A simulated collision between a car and a tanker tested the Emergency Transport Plan of Fire Brigades and the Alicante Local Police, under the oversight of the Department of Safety. The exercise aimed to verify how quickly and effectively the emergency services would respond to a severe incident involving fuel spills and a fire, ensuring preparedness for real incidents that could threaten lives and the environment.
The drill demonstrated the readiness and coordination of responders as they managed a high-risk scenario. While no one wishes to face such emergencies, preparedness remains essential to protect people and property when extreme events occur.
The scenario depicted a car colliding with a tanker on a roadway near a gas station on the Ocaña road in Alicante. The impact caused a puncture in the tanker, releasing thousands of liters of diesel before the driver could regain control. The municipality was alerted, and emergency services, including Local Police, SPEIS, and SAMU Firefighters, were deployed to the scene. Four Local Police patrols secured the area, established a traffic perimeter, and redirected vehicles away from the danger zone.
Approximately twenty firefighters and four response teams arrived with a clear division of labor. One group focused on extinguishing the flames with foam, while another established a protective barrier using sandbags to contain the fuel and prevent contamination of the sewer network, drainage systems, and the broader environment.
The exercise also included rescue maneuvers to reach a seriously injured person. SAMU professionals treated and stabilized the casualty on site before transporting them to the hospital for further care.
A separate team used pneumatic wedges to seal the breach in the tank, while another team operated a water jet to safeguard the scene and reduce the risk of further fuel spillage.
Jose Ramon Gonzalez, a member of the Security Council, highlighted the gains in coordination, response times, and training procedures. He stressed the need to be prepared for very challenging emergencies that could occur in the real world and applauded the Alicante City Council’s security forces and medical staff for delivering a swift, effective response to the simulated accident.
According to the Police Department, when such incidents involve dangerous goods in transit, a Special Plan must be activated to manage transportation-related risks. This plan aligns with the Alicante Regional Contingency Plan and may involve the establishment of an advanced command center to guide the operation. The center would house the on-site coordinators from all responding units, including health services and logistics teams, enabling decisions to be communicated efficiently to the Central Emergency Coordination Point and Local Coordination Bodies for a cohesive response.