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Chemical Emergency Sirens to Sound Again in Six Basque Municipalities

Tests will be conducted in May to verify the warning system and remind citizens of self-protection measures.

Generic image: Three chemical sirens installed against green hills in Euskadi.
IA

Generic image: Three chemical sirens installed against green hills in Euskadi.

The Directorate of Emergency and Meteorology and the association AVEQ-KIMIKA will conduct chemical siren tests on May 22, 25, and 26 in Hernani, Muskiz, Santurtzi, Zierbena, Abanto-Zierbena, and Lantarón.

The Directorate of Emergency and Meteorology of the Basque Government, in collaboration with AVEQ-KIMIKA (Basque Association of Chemical Companies), will carry out a new test activation of the chemical emergency sirens installed in various municipalities of Euskadi on May 22, 25, and 26. These checks aim to verify the proper functioning of the population warning system in case of a chemical accident and to remind citizens of basic self-protection guidelines in the event of a toxic leak from chemical industries subject to SEVESO regulations.
Concurrently, the Department of Security will activate the “112 Inverso” system, which allows for the sending of geolocated alerts to the population via the SOS Deiak APP, providing information and instructions on how to act in an emergency situation.
The tests will take place on Friday, May 22, in Hernani (Gipuzkoa); Monday, May 25, in Muskiz, Santurtzi, Zierbena, and Abanto-Zierbena (Bizkaia); and Tuesday, May 26, in Lantarón (Araba). This is a routine and scheduled action, so there is no cause for alarm for the public.
These affected companies are subject to the European SEVESO upper-tier regulations, considered among the most stringent in the world for industrial safety. All of them have an External Emergency Plan developed by the Directorate of Emergency and Meteorology, which establishes coordination and response mechanisms for potential accidents with external impact.
The acoustic warning system has two distinct signals: Alert start: three undulating signals of one minute each, separated by five-second silences. Alert end: a continuous, flat signal of 30 seconds. In the event of a real activation, the alert signal implies the need for immediate confinement in a closed space as the primary self-protection measure.
In case of a real alert for a toxic leak, it is recommended to quickly take refuge in a closed building, stay in interior rooms, close doors and windows, and seal air inlets. It is crucial to follow only the official information disseminated by the authorities. Furthermore, it is reminded not to use air conditioning or go outside until the authorities announce the end of the emergency.

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