Tomorrow, Thursday, around 800,000 mobile phones in Tenerife are set to receive a loud alert as part of a simulation for the Government Es-alert system, designed to familiarise people with emergency warnings.
The alert, expected to be heard between 10:00am and 12:00pm (midday), will sound on all phones connected to mobile networks on the island, regardless of device settings, including silent mode, network, or country of origin. The purpose is to prepare residents for real emergencies, such as floods, fires, or volcanic eruptions.
During a press conference held to introduce the drill, the president of the Tenerife Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, emphasised the importance of this test in helping people become accustomed to receiving these alerts. The technology, which utilises mobile phone antennas to send out warnings, has already been used in real emergency situations, such as during evacuations in this year’s wildfires in Tenerife.
Marcos Lorenzo, the Canary Islands' Deputy Minister for Emergencies, explained that the system is a valuable tool that ensures all phones within a certain range receive the alert, even with some possible delays due to network latency.
After the alert, residents will be invited to fill out a survey to help improve the system. In a previous test in Gran Canaria, over 52,000 people participated, providing feedback through artificial intelligence tools to analyse the responses. Moisés Sánchez, manager of the Canary Islands' 112 emergency service, expects around 60,000 participants in the upcoming survey for Tenerife.
Canary Islands authorities have been praised for their effective use of the Es-alert system, which will have its first nationwide test on November 28th, further reinforcing the island's role as a leader in emergency preparedness.
People are reminded not to be alarmed by Thursday's test, as it is purely a drill to ensure readiness for any future emergencies.
