The European Resist project workshops, promoted by the Mancomunitat de l’Horta Sud, Connect Clean, and Avre Expertise, have concluded with a practical exercise at the Florida de Catarroja educational complex. This center was a key aid point during the DANA of October 29, 2024, and the experience has served to identify areas for improvement in the planning and execution of emergency services.
The working group was composed of first-year Logistics degree students, representatives from Civil Protection of Torrent, Red Cross of l’Horta Sud personnel, local police chiefs from various municipalities, leaders of victim associations, and international specialists. The session began with a presentation on the experiences at Florida during the DANA, given by professors José Luis Peiró and Antonio Ortega, who detailed how the facilities were converted into a shelter, logistical supply warehouse, veterinary hospital, and healthcare point.
“"It was expected that loaded trucks would arrive and where we would accumulate material, but no one considered that it had to be distributed, so we had to use private cars, go on foot, or call the Army, which was located nearby."
After the presentation, the hundred participants were divided into groups to tour the facilities and spaces where emergency services were developed. Each group then drew up proposals to improve operations, based on the experience gained. Recommendations include ensuring material availability in each healthcare dependency, improving patient triage, establishing priorities in animal care, evaluating infrastructure impact before implementing a service, introducing environmental agents into operations, and maintaining constant coordination with municipal Cecopales.
A team of specialists in each field also provided their recommendations. All this information will be compiled into a comprehensive document to be delivered to the center for its future planning. The Resist project, funded by the Erasmus K-210 call from the European Union, has included online training for municipal staff in areas such as floods, fires, and heat and cold waves, with the participation of 30 expert panelists. The generated material is available on an interactive platform that will soon be open to the public.
“"Preparation and prevention are fundamental in the face of catastrophes. DANA will not be an exception; the climate emergency situation we are experiencing will bring us different phenomena for which we must anticipate."
