The Catalan capital is preparing for a special event this Thursday, September 14, 2023: a mock alert in Barcelona that will ring cell phones in the city and its metropolitan area.
It is a safety exercise, a civil protection test to which you should pay attention. The first thing you should know is that this alert should not cause panic.
It is a drill organized by Civil Protection to test the effectiveness of its alert notification system. The goal is to ensure that in the event of a future emergency, all citizens of Barcelona and the surrounding area can be notified in advance, which could help reduce risks and save lives.
Timetable of the alert drill in Barcelona
The drill will take place during the morning and noon on September 14, following a staggered schedule for different areas:
10:00 AM: at this time alerts will be activated in Vallès Oriental, Maresme, Sant Adrià del Besòs, Badalona and Santa Coloma de Gramenet.
11:00 AM: Barcelona city will be the focus of the Civil Protection alert.
12:00 PM: the Vallès Occidental area will receive the simulated alert.
1:00 PM: the alert will be sent to the phones located in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat and Baix Llobregat.
It is important to mention that these Civil Protection alerts do not violate users’ privacy. They are emitted via radio signals and affect all devices within range, without collecting personal information.
In addition, this preventive technology is present in many countries and can be enabled or disabled in your smartphone settings. However, it is essential that these systems be implemented by public agencies to maximize their reach and effectiveness.
Previous tests and benefits
This simulation in Barcelona is in addition to a series of previous tests that have already been carried out throughout 2023 in other Catalan regions, such as Lleida, Girona and Tarragona. With this exercise, the four Catalan provinces will have undergone tests of the Civil Protection alerts.
The purpose of these tests is to ensure that the system is prepared to notify the population in case of real emergency situations, such as natural disasters or risk situations.
This alert drill in Barcelona is an example of Civil Protection’s commitment to the safety and well-being of citizens. Although the tone of the alert may be disturbing, it is important to remember that this is a test that seeks to keep the population informed and safe in critical moments.
Being well prepared and understanding how these systems work is part of the preparation that citizens should have to face emergency situations in the future. Technology and prevention are fundamental allies.
