Valencia's Emergency Response Faces Criticism Amidst Catastrophic Flooding

In the wake of one of Spain's most devastating disasters, Valencia remains entrenched in rescue operations following severe flooding that has wreaked havoc across the region. The scale of this catastrophe has necessitated an unprecedented mobilization of public officials to assist in rescue efforts and restore essential services. However, frontline workers, including police and firefighters, are voicing serious concerns regarding the lack of organization and resources from the Generalitat Valenciana.

Helios Martín de Vidales, a union representative for the UGT at the Provincial Consortium of Firefighters, expressed urgent needs for more equipment, stating, “We require resources because when the situation escalates as it has now, we are overwhelmed. We are at our limit.” The province of Valencia is home to approximately 1,250 firefighters, with 500 belonging to the Provincial Consortium, the primary firefighting body deployed in the hardest-hit areas. This consortium is primarily funded by the provincial government, which covers 50% of its budget, while the Generalitat contributes 30% and local municipalities provide the remaining 20%.

Martín de Vidales highlighted the dire conditions faced by firefighters, who have shifted their focus from routine duties to debris removal and search operations for missing persons. He lamented, “We have just enough firefighters and just enough materials, all under the pretext that we are a financial burden.” He noted that the entire provincial workforce has been engaged in grueling shifts of up to 24 hours.

While the provincial government acknowledges the firefighters' concerns, they argue that they have only been in power for a year, during which they have upgraded vehicle fleets and improved working conditions for many temporary staff.

In contrast, local police forces, numbering around 10,000 across 268 municipalities in Valencia, are facing different challenges. A local police representative, who requested anonymity, criticized the slow organization of police resources, which relied on communication between various municipalities and local police chiefs for several days. It was not until recently that Emilio Argüeso, director of the Valencian Agency for Security and Emergency Response, signed a resolution to coordinate local police efforts.

“This is far too late,” the officer remarked, noting that the resolution lacked specific deployment details, leading to issues such as inadequate accommodation for some officers. Argüeso himself admitted on social media that he only took command of the situation the day after the flooding began, raising questions about the response time.

Reports indicate that trucks arriving with aid were often unsure of their destinations, a stark contrast to the previous major flooding event in 2019, which had a dedicated coordination center for local police that proved effective. This center, known as Cempol, was dissolved in 2021 due to unpaid wages, leaving a gap in emergency management capabilities.

The Generalitat has stated that accommodations have been arranged for local police, including two designated pavilions and hotels. However, some officers have reported ongoing issues with housing for volunteers arriving to assist.

Albert Palacio, a spokesperson for the Copland police association, described the situation as chaotic. He recounted how, upon arriving in Paiporta, one of the worst-hit municipalities, they had to convert a damaged auditorium into a relief center for victims, despite being informed of an existing aid center located two kilometers away. “Each municipality has taken charge of the situation as best as they can. The management has been disastrous,” he concluded.

As Valencia grapples with the aftermath of this calamity, the calls for improved organization and resources from emergency services personnel underscore the urgent need for a more effective response strategy in times of crisis.