tenerife volcanic drill public role

Tenerife volcanic drill reveals need for more active public role

Tenerife volcanic simulation: systems work, but public must play bigger role

The Cabildo of Tenerife, together with European evaluators from EU-MODE, presented the conclusions and recommendations of the European volcanic drill MODEX this Friday. Conducted on the island in September 2025, the exercise determined that the operation functioned adequately, but stressed that the population should cease being a passive agent and become a protagonist in crisis management situations.

Evaluating response capacity

During the day’s proceedings on the exercise, it was possible to rigorously evaluate the capacity to respond to a volcanic emergency and move towards a more effective and people-centred management model, the Cabildo emphasised in a statement. The insular corporation noted that the conclusions drawn from the drill show that the technical and operational structure worked properly, while also highlighting the need to continue evolving towards a more human approach to emergency management, where the public plays an active role.

Key areas for improvement

Among the main lines of improvement identified, the statement underscored the push for an active citizenry, where the population becomes the protagonist in managing crisis situations. To achieve this, the Cabildo is committed to reinforcing specific training and guaranteeing accessible, clear and effective communication channels. The analysis of the drill also highlighted the importance of strengthening the structure of the Special Plan for Civil Protection and Emergency Response to Volcanic Risk of the Canary Islands (PEVOLCA), by integrating all actors involved and institutional roles more effectively.

Alert systems and communication

In terms of alert systems, the exercise validated the need for multiple, inclusive and complementary early warning channels, always incorporating analogue backup systems to guarantee communication in the event of technological failures. The European Commissioner for Civil Protection, Marco Panigalli, evaluated the development of the exercise and the role of the Cabildo very positively, highlighting that “Tenerife has demonstrated a robust, coordinated civil protection system with a great capacity to respond to complex scenarios.”

Presentation in Garachico

The presentation took place in the municipality of Garachico, the same location where the drill was held. It was attended by the Minister for Security and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez; the Insular Director for Security and Emergencies, Iván Martín; the Deputy Minister for Emergencies of the Government of the Canary Islands, Marcos José Lorenzo; and the Mayor of Garachico, José Heriberto González. Also present were numerous security and emergency personnel, as well as the scientists involved.

Advances in alert systems

For his part, Iván Martín pointed out that one of the major advances to come out of this drill is the improvement in alert and communication systems. “We are betting on multiple, inclusive and resilient tools, capable of functioning even in scenarios of technological failure, guaranteeing that information always reaches the public,” he said. Along the same lines, the head of the Civil Protection Service, Néstor Padrón, highlighted that the MODEX exercise had been key to testing the real-world operability of the devices.

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