The Municipality of La Orotava, led by Narciso Pérez in the Security and Emergencies Department, has launched a campaign to prevent forest fires. The aim is to educate the public on how to prevent these incidents and what steps to take if they occur. This initiative is part of the Municipal Emergency Plan and aims to provide citizens with information to avoid risky behaviour that could lead to fires, as well as to inform them about alert systems using technology,” stated the mayor of the town, Francisco Linares, during the plan’s presentation. Also present were the Security councillor, Head of the Civil Protection Group, Miguel Ángel Pérez, and the Local Police sub-inspector, Ignacio Sánchez.
The campaign focuses on raising awareness and informing citizens through a newly released brochure detailing the Emergency Plan, its resources, functionality, and communication and alert systems. Security and Emergencies Councillor Narciso Pérez emphasized the importance of citizens knowing the resources available in the municipality to tackle such situations and the direct communication channels with each of them.
The mayor highlighted the crucial role the population plays in an emergency, referring to the devastating fire that affected Tenerife, particularly La Orotava, in the summer of 2023. He stressed how essential it is not only for people to be informed but also to know how to access relevant information.
The brochure features information and contact details for the media available in the Municipal Emergency Plan – CECOPAL and Civil Protection. It provides a direct communication channel via WhatsApp so that residents can receive alerts directly on their mobile devices from the Security and Emergencies Department, whether related to forest fires or other emergencies.
The brochure includes essential information citizens should be aware of, such as the definition of a forest fire, its origins, stages, prevention measures (even at home), and guidelines for actions in case of such accidents in mountainous areas or near homes. There is also a section on behaviour during evacuations and how to prepare for them.
Mobile Alerts
One new feature to keep the population informed promptly is the ES-Alert Alert System, which sends alert messages to mobile phones of both residents in the Village and those in affected areas. This system issues various types of alerts about risks to the population. In case of a forest fire, it will notify evacuation zones. All 4G and 5G mobile devices within the coverage area will receive a text with the word “evacuation”, accompanied by a beep and vibration. Once acknowledged by pressing “accept”, the message will disappear.
