The Cabildo of Tenerife will collaborate with a consortium comprised of four EU nations to conduct a volcanic risk simulation in Garachico during the last week of September 2025. This exercise aims to assess the island’s civil protection preparedness.
This drill will occur “under realistic conditions and in a secure environment,” focusing on evaluating the communication strategies for informing the public and the effectiveness of the planned evacuation, as noted by Rosa Dávila, the president of the Cabildo of Tenerife, on Tuesday.
By participating in this initiative, Tenerife joins a consortium of European Union countries that are evaluating their response capabilities in the face of potential volcanic threats.
“We reside in a volcanic region, among volcanic islands, and our involvement in this consortium of the European Commission aims to prepare us over the course of a year for any genuine volcanic emergency,” Dávila remarked.
This consortium, the president cautioned, not only facilitates assessment but also enhances the response capabilities following the drill in Garachico.
In response to a query regarding the selection of Garachico, she recalled that this municipality experienced a “devastating volcano” in 1706, which significantly impacted its history: “It lies in an area deemed to have a high volcanic risk and was therefore a suitable location for this simulation.”
The Minister of the Natural Environment, Blanca Pérez, has clarified that the drill’s organisation will involve the entire civil protection framework of Tenerife, the Canary Islands, and the national government. This collaboration will include public organisations such as the IGN, CSIC, IGME, and Involcan.
Pérez also mentioned Tenerife’s civil protection system, which encompasses the Fire Brigade and BRIFOR of the Cabildo, alongside coordinated efforts with the regional authorities of the Canary Islands, the UME, and the military.
“Tenerife has its volcanic risk strategy. Our aim is to implement it throughout the island, starting with Garachico. Additionally, we seek to engage in an evaluation involving all our experts, those from Spain, and the wider European community,” the councillor stated.
Bogdan Pop, the Deputy Director-General of the Emergency Situations Department from Romania and Director of the EU MODEX Lot 4 Project, remarked on the tremendous opportunity this initiative offers for training and enhancing the skills of local and European specialists.
“This presents an excellent opportunity to test existing plans,” Pop said, highlighting how the exercise will boost public awareness and strengthen resilience.
According to the Tenerife Town Council, the EU MODEX programme aims to optimise the response of Civil Protection teams and technical assistance modules during emergencies through cooperation and knowledge exchange among EU member states.
This Tuesday’s meeting, which took place within the island’s governing body, was attended by Rosa Dávila, the president of the Tenerife Cabildo, Blanca Pérez, the Minister of Natural Environment, Emergencies and Security, and Iván Martín, the Director of Emergencies, along with a team of EU MODEX representatives.
