The work of Civil Protection in Spain continues to demonstrate its importance to the safety and well-being of citizens . Various municipalities are continuing to strengthen their resources and adapt their services to face the many challenges that arise daily, especially in emergency situations and at large events.
Across the country, the creation of new units and the modernization of alert systems are shaping current trends in all aspects of Civil Protection. Below, we recount the most recent developments and significant advancements in prevention, response, and public service.
New Civil Protection unit in Castalla
Castalla has decided to take a step forward in protecting its residents with the imminent launch of its own Civil Protection unit . According to Magdalena Berenguer, head of the Citizen Security department, this measure aims not only to increase local safety but also to expand direct support for residents.
The new group will initially consist of eight volunteers from the municipality, who will be responsible for providing support in emergency situations and preventing potential risks during major events , such as the upcoming San Roque festivities. The Chief of the Castalla Local Police, Raúl Alós, emphasized the volunteers' commitment, praising them as fellow citizens willing to selflessly help their community.
During its initial phase, the group will have its temporary headquarters in the former Chamber of Commerce buildings. The plan is for the unit to officially debut around the time of the local celebrations in August.
Temporary suspension of the Civil Protection group in Bermeo
After more than 30 years of uninterrupted service , the Civil Protection team of Bermeo has announced a temporary suspension of its activities. Founded in 1992, the group has become a benchmark for both the city and nearby towns, working in areas as diverse as rescue, telecommunications, and logistical support.
The reality is that, despite the high demand for interventions —some 1.938 since 2016—the burden falls on a small group of fifteen people, of whom only about six remain consistently active. This imbalance, coupled with a lack of sufficient resources to respond to all the incidents that arise, has led the members to take a break until autumn, uncertain whether they will be able to resume their activity.
The group has been crucial in responding to all kinds of emergencies, from fires to rescuing people, controlling leaks, and providing support during storms . The decision is painful for the municipality, which could be left without a fundamental resource for its safety if the volunteer base and institutional support are not strengthened.
The role of ES-Alert: technology at the service of security
In the current context, the rapid and reliable transmission of information is essential in emergencies . The ES-Alert system , operational since 2023, has become an indispensable tool managed by Civil Protection and other authorities to alert the public about imminent risks.
ES-Alert allows direct alerts to be sent to the mobile phones of people in areas affected by adverse events , such as forest fires, severe storms, earthquakes, chemical emergencies, or other disasters. The main advantage of this system is that it uses cellular radio broadcasting, thus ensuring that alerts are received even when mobile networks are congested.
For citizens to benefit from this alert channel, it is essential that they keep the emergency alert function active on their mobile devices.
Essential services and recent actions
In addition to institutional initiatives, recent interventions have highlighted the effectiveness and dedication of these teams . For example, in El Puerto, a woman was resuscitated in the street thanks to the swift and coordinated action of the Local Police and Civil Protection volunteers, who performed CPR and immediately used a defibrillator. As a result, the woman was stabilized until the arrival of specialized medical teams.
Likewise, coordination between Civil Protection and other emergency services has been key in situations such as forest fires or lockdown alerts, where recommendations have been quickly communicated to the population to minimize risks.
All these events reflect the importance of maintaining and strengthening local Civil Protection groups and investing in training and community engagement . An effective emergency response would not be possible without the involvement of volunteers, institutional coordination, and the support of cutting-edge technological systems like ES-Alert.
Their work continues to be essential to the safety of society, although it often goes unnoticed, its value to the community is incalculable.
