Valencia launches pilot emergency alert app in forest‑urban fire drill

The Valencia fire service tested a new municipal emergency‑alert platform, Alertes IV, during a simulated forest‑urban fire in the Devesa of El Saler. The pilot, run in collaboration with local residents, let firefighters exchange real‑time instructions with citizens, share evacuation routes and receive on‑site feedback. Mayor María José Catalá said the tool enables "rapid and direct" communication with the public, and the city has equipped it with satellite antennas to maintain service in case of total network loss. Developed by Armonia Tech Solutions SLU at a cost of €50,000, the app includes accessibility features for people with hearing impairments, the elderly and those with autism. After a summer‑long trial period, the city plans to roll the system out city‑wide and explore sharing it with other municipalities.

The trial also coincided with the launch of Valencia’s municipal forest‑fire prevention plan for the summer of 2026, which will reinforce the El Saler fire station with additional personnel and deploy new water‑cannon systems to protect the Devesa‑Albufera area.