El president of the Diputación de Albacete, Santiago Cabañero, has issued a message of calm from the Emergency Advisory and Monitoring Center (CAS) established to coordinate the response to the blackout affecting the entire country. In the province, this has led to the rapid mobilization of all available resources.
Cabañero, along with the provincial vice president, Fran Valera, the deputy for the Special Fire Prevention and Extinguishing Service (SEPEI), José Antonio Gómez, and the head of the SEPEI Service, Francisco Ovidio García, are working from the central facilities of the Diputación’s SEPEI. The telecommunications system at this site allows for «agile and effective» coordination between all administrations and their respective public safety services, as reported by the Diputación in a press release.
«From the very beginning, we have been monitoring the situation, gathering the necessary resources here, and acting where necessary,» the president stated. Regarding the Provincial Service, he detailed that this morning their teams have carried out ten operations, mainly rescuing people trapped in elevators or with reduced mobility.
FIRE IN A BAZAAR IN VILLARROBLEO
The president explained that, in addition to addressing issues related to the blackout, the SEPEI teams are focusing on a completely different matter this Monday: extinguishing a significant fire in a bazaar on Avenida Reyes Católicos in Villarrobledo, near a gas station. This has mobilized about 18 firefighters from three fire stations: Villarrobledo, Hellín, and La Roda, with the rest on standby and several relief teams prepared.
The fire, according to Cabañero, is contained and under control, although professionals indicate that extinguishing it will take some time.
Apart from this situation, the provincial leader emphasized, «We can convey a message of reassurance. We are still active and prepared for any contingency,» he emphasized.
In line with the recommendations issued from the beginning by the Directorate General of Traffic, Cabañero urged the public to limit road travel to essential trips only, emphasizing that «any incident further complicates the response in such a sensitive moment.»
COORDINATION BETWEEN ADMINISTRATIONS
The emergency response is coordinated by the Castilla-La Mancha Regional Government, whose provincial delegate, Pedro Antonio Ruiz Santos, explained the transition from level 1 to level 2 in the emergency plan, prioritizing essential electrical supplies (mainly to hospitals and care homes) and ensuring fuel supply for emergency generators.
On the other hand, the Mayor of Albacete, Manuel Serrano, highlighted the swift activation of the Municipal Emergency Territorial Plan (Platemun) and the deployment of over 70 Local Police officers. They are working to ensure mobility, assist in hospitals, care homes, and nurseries, and support the population in times of need.
From the Spanish Government Sub-delegation in Albacete, Miguel Juan Espinosa stated that the presence of the Civil Guard and National Police has been increased to ensure security, especially in critical infrastructures. He confirmed that no serious incidents have occurred beyond the mentioned fire in Villarrobledo.
WATER SUPPLY
Cabañero also emphasized the reassurance regarding water supply in the province. «A sweep has been conducted across the entire territory, municipalities have alternative plans to ensure drinking water supply, and no significant issues have been reported to us. However, the Diputación de Albacete is ready to intervene in any municipality requiring additional support, including the transportation of drinking water or other essential supplies.»
Regarding scheduled activities, the Diputación quickly canceled the celebration of the Provincial Sports Awards 2024 gala scheduled for 7:00 pm at the Teatro Circo in the city. Likewise, the Albacete City Council has suspended all social, sports, and cultural activities planned for the day, following the principle of caution and coherence with the recommendation not to travel.
As for the return to schools, the Junta has confirmed the suspension of all educational activities in the province of Albacete.
The administrations continue to work in a coordinated manner, with the primary goal of «protecting the population and ensuring that, once this emergency is overcome, everything returns to normal as soon as possible,» as Cabañero concluded.