Lessons learnt from storm emergency operation

All members of the CECOP emergency control centre which co-ordinated operations during last week's storms, met yesterday to analyse its response to the weather alert. Balearic Interior Minister, Josep Maria Costa, presided over the meeting and while all the institutions involved in the emergency were praised for their action, there was concern over the efficiency of communications between the authorities, local councils and the units on the ground battling the storm. Costa said that an alternative communication system needs to be set up in case of future emergencies on this scale so that neither standard telephone lines nor the public emergency hot lines are used. Majorca Fire Brigade chief, Francesc Buils, suggested that the digital radio system be extended across the island, although the costs would have to be carefully evaluated first. Costa said that emergency co-ordination needs to be established in Ibiza and Minorca while the fire services called for more investment in order to ensure that the security and emergency services have the best equipment.