After hours without being able to communicate through the official channels of the Council (social networks) because of the incidents caused by the power outage and communications at national level, we are back to normal and we report on the evolution of yesterday and the recommendations of the authorities:
Activation of CECOPAL:
Yesterday, Monday, at around 1:30pm, the CECOPAL (Municipal Operational Coordination Centre) held a meeting to coordinate the emergency. From first hour, the Mayor, the Councillor of Citizens’ Security, the Local Police, Civil Protection and the other members of the government team set up an operation in the police station.
Local Police and Civil Protection operations:
A total of 8 patrols were active between the Local Police and Civil Protection, with 8 police agents and practically all of the Civil Protection volunteers on active duty. In addition, the rest of the police forces were in permanent contact and offered their help in the event of the possible need of more agents.
In the first hours of the emergency, two interventions took place: the rescue of a child in a lift and the assistance with the ambulance in the transfer of a sick person with reduced mobility isolated in a house with difficult access.
From early afternoon, the Local Police and Civil Protection were informing the entire population through a public loudspeaker announcement, which was the only technical means available as all other communications (telephone, internet, social networks, whatsapp, etc.) were cut off.
All the devices were on patrol throughout the day and until the early hours of the morning with the objective of assisting anyone who might need it and had no option of communicating. Also to ensure the security of businesses and homes. Fortunately, there were no notable incidents.
Thanks to the provision of radio devices (walkie talkies), communication between CECOPAL members was fluid at all times.
Meeting of mayors’ offices at Dénia Hospital:
The Dénia Health Department called an emergency meeting at 6pm with all the mayors’ offices of La Marina Alta in order to inform them of the situation, coordinate health management and prevent possible critical situations. The basic needs of the department were discussed, as well as the protocol established for specific cases of sick people with special demands, such as ALS patients, patients with assisted breathing, etc.
Water supply:
Although there were some deficiencies in water pressure in some specific areas of the municipality due to difficulties in the pumping systems and tanks, there have been no cuts in the supply of drinking water. Currently, the tanks are working almost 100% and the service has been restored to normal. We would therefore like to thank Hidraqua, the company managing this service, for their diligence and effort to ensure the supply in optimum conditions, despite the difficult situation.
School activity:
The Emergency Coordination Centre of the Generalitat Valenciana has issued a communication recommending that schools in the Valencian Community maintain their canteen and transport services, but without teaching activity.
Improvements for future emergencies:
Although the emergency situation due to the power and communications blackout has been dealt with, this event, which has caught us unprepared, has highlighted the need to incorporate improvements in the municipal emergency management system.
Thus, work is already underway to implement tools that can facilitate both communications and electricity supply, such as the purchase of walkie talkies, generators and other means to cover the basic needs of the agents involved in emergency management (police, civil protection, medical services, health centres, hospitals, political leaders, etc.).
MAJOR THANK YOU :
From El Poble Nou de Benitatxell Council we would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all the staff who were involved in the management of the emergency yesterday from the very first moment, as well as to the population in general for keeping calm and collaborating in a situation of uncertainty for all of us.
To Local Police and Civil Protection especially for their willingness from the very first moment and their great coverage throughout the day, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, YOU ARE GREAT!
We will keep you informed, as long as possible, if there are any new developments.
