Coordination and efficiency, now more necessary than ever

In the field of emergency prevention and management, we operate in a highly unpredictable environment, characteristic of an age defined by climate emergency. This has increased both the frequency and the intensity of the risks we face. There are plenty of recent examples: from Storm Gloria to the DANA floods that caused severe personal and material damage in Valencia; the persistent drought we've been suffering for the past three years; or the high-intensity wildfires that now even occur outside the usual forest fire season.

And of course, the blackout. When an essential service suffers widespread disruption, it is vital to  be in contact with Endesa and integrate it into the technical committees—to share information, make technical decisions, and define strategy  together with the emergency response bodies. The key organisations involved in emergency management and resolution are actively engaged,alongside the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police), the fire brigades of Catalonia and Barcelona, the Emergency Medical Service, the 112 hotline, and Civil Protection. Priorities are identified, and actions are taken accordingly, bearing in mind the urgency of the situation and the vulnerability of those affected, including hospitals, police stations, fire stations, and so on.

This ongoing dialogue is vital to ensure the effectiveness and speed of the response by the emergency system. Having access to generators, identifying where they are most needed, being aware of which emergencies have already been resolved, and focusing on the next ones based on priorityenables us to provide a faster and more effective response. It is crucial to maintain a macro-level perspective without losing sight of the details. That’s why it’s so important to be part of bodies like the technical committees overseeing emergency response plans (PROCICAT, NEUCAT, INUNCAT, among others), depending on the type of risk. Their operation guarantees optimal emergency management.

Another key aspect is coordination between the communication offices of the Directorate General of Civil Protection and Endesa. This collaboration is especially necessary in situations where the power supply must be interrupted to allow emergency crews to work safely (such as during wildfires), or to provide information about service recovery, as happened with the recent blackout. Civil Protection helps to convey this information to authorities—especially mayors and mayoresses—to the public, and to the media through its press office.