The government wants to connect trains, electricity, and oil companies on its emergency radio channel.

BarcelonaThe Generalitat (Catalan Government) is considering incorporating key services and infrastructure, such as railway operators and some oil and electricity companies, into the RESCAT network, its emergency and security radio communications system. The goal is to ensure internal (within the services themselves) and external (with Civil Protection) contact. in case an emergency is declared that compromises conventional communication networks. According to ARA, this is one of the measures on the table by Salvador Illa's government to provide an integrated response that guarantees the continuity of strategic services in "situations of widespread failure," such as the one caused two weeks ago by the general blackout on the Iberian Peninsula.

Informed sources explain that the government has yet to study which basic services will end up linked to this direct radio line, which is based on TETRA technology (terrestrial trunked radio), a European standard that allows for multiple simultaneous communications in the same area and guarantees security and confidentiality in voice and data transmissions. However, potential incorporations include transport operators such as Renfe, Adif, and Ferrocarriles de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC), as well as telephone, oil, and electricity companies. In fact, these are the services that suffered the most from the consequences of the massive blackout.

This network, which covers 98.4% of the country from 316 base stations, is a more robust and protected structure, but also more reliable, as it has alternative power sources to the conventional electrical grid. Currently, there are nearly 35,000 terminals (approximately walkie-talkies) and the main users of this network are the security forces—Mossos d'Esquadra, local police, and Rural Agents—and the emergency services—Firefighters, Civil Protection, and the Medical Emergency System (SEM). It is also used, among others, by the Department of the Presidency and the Department of Territory, Housing, and Ecological Transition, as well as organizations such as the Catalan Water Agency (ACA) and the Catalan Traffic Service (SCT). Most city councils also have it, and the future plan is to incorporate the regional ministers of the Generalitat (Catalan Government).

A major hub in 2030

In fact, the government will approve an agreement this Tuesday with a set of strategic measures aimed at improving the country's response capacity to serious emergencies, in response to the situation experienced two weeks ago due to the widespread interruption of the energy supply. Many of these measures were announced by Isla last week in an appearance before the Parliament, such as the creation of a new, integrated building for the Catalan Operational Coordination Center (CECAT) for the 112 emergency response. Specifically, the government plans to have it ready by 2030 and, therefore, will create a working group, whose members have yet to be elected.

The government agreement also includes an update to the coordination protocols with local governments, to strengthen communication with city councils in the event of an emergency, and with operators, to reinforce public-private communication. Another measure is the search for mechanisms that ensure the energy autonomy of essential services (health centers, schools, police stations, and nursing homes) for up to 72 hours, following the recommendations of the European Union's Preparedness Strategy. This would prevent situations like the one left the only CAP that provides 24-hour care in Pallars Sobirà blind Because it didn't have a generator.

Furthermore, the Generalitat (Catalan government) acknowledges the need to adapt CECAT "to new technological and operational challenges" and, therefore, the infrastructure will strengthen the role of the Center for Telecommunications and Information Technology (CTTI) and the Cybersecurity Agency in managing incidents.