Spain frees up national radio frequencies for regional emergency use

Spain's government has streamlined communication protocols for emergency services by releasing national radio frequencies. Regional emergency and civil protection teams can now operate outside their usual areas without needing prior administrative approval. This significant change, approved by the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Function, aims to remove bottlenecks and accelerate operational responses during catastrophes.

Previously, intervention teams were required to obtain specific temporary permits from the Secretariat of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructures each time they needed to use additional radio channels beyond their designated geographic boundaries. The new regulation eliminates this bureaucratic step, granting immediate access to these frequencies throughout Spain, including its islands and autonomous cities.

The allocated frequencies are designated for Private Mobile Radio (PMR) networks, commonly used by firefighters, forest brigades, health services, and civil protection units via portable devices like walkie-talkies. Coordination of these channels will fall under the direct command of the on-site emergency operations leader. While regional administrations normally manage a set of frequencies confined to their territory, recent severe wildfires have highlighted the necessity for cross-regional collaboration and additional communication channels.

Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Function, Óscar López, stated that the intensity of recent climate events necessitates regulatory adaptation. "Climate emergency forces us to be better prepared for more virulent fires, which require the collaboration of personnel from different places," López said in an official statement. He added that the measure anticipates increasingly frequent scenarios to expedite public service communications.

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Climate emergency forces us to be better prepared for more virulent fires, which require the collaboration of personnel from different places.