Chemical risk alert drill in Tarragona and Terres de l'Ebre, on May 29

Civil Protection will carry out a test of activation of sirens chemical risk in the regions of Tarragona and Terres de l'Ebre this May 29th at 4:00 p.m. During the exercise, 55 sirens will be activated—52 from the PLASEQTA (Tarragona Chemical Sector External Emergency Plan) and another three located in Flix and Tortosa. In addition, the population of the affected areas will receive two ES-Alert messages on their mobile phones: one to start the lockdown exercise and another to end it. It is estimated that the test could reach a population of more than 200,000 people.

Unlike other exercises, on this occasion the population of the Tarragona area is expressly invited to practice lockdown. The objective of the Government of Catalonia is for citizens to understand the sound of the sirens, become familiar with mobile alerts, and put into practice the self-protection advice to follow in the event of a real chemical accident, that is, to self-isolate.

What area will be affected?

In total, fourteen municipalities are participating in this test, twelve of which are located in the PLASEQTA. These are Constantí, Canonja, Garidells, Morell, Pallaresos, Perafort, Puebla de Mafumet, Reus, Salou, Tarragona, Villalonga del Camp, and Vila-seca. In these towns, residents will be asked to practice self-isolation following self-protection instructions. In Flix and Tortosa, sirens will be activated, but no specific lockdown request is made.

What should you do if you live in the simulation area?

If you live in one of the affected areas, on Thursday, May 29th, at 4:00 PM, you will hear the sirens of the test and receive an alert on your mobile phone. This does not indicate a real emergency, but it is important to know how to react.

First, take shelter at home or, if you are on the street, enter the nearest building and apply self-protection measures. Civil Protection reminds citizens to close doors and windows, turn off exterior ventilation or air conditioning, and not go outside until receiving the signal to end the alert. As the information campaign posters say: "STAY INSIDE!"

Once the exercise is over, you will be able to make an assessment. in this survey, published by the Department of the Interior and Public Safety.

What do sirens sound like?

He sound of confinementThe siren has an oscillating tone, similar to that of an ambulance, and lasts for three minutes in three one-minute cycles separated by five seconds. The end-of-emergency sound is higher-pitched and constant, lasting 30 seconds. You can hear the sound of the sirens from your device. in this link.

Information campaign

The chemical emergency exercise scheduled for this week has been prepared with an intensive information and awareness campaign. In total, 36 talks have been given to diverse groups such as schoolchildren, the elderly, industrial and hotel workers, as well as members of the security forces.

1,600 posters and 21,000 informational brochures have also been distributed in the Tarragona area, and around 100 posters and brochures have been distributed in Terres de l'Ebre, in collaboration with the 14 municipalities involved. Schools, nursing homes, and day centers will actively participate in the exercise, and all staff are trained to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable people in the event of a real emergency.

Civil Protection emphasizes that this test is essential to strengthen public preparedness for any chemical eventuality.

June 4, in Barcelona

This will be the second siren test this year in Catalonia. The first took place on Wednesday, May 21, in the chemical sectors of Tordera, Central Catalonia, and Aran. A third test will also take place on June 4 in Barcelonès, Baix Llobregat, and Vallès.