On Tuesday, April 9, the municipality of Terrassa participated in a chemical emergency drill, coordinated by the Civil Protection Directorate of the Government of Catalonia. As part of the regional PLASEQCAT (External Emergency Plan for the Chemical Sector of Catalonia), three sirens installed by Lafcarr were activated to simulate a real chemical risk scenario.
This was the second time Terrassa took part in this type of civil protection exercise, which aims to verify the functionality of the sirens and raise public awareness about how to respond in the event of a chemical incident.
What Did the Siren Sound Like?
The simulation began at 10:00 AM with three modulated warning tones, each lasting one minute and separated by five seconds of silence. These tones indicate that the population must shelter in place immediately.
At approximately 10:10 AM, a continuous 30-second tone signaled the end of the confinement and the completion of the exercise.
What Should You Do During a Real Chemical Emergency?
According to the official self-protection guidelines from the Government of Catalonia (source), in case of a real chemical risk alert, the recommended actions are:
Go indoors immediately, either to your home or the nearest building.
Close all windows and doors tightly.
Turn off air conditioning, heating, or any ventilation systems.
Stay inside until authorities indicate it is safe to leave.
Follow official information via public channels such as @emergenciescat on Twitter or the Gencat mobile app.
Do not use your phone unless necessary, to avoid network overload.
If inside a car, exit immediately and seek refuge in the nearest building, as vehicles are not considered sealed spaces.
Why Terrassa?
The drill in Terrassa was part of a wider civil protection protocol due to the presence of LAMIRSA (Laboratorios Miret S.A.), a company classified under the SEVESO directive for its chemical activity.
Since 2018, three emergency sirens have been installed on Venus, Europa, and Esla streets, covering an estimated 843-meter radius. These sirens are part of the early warning system deployed by Lafcarr to ensure rapid communication in case of chemical incidents.
A Regional-Scale Test Across Catalonia
The activation in Terrassa was one component of a region-wide test conducted by Civil Protection, in which 89 sirens installed in 39 municipalities across Catalonia were activated between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM.
The biannual test serves to:
Ensure the technical operation and acoustic coverage of each siren.
Educate the population on how to recognize warning sounds and respond correctly during a chemical emergency.
The PLASEQCAT plan is a key part of Catalonia’s strategy for managing technological risks and protecting the public from industrial hazards.
Lafcarr’s Role in Public Safety
The sirens activated in Terrassa and other municipalities were installed and configured by Lafcarr, a specialized company in early warning and risk management systems for natural and technological emergencies.
These sirens use high-power acoustic signals, designed to be clearly audible across open urban and semi-urban areas. Combined with digital communication systems (such as mobile notifications and social media alerts), the sirens are an essential layer in multi-channel emergency response systems.
Conclusion
Although the drill was only a simulation, it played a crucial role in educating the public and testing infrastructure. Knowing how to respond when hearing a chemical alert siren can make a real difference in a high-risk situation.
As industrial risks remain a concern for many municipalities, systems like those installed by Lafcarr continue to be vital in ensuring early warning and coordinated public protection.
