Valencian Government Faces Criticism Over Emergency Alert Delays During Severe Weather
Pilar Bernabé, the Government delegate in the Valencian Community, has reiterated that the Generalitat maintains a singular command over the Integrated Operational Coordination Center (Cecopi), a framework through which emergencies are addressed without the need for voting processes. This declaration comes amid scrutiny regarding the timing of alert messages sent to the public during the devastating storm on October 29. Critics, including Bernabé herself, have questioned the absence of an emergency alert until the arrival of the president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón.
Speaking to the media in Paiporta, Valencia, Bernabé confirmed that Cecopi was established at 5:00 PM on the day in question. At that time, Salomé Pradas, the Minister of Justice and Interior, headed the Steering Committee alongside Bernabé, as part of the Special Plan against flood risks.
When probed whether the decision to issue an EsAlert message to mobile phones was mutual between her and Pradas, Bernabé pointed out the clear hierarchical command, stating that Pradas was responsible for the decisions made during this critical period.
Bernabé explained that approximately 45 minutes after Cecopi convened, Pradas had requested attendees to switch off their cameras for discussions regarding the emergency plan. Upon reconnection, it was announced that an EsAlert would be sent. This raises questions about Mazón’s involvement at the Cecopi meeting at that moment and why the alert was issued only after his appearance.
She also emphasized her proactive role during this time, noting that she was in contact with mayors to gauge the situation and urged for a broader alert to be dispatched across the province rather than limit it to the Ribera Baixa region. "All this will come out, and the facts will be discussed wherever necessary," she stressed.
Bernabé called for the Generalitat to make recordings of the Cecopi meetings available for transparency, lamenting that such recordings have been minimized or used selectively by various political entities, particularly the Popular Party (PP). She pointedly noted the contradiction in claims about the existence of these recordings, suggesting that there may have been attempts to conceal information.
In parallel, José María Ángel, the Spanish government's special commissioner for the reconstruction and repair of damages inflicted by the storm, declared that there was a significant delay in convening Cecopi, especially following meteorological warnings about impending severe rainfall. He emphasized that such meetings should be initiated promptly to ensure timely decision-making.
Angel expressed astonishment at the military's involvement being summoned at 3:00 PM, well before Cecopi convened. Reflecting on the decision-making protocols, he stated that once the Aemet had issued severe weather advisories, it would have been prudent to engage all decision-makers early on to effectively mitigate risks.
The ongoing discussions surrounding the emergency response in Valencia raise crucial questions about coordination, transparency, and effectiveness of crisis management strategies in the face of natural disasters. As investigations continue into the decisions and actions taken during the storm, the Valencian Government is under pressure to demonstrate accountability and improve future emergency responses.
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