Cabildo of Tenerife Enhances Emergency Response with New Tetra Communication System

In a significant move to bolster its emergency response capabilities, the Cabildo of Tenerife has recently acquired a set of portable Tetra communication devices. This initiative, announced on October 29, 2024, is part of the island's ongoing efforts to improve its preparedness and response to various emergencies.

Improved Communication Infrastructure

The new Tetra system, which has been invested in with a budget of 12,000 euros, is designed to be independent of conventional communication networks. This independence is crucial, as it ensures that communication lines remain operational even when traditional networks fail or are overwhelmed during emergencies such as natural disasters, incendios, or volcanic eruptions.

Blanca Pérez, the Consejera de Medio Natural, Sostenibilidad y Seguridad y Emergencias (Counselor for Natural Environment, Sustainability, and Security and Emergencies), emphasized the importance of reliable communication during emergency situations. "The communications are very important when the territorial and special plans are activated based on the risk, fundamentally the PEIN of Tenerife or the Infoca. After the 2023 fire, it was confirmed that the Cecopin is essential as the manager of extraordinary emergencies, highlighting the value of communications and the need to improve them to coordinate future incidents," she stated.

Enhanced Coordination and Response

The Centro de Coordinación del Operativo Insular (Cecopin), the central coordination point for emergency operations, will greatly benefit from these new devices. Iván Martín, the Director Insular de Seguridad y Emergencias (Insular Director of Security and Emergencies), highlighted that "the ability to coordinate an incident or emergency in real-time is essential, especially in the first hours of the crisis, as well as in the management of the operations. The units, whether on land or in vehicles, will be able to receive and transmit orders instantly, accelerating decision-making and the execution of specific actions."

These Tetra emitters will facilitate seamless communication between Cecopin, operational commands, action groups, and other human resources involved in emergency response, including logistics, health, and security teams. This redundancy in communication systems ensures that emergency teams can maintain their operational capacity even when conventional networks are compromised.

Collaboration and Future Preparedness

The Cabildo of Tenerife is committed to enhancing the safety and accessibility of the island, particularly in high-risk areas. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve emergency response mechanisms, reflecting the administration's dedication to the well-being and safety of its residents.

As Tenerife continues to prepare for potential emergencies, including volcanic eruptions and other natural disasters, the integration of advanced communication systems like Tetra is a significant step forward. This move not only strengthens the island's emergency response capabilities but also aligns with European standards of security and emergency management, as highlighted by the upcoming volcanic emergency simulation planned for Garachico in September 2025.