SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 29 Oct (EUROPA PRESS) –
In September 2025, Garachico will host a volcanic emergency exercise as part of the EU-Modex initiative, an international training aimed at assessing and enhancing Tenerife’s capacity to respond to a volcanic crisis, in accordance with European safety regulations.
The president of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, alongside the Minister of Natural Environment, Sustainability and Security and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, convened a meeting this morning with a delegation from the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism to initiate the planning of this drill.
The gathering, which took place at the Cabildo headquarters, also saw the participation of the Director of Emergencies, Iván Martín, and the Director of Civil Protection, Alejandro Trujillo, along with a senior European delegation that included representatives from countries such as Romania, Italy, Sweden, Austria, and Ireland.
This delegation comprised the deputy director general from Romania’s Department of Emergency Situations, the deputy director from Italy’s Department of Civil Protection, and various international experts entrusted with coordinating and supervising the exercise, which will feature a simulated preventive evacuation in a neighbourhood of Garachico.
The president emphasised the importance of this drill as a unique opportunity for learning and cooperation: “This large-scale drill will enable us to evaluate our capabilities within a safe and realistic framework, assessing our organisation, communication, and response to a volcanic emergency.” Furthermore, she highlighted that participation in this project, supported by the European Commission, represents “a significant opportunity to align our preparedness with European standards and effectively safeguard our population.”
Additionally, Rosa Dávila elaborated on the rationale behind choosing Garachico for this exercise. “This municipality holds particular significance regarding the island’s volcanic history. In 1706, Garachico experienced the catastrophic repercussions of a volcanic eruption that altered its narrative and that of the island.” She noted that selecting Garachico for this exercise “is both symbolic and strategic, reminding us of the vital need for preparedness and effective action plans to protect the population and lessen the impact of any volcanic incident.”
COLLABORATION AND JOINT EFFORT
Minister Blanca Pérez added that this exercise will involve the cooperation of essential organisations such as the National Geographic Institute (IGN), the CSIC, the Volcanological Institute of the Canary Islands (INVOLCAN) operated by the Cabildo, the University of La Laguna, the Tenerife Firefighters Consortium, Brifor, the Military Emergency Unit (UME), and the Army.
“The involvement of all these organisations is crucial, alongside that of the citizens, who will actively participate in the communication and prevention exercise during a potential volcanic emergency. Furthermore, during the week of the drill, a series of informational activities will be conducted to ensure the population comprehends the significance of this initiative and the necessity for preparation and safety,” Pérez clarified.
In turn, the director of the EU-Modex Lot 4 project, Bogdan Pop, expressed gratitude for the warm welcome in Tenerife and underscored the importance of this drill in improving the island’s response plans. “This exercise is a remarkable opportunity to assess Tenerife’s readiness and bolster the response capabilities of its teams and citizens in the face of a volcanic crisis,” Pop stated. He also underscored that this experience would facilitate collaboration between local technicians and European experts, enabling them to share knowledge and tailor procedures to the island’s realities.
The Civil Protection Mechanism of the European Union has been activated over 600 times since 2001, providing assistance during global crises. In 2023, it has intervened in significant emergencies such as the earthquake in Turkey, wildfires in Chile and Greece, and floods in Italy, Libya, and Germany. Being part of the EU-Modex project offers Tenerife the chance to incorporate these European operational standards into local volcanic emergency management, thereby enhancing the island’s safety and preparedness.
