SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 25th June (EUROPA PRESS) –
Today, Tuesday, an agreement was signed between the Cabildo of Tenerife and the Ministry of Defence to establish a collaborative effort aimed at enhancing environmental and territorial protection, as well as security and civil protection on the island during the fire season of 2024.
The signing ceremony was attended by the President of the Tenerife Cabildo, Rosa Dávila; the Director-General of Defence Policy, Fernando López del Pozo; the Commander of the Canary Islands Command, Julio Salom Herrera; and the Chief of the General Staff of the Canary Islands Command, Luis Cortés Delgado.
Rosa Dávila described this as “a landmark event, unparalleled in the Canary Islands and only the second of its kind signed by the Ministry of Defence across Spain, focusing on wildfire prevention.”
The initiative, codenamed ‘Prometheus’, will deploy ten ground patrols daily, eventually totalling 920 patrols over the campaign period, providing round-the-clock surveillance of the Tenerife mountains during critical months such as July, August, and September.
Rosa Dávila emphasized that today marks “a significant day for Tenerife, ensuring safety for its residents and safeguarding our natural surroundings.” “This agreement will significantly reinforce the Brifor Operation established for the 2024 fire season.”
Furthermore, she highlighted that the Army’s role “extends beyond mere monitoring and deterring; it involves providing crucial intelligence to firefighting services and notifying security forces about any suspicious activities, considering that the vast majority of fires are ignited by human actions, either deliberate or through negligence.
The military patrols will concentrate on the most vulnerable areas of Tenerife, and in case of a fire, they will assist in ensuring the safety of individuals, families, and their properties through a well-coordinated and effective operation.
In his statement, the Director-General of Defence Policy, Fernando López del Pozo, affirmed that this collaborative agreement signing “epitomizes Spain’s defence policy objective, which is ultimately the protection of society.” “This agreement presents a golden opportunity to put this policy into action, with the ultimate goal of promoting citizens’ well-being,” he added.
“This agreement enables us to conduct patrols across the island of Tenerife in close collaboration with its people, working alongside the Canary Islands command forces, cooperating with field specialists to prevent these devastating fires. We aim to combat this scourge that not only impacts the environment and properties but also people’s lives,” he concluded.
“We are dedicated to giving our best efforts, hoping to celebrate a successful outcome at the end of summer, as the measures taken and the dedication of the patrolling troops prove fruitful in achieving our mission. Enhancing defence awareness is crucial, and this agreement strengthens bonds with society, aligning with our objectives,” López del Pozo stated.
ENHANCED SURVEILLANCE AND DETERRENCE.
The Ministry of Defence will implement a ground patrol operation and potentially other capabilities, with a focus on surveillance and deterrence from 1st July to 30th September inclusively. Initially, the surveillance area and primary action zones for land patrols will encompass the entire surrounding interface area adjacent to forested Protected Natural Spaces susceptible to wildfires on the island of Tenerife.
The Armed Forces will establish necessary command posts for overseeing and controlling land patrols and other capabilities, assigning liaison officers to various committees and coordination centres as required. The deployment will include 10 daily ground patrols, a mobile maintenance unit, and the necessary elements for command and control, all under the Army’s jurisdiction.
On the other hand, the Cabildo of Tenerife will equip each ground patrol with suitable GPS devices containing updated digital maps for navigation in forested terrains, along with TETRA communication means ensuring connectivity.
