The Castellon Province Fire Department is coordinating a big emergency response plan for the summer season.
With summer approaching, the Fire Department has prepared a large-scale operation comprised of resources from the this department and resources from the Valencian Regional Government (Generalitat) assigned to that department.
Of the up to 232 personnel deployed daily for emergencies, 103 are from the Provincial Consortium’s own resources, including, among others, 40 personnel from professional fire stations, 25 from volunteer fire stations, 20 from the BRAF (Forest Fire Brigades), 4 from the UML (Mobile Mobile Unit), and 3 CPC (Community Policing Center) operators. The Valencian Regional Government (Generalitat) is providing 117 personnel from the UBF (Forest Fire Brigades) and 12 aerial resources assigned to Castellón.
Regarding firefighting equipment, the operation will include 41 fire engines from the Consortium and the Generalitat’s UBF, 5 water tankers from the consortium with a total capacity of immediate supply of 120,000 liters and 5 GVA firefighting aircraft (2 helicopters and 3 planes, one of them amphibious) assigned to Castellón.
The Castellon Province Fire Department also has rescue boats to cover the entire coast and inland waters. Along the coast, there are three rescue boats based in the ports of Benicarló, Oropesa del Mar, and Burriana, and three rescue jet skis stationed at the fire stations in Benicarló, Oropesa del Mar, and Nules. In addition, there are three more rescue boats for inland waters such as rivers and reservoirs.
Furthermore, the deputy responsible for the Fire Department, David Vicente, announced that this year, as part of the logistical support for the Advanced Command Post (PMA), a new, fully equipped 40 m² emergency tent will be added. “This new resource will support the Mobile Coordination Unit and serve as a space for command meetings, coordination, and information sessions for municipalities involved in the emergency,” he explained.
Tactical Coordination Exercise
To ensure maximum coordination, the Forestry Section of the Castellon Province Fire Department is conducting a tactical command coordination exercise for forest fires in anticipation of the peak fire season in the province.
The exercise focuses on practicing coordination and command protocols for forest fires based on a practical scenario involving a forest fire affecting an urban-forest interface zone. During the exercise, various inputs are presented that the command and coordination personnel must resolve, thus providing a practical review of established protocols and improving overall operational coordination. The exercise also puts into practice the communication and coordination procedures between the various participating units, the Command Post (PMA), and the different intervention sectors.
Awareness Campaign
Along with all the human and material resources at the disposal of the Provincial Council of Castellón, the Council emphasizes the importance of raising public awareness and sensitivity to prevent fires, “because every action counts and the best way to fight a fire is to prevent it from starting,” stated David Vicente.
In this regard, the provincial institution is launching an awareness campaign accompanied by a promotional video, which, under the slogan “Cuida’m sempre” (Always Take Care of Me), highlights the importance of caring for and respecting the province’s natural heritage.
As part of forest fire prevention efforts, the Castellon Province Fire Department is issuing a series of tips for the public this summer, including avoiding any type of fire in forested areas; refraining from smoking and discarding objects such as bottles that could start a fire during walks or hikes in the mountains; and avoiding barbecues, even in authorized areas (remember that they are completely prohibited during Level 3 fire alerts).
