Simultaneous alert test set for 19 October
On Monday 19 October at 10:00, Protecció Civil will conduct a full-scale test of Catalonia’s chemical risk alert system. The exercise will begin with an ES-Alert message sent to all mobile phones across the region, followed by the simultaneous activation of 119 sirens in 47 municipalities. In the Camp de Tarragona, 52 sirens will sound, affecting around 200,000 people. The drill, which lasts approximately 20 minutes, marks the first time Catalonia has activated all its chemical risk sirens at once. Previously, tests were carried out separately by territory. This coordinated approach aims to verify both the technical functionality of the alert infrastructure and public awareness of emergency procedures.
Municipalities involved in the Camp de Tarragona
In the Camp de Tarragona, the sirens will be audible in Tarragona, Reus, Vila-seca, Salou, Constantí, la Canonja, el Morell, and La Pobla de Mafumet, among others. Residents may also hear alarms in nearby towns without their own sirens due to proximity. Overall, about 930,000 people across Catalonia will be exposed to the test, primarily in high-risk industrial zones such as Barcelona and the Camp de Tarragona. Two of Catalonia’s 121 chemical risk sirens will not take part; both are located in Barcelona and are currently out of service due to technical faults.
The goal is to ensure that everyone living in a chemical risk zone knows what to do when they hear the siren.
The exercise was presented on Thursday at the CAT112 emergency coordination centre in Reus by Marta Cassany, Director General of Protecció Civil, and Lucía López, Government Delegate in Tarragona.
What to do during a real chemical emergency
When a chemical incident occurs, the primary safety measure is to stay indoors and confine oneself inside a building. Closing windows and doors and switching off ventilation systems helps reduce exposure. According to guidance from the Department of Interior (FAQs risc quimic CAT), if you hear the sirens, go indoors immediately and remain there until an official all-clear is issued via channels such as @emergenciescat on Twitter. Residents are reminded that not all chemical incidents trigger sirens, only those posing a threat beyond the immediate facility. If sirens sound in nearby areas but not your own, check official sources before deciding whether to confine. After the test, members of the public can complete an anonymous online survey to provide feedback on the alert system’s effectiveness.
Primary sources: Generalitat de Catalunya. Departament d'Interior, dsp.interior.gencat.cat, Direcció General de Protecció Civil, govern.cat. Reported by elperiodico.com, Infocamp, Ràdio Ciutat de Tarragona.
