contexts.”
Focus on Extreme Phenomena
The second day centred on the management of extreme phenomena, such as the DANA of Valencia in 2024, with contributions from Javier Lozano, a former Air Force captain, and José Miguel Basset Blesa, chief officer of the fire brigade, who shared their experiences from both ground and air perspectives.
The programme concluded with a roundtable discussion titled “Is Tenerife a Safe Island? Are We Prepared for a Catastrophe?”, where experts in security and civil protection debated current and future challenges facing the island.
Workshop for Journalists
Simultaneously, journalist Yaiza Perera conducted a workshop at the Association of Journalists of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, focusing on the role of media in suicide prevention.
Safety and Emergency Fair
The week culminated in the Safety and Emergencies Fair, held at the Plaza del Pescador over the weekend. The event featured demonstrations, interactive workshops, live displays, and exhibitions of emergency vehicles and equipment.
Among the participants were the Tenerife Fire Consortium, the Tenerife Forestry Brigades (BRIFOR), Red Cross Spain, the Emergency and Rescue Group of the Government of the Canary Islands (GES), the National Police Force with their Prevention and Reaction Unit, the Citizen Participation Unit, and the Scientific Police, as well as the Civil Guard, the Local Police of Arona, and Arona Civil Protection – Association for the Development of Emergency Actions (ADAE), alongside other associations from the Federation of Emergency Associations of the Canary Islands (FEDAEC).
This free event, aimed at all ages, attracted a large audience, particularly families and young people, firmly establishing itself as a genuine meeting point between the public and emergency services.
Engaging the Community
During the two days of the fair, the large crowd witnessed firefighters managing a simulated fire, TEDAX teams neutralising an explosive device, and Red Cross Spain conducting a practical class on cardiopulmonary resuscitation. These were just a few examples that clearly demonstrated the daily work of those responsible for protecting citizens and ensuring our safety and wellbeing.
Additionally, educational workshops, informational talks, and activities for children were offered, aiming to foster a culture of prevention and self-protection from an early age.
