EU Review Urges Overhaul of Tenerife’s Volcanic Emergency Protocols
A technical review of the EU Modex Tenerife 2025 volcanic exercise has prompted 67 recommendations to improve human resource management, command structures, and public communication protocols for future emergency responses.
A technical review of the EU Modex Tenerife 2025 exercise, held last September in Garachico, has revealed that the island’s response protocols for volcanic disasters need to be updated. Following an analysis session held this Friday, European oversight officials presented the Tenerife Island Council with 67 recommendations based on 103 technical suggestions.
Néstor Padrón, head of the Technical Service for Security and Civil Protection, presented the findings, which highlight a gap between the island's effective technology and its management of human resources. While the simulation’s technical infrastructure performed well, the report identified weaknesses in the chain of command and a lack of clear operational leadership during the deployment. Additionally, the report noted that the scientific committee’s data sharing was too rigid, calling for a more open and accessible communication strategy for the public.
Although the emergency plans themselves were functional, the report emphasizes that the "human factor" needs significant improvement. It suggests that while public participation in the exercise was positive, residents need better training on volcanic risks. The report also highlights the need to improve working conditions for emergency personnel operating in high-pressure environments.
This evaluation will guide future emergency planning in the region. The Island Council is already preparing for a forest fire simulation in La Guancha on May 15. While no dates have been set for future volcanic tests, the municipalities of Santiago del Teide and Guía de Isora are being considered as potential locations to test the island's response to a future geological crisis.