Why your municipality needs an Emergency Action Plan

The high danger period of forest fires in Castilla-La Mancha It lasts from June 1 to September 30, as in most Autonomous Communities. In addition to fires, a municipality can face floods, seismic movements, agglomerations, etc.
Since the beginning of time, the forces of nature, human beings and the interactions that can occur between them have given rise to great risks that, if not prepared for them, can cause extensive personal and material damage.

The most effective prevention tool for the different dangers that can occur in a municipality is the development and maintenance of a Municipal Risk Response Plan. In the following lines, we detail the reason for its importance:

Types of risks and Special Plans for them.

El Emergency Plan for Municipal Risks It is a generalist element, in terms of the main risks and dangers that a municipality may have to face. Among the most common are:

• Floods
• Seismic and Geological Movements (Landslides).
• Inclement Weather (Snowfall, Extreme Rain, High Temperatures, Droughts... etc).
• Forest Fires.
• Urban and Industrial Fires.
• Transport Accidents (Vehicles, Railways... etc).
• Accidents due to Environmental Contamination (Nuclear, Radiological, Chemical Exhaust... etc).
• Crowds of people and health risks (Pandemics, Food Poisoning... etc).
• Accidents caused by sports activities.

During the analysis of these risks, if a high risk is detected in the municipality, a corresponding Special Plan must be drawn up, which must be processed independently of the general plan. The most common specific plans are Forest Fire Emergency Plans (PAMIF) and Flood Emergency Plans.

Regulatory Framework

The Municipal Territorial Emergency Plan (PLATEMUN or PTM) aims to achieve maximum protection both for people and for the environment and property that may be affected in any emergency situation. To this end, a hierarchical and functional organizational structure is established for the municipality's public and private resources and resources to deal with these risk situations.

The PLATEMUN or PTM is a lower-level plan compared to the Autonomous or State Emergency Plans, so it must be complemented by these higher-level Plans. In this way, there are regulations that must be applied in the preparation of the Territorial Municipal Emergency Plan.

Through the Law 17/2015, of July 9, on the National Civil Protection System it is intended to ensure the coordination, cohesion and effectiveness of public policies for civil protection and, through Law 7/1985, of April 2, Article 25.2 gives authority to municipalities to exercise powers in terms of state and regional legislation in matters of civil protection.

Thus, each Autonomous Community establishes the basis for the need to prepare these plans. For example, the Autonomous Community of Castilla-La Mancha indicates that they have the obligation to draw up a Territorial Municipal Emergency Plan:

• Those municipalities with more than 20,000 inhabitants.
• Municipalities that have the obligation to prepare a Municipal Action Plan taking into account its characteristics and the maximum risks it must face.

How would this plan be approved for my municipality?

First of all, the development of the PLATEMUN or PTM is the responsibility of the municipality concerned, so the latter will be responsible for assigning its production to the relevant technician or technical company.

Once this document has been prepared, it will be sent to the General Directorate responsible for Civil Protection of the Autonomous Community for correction. In the event of an unfavorable report, it will be returned for correction. And in a favorable case, the document will be approved and sent to the City Council for plenary approval.

Once the document has been approved, it becomes mandatory for the Municipality to comply with it.

What should a PLATEMUN or PTM contain?

The basic structure of the plans is as follows:

• Regulatory Framework on which it is based
• Description of the physical, natural and social environment of the Municipality.
• Analysis of the risks that may occur in the Municipality.
• Organization and structure of resources and resources in case of emergency.
• Operability of the Plan.
• Bases for the implementation and maintenance of the Plan.
• Complementary annexes for a better understanding of the Plan.

It should be noted that the Community of Castilla La Mancha has approved the Resolution of 02/03/2022, of the Ministry of Finance and Public Administrations, which calls for the granting of grants aimed at local authorities in Castilla-La Mancha for the preparation of municipal civil protection plans, so that municipalities have funds at their disposal for the elaboration of these plans.

At Ideas MedioAmbiental we have proven experience in developing these plans, as evidenced by the approval of Petrer Emergency Plan and the Alcalá del Jucar Emergency Plan and Forest Fire Plan. We encourage you to count on us to improve your municipality.