Emergency Preparedness in Tenerife
A radio, batteries, a torch, a notebook, a pen, a thermal blanket, a hygiene kit, a document holder, and a wallet for some cash. These are the essential items that comprise “the backpack that everyone should have in Tenerife in case of an emergency,” according to Rosa Dávila, President of the Cabildo of Tenerife, during the distribution that took place on Wednesday, 24 September. This initiative precedes the volcanic eruption simulation currently taking place in Garachico, which will reach its climax on Friday, 26 September.
The island authority has delivered 73 bags, according to the Red Cross, to the residents of the Villa and Puerto with essential items for facing a volcanic emergency. 70 individuals from various areas of the municipality have visited the old Convent of San Francisco to collect their bags. Each household received one bag. Furthermore, Dávila confirmed that this backpack will also be distributed to the populations of the other five municipalities in Tenerife that are in the most affected areas should an eruption occur. Residents of La Orotava, El Tanque, Guía de Isora, Icod de los Vinos, and Santiago del Teide will also receive the pre-training provided over the past few weeks in Garachico by the international NGO. The distribution of these materials is a result of an agreement between the Cabildo of Tenerife and the Red Cross.
Coping with Nerves
During the simulation, 200 residents from the old wharf area will be evacuated. Loli Velázquez, María Candelaria Méndez, Cristina Méndez, and Silvia González live there and are approaching the exercise with calm. “We’ll wait for instructions on what we need to do. No need to be nervous, why? If you’re going to be informed? Let’s hope it doesn’t happen, but if it does, they will know what to do,” says Velázquez confidently. The four residents from this emblematic area agree that it can be “a bit chaotic for older residents. One person preferred to leave Garachico during the simulation as she was very nervous,” they report. This situation is compounded by the recent swarm activity and a circulating rumour through messaging apps about an “imminent eruptive process.”
Backpacks for Everyone
The distribution of these evacuation kits is not limited to residents of Garachico who will participate in the simulated evacuation exercise on Friday, 26 September. Dulce González Illada and Nieves González are from Genovés, a neighbourhood in the midlands of the northwestern municipality of Tenerife. “We signed up to attend the talks and collect the backpack,” explains González Illada. “There’s a mix: some are anxious about what they hear. It’s increasingly mentioned that an eruption is possible, although also many people are dismissive of the issue,” the residents acknowledge. They express a sense of resignation regarding the possibility of an eruptive event affecting Genovés: “Whatever is meant to happen, will happen. We’ll see what we do.”
At the end of the backpack distribution, a demonstration was held to explain the contents and their use. “The aim is to encourage preventive preparedness among families and to facilitate the adaptation of the kit to the particular needs of each household, incorporating the lessons learned during the training day,” stated officials from the Cabildo.
Simulated Environment
Garachico has become the epicentre of emergency preparedness in Europe this week. The simulation exercise taking place on Friday, 26 September, is part of the EU-Modex Tenerife 2025 initiative, which is evident as one walks through the municipality: individuals wearing vests from various security forces, screens allowing direct viewing of the exercise, stands, and signs diverting traffic are some of the indicators that something important is happening in this area with volcanic history.
